The Rays have decided on their temporary home for the 2025 season: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida. Steinbrenner Field is the spring training home of the Yankees and the regular season home of the Tampa Tarpons, New York’s Single-A affiliate. Colleen WrightMarc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times were the first to report the news.
The Rays explained their decision, describing Steinbrenner Field as “the best-prepared facility in the Tampa Bay region to host regular-season Major League Baseball games” (per Topkin). Yankees managing partner Hal Steinbrenner weighed in on the decision with his own statement:
“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a Major League-quality facility for them to utilize this season. Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field. In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community — which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
The Yankees will continue to play their spring games at Steinbrenner Field, per the league, and the Rays will be business-as-usual in March as well, hosting their games at their annual home in Port Charlotte.
With regard to the regular season, Tim Kephart of the Associated Press reports that the Tarpons will use other fields at the spring facility. There will be upgrades made to the stadium prior to Opening Day to “ensure fans continue to have a wonderful experience,” per the league’s press release. Recent improvements have already been made to the facility itself, including upgraded lighting, a larger home locker room, and improved training and rehab setups. The Yankees, according to Kephart, will receive an additional $15MM in revenue for agreeing to host the Rays in 2025. That won’t come at the cost of the Rays’ revenue but rather insurance and other yet-unreported avenues.
10,387 seats (capacity) – cozy
It will fit in perfectly with the Rays’ team concept (shameless Major League reference)
What IS the team concept?
Why, a move to Miami, of course.
Still more than they usually draw…
Maybe Rays fans, but they might lose revenue on opposing team fans. I went to a Rays versus San Diego game at the Trop and I can’t tell you how many jerseys there were of Padres fans, so their revenue could still take a hit.
You should see it when. The Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs come to town!!! It’s all visiting fans
The – You are correct, the Rays do draw well when the visiting team is popular.
This is absolutely a horrific decision by MLB. I know I shouldn’t care because it helps my team, but I do feel for Rays fans. The team will lose a ton of money and will have a hard time signing quality free agents.
BTW – They are hosting the Phillies, Braves, Dodgers, Yankees and Red Sox for 21 games next season. Those are teams who have typically drawn 25K-32K per game in The Trop.
They will be losing a ton of revenue playing in a ST park.
I guess the hope then would be to draw sell out crowds to less popular teams as a means of curiosity to local fans
Isn’t it also a park without a dome? I see several doubleheaders for the Rays this upcoming season
As a point of reference, looking at the Tarpons schedule from last season they played a few Double Headers and had several games suspended due to weather. Granted evey year is different but i would expect something similar
I live 10 minutes from that stadium. Very nice Spring Training facility but not meant for 81 Major League games. They will have endless rainouts. The players will love playing in brutal Humidity from May thru September.
Rsox – Trust me, there will be very little demand to sit in a minor league ballpark during a Florida summer where the heat and humidity will be brutal and there will be a constant threat of downpours, lightning and high winds.
FACT: In Tampa from June thru September on average there’s a 43% chance of rain every day.
FACT: During the month of July it rains on average between 21-22 days during the month.
The humidity is so brutal in Florida it’s a proper noun.
Rsox – Exactly!
And let’s use some logic here …..
Why is the Rays AAA team located in North Carolina instead of Florida?
Why is the Rays AA team located in Alabama instead of Florida?
Why is the Rays High-A team located in Kentucky instead of Florida?
Why is the Rays Single-A team located in South Carolina instead of Florida?
And the Rookie League team in Florida? Season ends in July.
Fever – “This is absolutely a horrific decision by MLB. I know I shouldn’t care because it helps my team, but I do feel for Rays fans. The team will lose a ton of money and will have a hard time signing quality free agents.”
The Rays stadium is unplayable because of damage from a natural disaster. Steinbrenner Field is 21 miles away and in Tampa, which from my understanding, is way more convenient for fans to go see a game. An alternative could have been they played the season in Montreal. Now that would be horrible for the fans. So it sounds like a good decision for the fans, unless you have other details that suggest otherwise.
Also, why would it make it hard for them to sign quality free agents? Everyone knows this is temporary.
BTW – The word “horrific” is a little strong, don’t you think?
prov – Convenient for fans in the Tampa area. What about the fans in St Pete and Southeast of St Pete? Tampa traffic is horrible, far worse than St Pete.
Montreal stadium is under repair and therefore not an option.
Good decision for the fans? When popular teams visit, attendance will be around 60% less than what it would be in The Trop.
From June thru September weather conditions will be awful, high heat and humidity along with constant threats of rain, lightning and high winds.
That adversely effects fans who have become accustomed to perfect climate controlled game conditions.
Players want the comforts of a ML stadium. They don’t want to deal with high heat and humidity, rain delays and weather related postponements. All of which will surely occur from June through September.
You never wondered why the Rays’ AAA, AA, Single A & High A teams are all based outside of Florida?
