ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are exploring the possibility of using blue lights to tint the roof of Tropicana Field in hopes of giving the domed the stadium a different look as well as making it easier for players to track fly balls during games.
The lights are part of a new LED lighting system installed throughout the team’s home park. Plans to use them this year are pending approval by Major League Baseball, which is not expected to make a decision before the Rays open the season Thursday against the Houston Astros.
The club began testing the blue lights after breaking spring training camp in Port Charlotte this week, with players offering mixed reviews about how effective they might be in helping them track fly balls.
Testing will continue with no definitive timetable for deciding to move forward with the plan to use them during games.
The Rays played an exhibition game at Tropicana Field on Tuesday. The blue lights were turned on during the national anthem, but not during the game.