Price to make pro debut with Rays

VERO BEACH, Fla. - David Price, the number one overall pick of the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball's 2007 First-Year Player Draft, will make his professional debut with the Vero Beach Devil Rays on Thursday, May 22 in historic Holman Stadium against the Clearwater Threshers. Price, who was shelved at the end of spring training with a minor elbow strain, had his final tune-up Saturday against the Yankees in an extended spring training game. He struck out 10 in five innings and flashed a fastball in the mid-90s.

The Vero Beach Devil Rays are also pleased to announce a weekend full of promotions and family fun for the week ahead, as they take on the Clearwater Threshers at Holman Stadium from Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25 and they want you to join in on the fun! As with every home game at Holman, early attendees to the park can take advantage of Happy Hour, and enjoy $1 small draft beers from the time the gates open until the first pitch!

Responding to the needs of their fellow East Coast Floridians, the Vero Beach Devil Rays, in partnership with the Florida State League, are organizing a "Wildfire Relief Drive" during its upcoming homestand at Holman Stadium on Thursday, May 22 through Sunday, May 25. The team invites all Vero Beach and Indian River County residents to aid affected families and participate by donating essential items. The Vero Beach Devil Rays will collect personal care items such as clothing, bedding, toothbrushes, children's toys or games; gift cards; baby items, such as diapers; and other much-needed items to support those affected by the devastating fires. In addition, checks made payable to the American Red Cross will be collected for those who wish to contribute funds to help in the relief efforts. The team will also hold a team autographed bat and ball auction at each game, with proceeds to benefit the Wildfire Relief efforts.

Thursday, May 22 is Thirsty Thursday, and fans can enjoy $1 small draft beers for the entire game! Friday, May 23 is Family Friday featuring $1 hot dogs and $1 sodas, and it is also Knothole Gang night! Knothole Gang members who have not picked up their official members-only t-shirt can do so at the ticket windows on the 23rd. Friday, May 23 the Knothole Gang members will be invited onto the field prior to the game to get autographs from Vero Beach Devil Rays players!

The Vero Beach Devil Rays will kick off its annual Indian River Federal Credit Union Big League Reader program for 2008 on Friday, May 23. The team will honor its 2007 Big League Readers in an on-field ceremony before the Vero Beach Devil Rays game that evening. The Indian River Federal Credit Union Big League Reader program is a summer reading program the Vero Beach Devil Rays have each year for elementary and middle school aged children. The children read books and in return earn free tickets to Vero Beach Devil Rays home games. Any child who reads 100 or more books during the summer will earn an item autographed by the entire Vero Beach Devil Rays team. The 2008 Big League Reader program will kick off on May 23, and will run until August 15.

The Vero Beach Devil Rays will wrap up their four-game homestand against the Clearwater Threshers with a 6 p.m. game on Saturday, May 24 at 6 p.m., and a 1 p.m. contest at Holman Stadium on Sunday, May 25. For Vero Beach Devil Rays ticket information please visit us online at www.vbdrays.com, call 772-569-4929, or visit the Holman Stadium ticket office two hours before gametime.