Or why every Southern MLB team has a domed or retractable roof stadium except Houston?
I guess this is one of those things where some people need to see it happen for themselves. Check back with me after next season, then we can look at 2025 attendance and rain delays and weather related postponements.
Wait a minute …. Houston has one too!
So every Southern MLB team …. Astros, Rangers, DBacks, Marlins, Rays all have climate controlled stadiums!
None of their options were good. A AAA stadium in Tampa may still have been their best choice.
So now the St. Pete fans just have to suffer through the same traffic that the Tampa fans usually do.
Of course they’re going to lose revenue from playing in a AAA stadium without a roof, but what’s the viable alternative where they don’t lose even more revenue?
Fever – I still point out it’s a temporary situation and all players know it. If a free agent won’t sign with the Rays because of a temporary solution to a natural disaster, then they probably won’t be a good clubhouse guy either. Prima donnas never are.
As for fans, my understanding is the biggest complaint about the Tropicana is where it’s located causing most of the fan base to cross the bridge in commuter traffic with people leaving Tampa at the end of the day. This is against traffic so it shouldn’t be an issue for the people in St. Pete going into Tampa for a night game. Again, it’s a 21 mile drive.
Since you have formed an opinion on behalf of players and fans, what is your solution? I haven’t seen you proffer one yet.
Lan – I had been proposing to share Miami, a beautiful climate controlled MLB stadium and baseball fans who would embrace a team that is much better than anything the Marlins have produced over the past several years.
As I’ve been saying, more than 25% of their home games would be against teams that have massive followings. The attendance for those games would be at least double what they would be in Steinbrenner Field.
prov – Unfortunately many MLB players could already be classified as Prima Donnas. The Rays are known for giving out 1-year or 2-year free agent contracts, why would a player want an uncomfortable experience when there’s 29 other teams they could play for?
No offense but I’ve been posting my preferred solution many times under many of these articles – share the Marlins stadium.
Second option, find a way to play in their AAA or AA park from June thru September. There would be better attendance and fan interest because people in those areas are already familiar with many of the Rays players.
This would have been fine if they could have fixed the Trop by the end June. I don’t see why they can’t? They have almost 8 months.. It should have been started already.
Cleaver – Yeah I don’t understand either why the repair timeline changed from April 2025 to March 2026. I haven’t seen an explanation anywhere.
Much like the Metrodome in Minneapolis (which only had tears in a few panels when the blizzard brought the roof down), there are no “spare parts” to repair the roof, so they literally need to manufacture a facility to manufacture the replacement roofing panels. On top of that, I believe I read that the teflon coated fiberglass panels used for the original (six acres worth) are no longer considered ‘safe’ to manufacture/use , so they’ll need to come up with a new material and refigure a lot of engineering to make it work.
They will be losing a ton of games as they play like a ST club. They already lost a ton of revenue when WF started thinking with his wrong head !!
Fever – “Unfortunately many MLB players could already be classified as Prima Donnas.”
Totally agree.
“No offense but I’ve been posting my preferred solution many times under many of these articles – share the Marlins stadium.”
Not offended. Missed that but I believe that solution would totally disenfranchise the fanbase for sure.
I like the their solution but have no dog in the fight as an Angels fan.
Your concerns are valid, but what choice do they have? Go play in Miami under a similar set-up?
Im a little surprised they don’t play in their own Spring Training set up. But it sounds like the Tampa Yankees facility is closer to MLB ready level.
And remember… they don’t sign many MLB free agents anyway. This won’t affect them in that aspect that much.
Miami.
@FPG
Please provide me the list quality Free Agents they have signed in the past. As for revenue, hike the ticket price when those teams come to town. Unlike every other team, the Rays are likely to fill their ballpark nightly.
How many AAA teams are in FLA? Probably so many teams have spring training sites that don’t require large capacities for a month of exhibition games, that fitting the higher level teams in, as well, doesn’t work out.
How far from Tampa? If games are played 100 miles from the fan base, you don’t have a fan base.
prov – Why would Rays fans be disenfranchised? They don’t attend the games! This year they had 26 games with a paid attendance of under 14K. Many of those include corporate tickets that they couldn’t even give away to clients or employees. That’s one thing people here don’t realize, a good portion of the paid attendance represents seats purchased to be comped. People use those tickets not because they are Rays fans, but because they enjoy the VIP experience with the free food and beverages, private lounge, etc. You think VIP’s are gonna want to attend games in a ST park without the amenities and with the bad weather conditions? The seats behind home plate at The Trop normally go for $500+ ….. you think corporations will pay similar amounts for homeplate seats at Steinbrenner Field?
And here’s something to consider, Miami is a much larger city with a lot more extremely wealthy companies and individuals. The Rays playing there would create additional demand and turn many into Rays fans.
I am not a Rays fan but I have a chihuahua in this fight because I do usually attend 4-6 games a year in The Trop. My team almost always plays there in April and September, I will probably attend the April series at Steinbrenner Field but it’s very doubtful I will attend the September series.
