B.J. Upton hosts Celebrity Golf Classic; Rays promotional schedule, game times

January 23, 11:06 AMTampa Bay Sports ExaminerTed Fleming

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Less than a month before pitcher and catchers report to spring training, the Tampa Bay Rays B.J. Upton will host the first annual Celebrity Golf Classic to be held at the Hunter’s Green Golf Club in Tampa. It will benefit The Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Several teammates will join Upton along with local athletes and personalities.

St. Vincent de Paul provides three meals per day each day of the year for the hungry and homeless and offer night shelter and other services for those in need.

Upton took an interest in St. Vincent de Paul just blocks from Tropicana Field and wanted to help and by holding this tournament he hopes to raise money for the hungry, homeless and poor of St. Petersburg.

Registration begins at 9:45 am on the 27th with a tee off time scheduled for 11 am. The tournament will be followed by a dinner and memorabilia auction that will include signed jerseys, balls and memorabilia from superstars in all sports and will include many items from the 2008 American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays.

If interested in playing in the tournament please contact Latricia Goding at 757.532.8701 or 727.836.970 or email her at LaGoding@hotmail.com.

If interested in making a donation please make checks payable to St. Vincent de Paul and send to:

BJ Upton Celebrity Golf Classic
C/o Latricia Goding
1620 Sweetspire Dr.
Trinity, FL 34655

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The Rays will celebrate the opening of the 2009 home schedule with “Championship Week,” April 13-19, when the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox visit Tropicana Field. Championship Week will feature the first several of 32 dates on the Rays 2009 promotion schedule.

The Rays will raise the 2008 American League Championship banner at the home opener on Monday, April 13 against the Yankees and later that week will give away:
• replicas of the American League Championship rings to all fans on Tuesday, April 14 vs. the Yankees;
• commemorative American League Championship cowbells to all fans on Wednesday, April 15 vs. the Yankees;
• replicas of the American League Championship trophy to all fans on Saturday, April 18 vs. the White Sox;
• 2008 American League Championship pennants to the first 10,000 kids on Sunday, April 19 vs. the White Sox.

SEE ENTIRE PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE HERE

The Rays promotion schedule features five dates on which all fans in attendance will receive a premium promotional item. In addition to the keepsakes given out during “Championship Week,” the Rays will give away two figurines to all fans. On Saturday, May 16 vs. Cleveland, all fans will receive a special Evan Longoria 2008 American League Rookie of the Year figurine. This season fans will once again have the opportunity to vote on which Rays player they would like to see featured on an additional figurine, which will be given to all fans on Saturday, September 19 vs. Toronto.

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Rays home games will also start at new times for 2009. With several exceptions, Monday through Thursday and Saturday home games will start at 7:08 p.m. Friday home games will start at 7:38 p.m. and Sundays at 1:38 p.m. The Rays will also bring back the popular Summer Concert Series following eight Saturday home games from May 30 through September 5. Those musical acts will be announced at a later date.
(Information from the Rays contributed to this report)