TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Rays and Suncoast Credit Union have officially launched the 19th annual “Reading with the Rays—Read Your Way to the Ballpark” initiative. The summer program challenges students from Pre-K through 12th grade to log 24 hours of reading over the summer break to combat summer learning loss.
To mark the start of this year’s program, Rays pitcher Ian Seymour visited Tampa Bay Boulevard Elementary School on Friday, May 15. Seymour spent time reading books to second and third-grade students.
“Reading broadens your mind. It can teach you that dreams can come true the way mine have. So anything I can do to give back and to show kids that they can accomplish what they want is special,” Seymour said. “It’s cool to read and reading can really change your life. I hope that they’re inspired to do so and participate in the program this summer.”
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Since its launch, the initiative has reached over 585,000 children across 12 Florida counties, totaling more than 3.7 million hours of reading. The program relies on partnerships with public library systems and education foundations in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Charlotte, Citrus, Collier, DeSoto, Hernando, Lee, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, and Sarasota counties.
Students track their reading progress using a physical or digital game card. Local library branches and Suncoast Credit Union locations monitor the participants’ milestones and distribute prizes. Among the incentives is a $24 Suncoast Credit Union Minor Savings Account voucher and two complimentary tickets to select 2026 Rays home games.
“Reading with the Rays is one of our favorite summer traditions,” said Bob Hyde, Vice President of Community Impact at Suncoast Credit Union. “This program promotes literacy, and also gives families a simple, joyful way to stay connected through reading. When kids pick up that game card and see how their reading can turn into real financial rewards and a savings account of their own, it turns learning into something empowering and long-lasting.”
Game cards are currently available for pickup at participating libraries and Suncoast Credit Union branches. Families can also find more information and download digital versions of the tracking cards online at RaysBaseball.com/Reading or RaysBeisbol.com/Leyendo.
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