BOWLING GREEN HOT RODS
The Bowling Green Hot Rods
The Bowling Green Hot Rods are excited to announce that, as part of Major League Baseball’s Minor League restructuring, Bowling Green has been invited to continue its Tampa Bay affiliation and move to the A-Advanced level. For the past 12 years, Bowling Green has proudly supported Tampa Bay Rays player development and looks forward to the opportunity to continue in this capacity for years to come.
“We are very pleased to have the opportunity to be extending our affiliation with the Rays,” said Jack Blackstock, the Hot Rods principal owner. “The Rays consistently have one of the top farm systems in professional baseball, which translates to fabulous teams and exciting professional baseball in Bowling Green.”
As an affiliate of the Rays, the Bowling Green has watched over 54 Hot Rods rise to the majors featuring nine MLB All-Stars, two gold gloves, one platinum glove, and one Cy Young Award winner. This past post-season 10 Hot Rods alums played in the 2020 World Series for both the Rays and Dodgers. The Rays farm system was rated #1 in baseball by several national publications and the list of successes will continue to grow.
“The Hot Rods being invited to be a part of the 120 MiLB teams selected by Major League Baseball is a testament to the city of Bowling Green, the great facility we are so lucky to have, our community partners, and our entire staff,” said Eric C. Leach, Hot Rods Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. “Moving up a level to Advanced A will allow our fans to see even better baseball than we’ve had in the past. We are excited for the future of Bowling Green baseball.”
While a schedule and which league the Hot Rods will be in for the 2021 season is not available yet, fans can put down a $100 deposit on full and partial season tickets for next year HERE. Visit www.bghotrods.com for more information as it becomes available.
Message from the GM - Eric Leach
Bowling Green Hot Rods are the High A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. We have been in Bowling Green since 2009 and had a partnership with the Rays during our entire existence. The entire 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19, but we have been approved to open and have a season in 2021. We will be limited to start the season to 50% capacity with seats spread out around the ballpark. Fans can expect to have a temperature check, masks are mandatory when inside the ballpark common areas, and anytime you up from your seats.
This season we will still be having Fireworks every Friday night and all of the great fun promotions that fans have come to love at Hot Rods games. We will be having giveaway items all year long to be highlighted by our Wander Franco Bobblehead on Friday July 2nd. Because of the reduced capacity we will be having Red, White, & Blue Weekend July 2,3,4th with Fireworks every single night.
Several new things to welcome to the ballpark is Turbo, the Hot Rods official Bat Dog. Turbo, if permitted because of COVID 19 will retrieve players bats and take game balls out to the umpire. The Hot Rods have also built 2 new Lawless Orthodontics Birthday Decks for fans to host their private birthday parties during games. The last new thing is the Hiller Outdoor Suite area that now has 3 outdoor gazebos that fans can rent for the game. Each one has outdoor furniture and tables.
New to the concessions experience is Fanfood. Fanfood is a food ordering app that fans can download and purchase food from. Fans will then be notified when their order is ready for pickup or can even have the food delivered to their seats. This will allow them to bypass the lines and enjoy more of the game all while helping out social distancing.