I’ll be paying close attention to the Rays attendance next season, knowing the numbers will likely be fudged with $5 tickets to many of the games.
Let’s see how good MLB’s solution is, time will tell.
kelly – Ironically the Rays ST stadium was severely damaged by a hurricane just two years ago, they didn’t bother to add improvements because the demand just isn’t there. It holds only 7,500 seats.
The Rays sign plenty of free agents, it’s just the players they sign are not stars and the contracts are usually for 1-2 years.
stymee – We are talking mid-level free agents, obviously not stars. The Charlie Mortons, Corey Klubers, Jake Odorizzis, Amed Rosarios ….. come on man, don’t tell me you aren’t aware of all the free agent signings. They never hold onto their homegrown players for very long, so obviously free agent signings get them through the constant churn.
They already DO hike ticket prices for premium opponents, it’s called Dynamic Pricing. Clearly you haven’t been to a MLB game in decades! LOL!!
To equal the revenue … since a team like the Dodgers would draw at least low 30’s in The Trop, that means in Steinbrenner Field they would have to TRIPLE all ticket prices. The people who can afford $300+ for average tickets are not the type of people that would sit in a ST park with brutal weather conditions and a constant threat of rain.
It’s a shame we have to wait so long to show many of you how much of a failure MLB’s decision will be. And unfortunately we will have to wait until April 2026 for next year’s revenue figure to come out.
I’ve got a really good memory ;O)
Fever: Not the Braves.
Fun fact.
They’re not “visiting.”
They just refuse to support the local team because their roots are in one of the other 15 teams that call Florida home during the spring.
Fever – “I know I shouldn’t care because it helps my team, but I do feel for Rays fans.”
“Why would Rays fans be disenfranchised? They don’t attend the games!”
The handful of Rays fans who go to games will be disenfranchised if the team plays in Miami. You can’t “feel for the fans” and then say they don’t matter. You’re talking out of both sides a bit there.
Anyway, the team should stay local and this sounds like the best solution.
Thought that said Tampa Tampons for a sec…
Well, there’s that, and then there’s also the Tarpons.
Baseball proving once again it is a great league of forward thinkers and planners under Manfred. Will have 2 teams playing in Minor League Stadiums in 2025. Well played Sirs.
At least they stopped the bleeding with a place to play.
I mean… I’m no fan of Manfred, but I don’t think anyone had the roof blowing off the stadium on their Bingo card. Where else should they play? Any other MLB stadium is at least a few hours drive – it’s hard enough to get their own fans to drive across the bay to get to the stadium.
Yeah because who would ever think that a hurricane could hit Florida? That’s just insane. Odds are one in a million. Lets not forget the forward thinkers in Florida who rig ballot measures they don’t like to fail and decide NOT to pay the insurance on their building to cover the cost of putting the roof back on. Manfred might not be the only one to blame, But he’s certainly at the very top end of the list. Who would ever have a legitimate contingency plan in case a hurricane destroyed a baseball park in Florida? Like I said it would take forward thinkers not Cro Magnons.
I’m willing to bet that the Marlins have no clue what they would do if one hits Miami and destroys their stadium. Let’s hope the new stadium has a, Gee IDK, Drainage system in the plans in case it happens again maybe? But probably not. Playing outside in Florida in 100% humidity would probably kill more people than a hurricane. And neither team really has enough fans to afford losing more.People are usually good at figuring out what to do AFTER a disaster. I have no such illusion about Florida. They’re not real smart. The smart ones are already fleeing in droves.
You sound pretty ignorant. A little sour about last Tuesday are we?
Just pointing out what is considered normal in MLB and Florida. Stupidity on a grandiose level. And we ain’t seen nothing yet. Bachman Turner Overdrive.
I’m not sure what you think Manfred should have done about the Tampa situation. Was MLB supposed to build a spare stadium somewhere just in case a natural disaster renders a team’s stadium unusable? The A’s situation is a mess that Manfred and the owners have to own, but not Tampa. Any team that loses their stadium to a natural disaster will have to scramble to find a place to play.
What I can’t figure out is why they can’t have new cloth roof in place before June?
Not if they hadn’t cancelled their insurance policy before the NEW Stadium was built they wouldn’t! They said the roof could have been repaired and been up before opening day. Except, Whoopsie, Somebody decided to put the money in their pockets and stop paying the premiums. So by stealing a few bucks now they lose all the revenue by having a stadium with 20,000 less capacity and lost revenue to the team and by way of taxes the morons of St. Petersburg. How’s that gonna work out? Geez does anybody think about anything anymore?
It could be. See the article here in this site. But the geniuses of Tampa Gvt. Decided it wouldn’t pay the 55 million themselves because they let the insurance policy lapse to save a couple of bucks Cleaver. Einstein type thinking. Tell me would it be worth the revenue they’d get back at this point by taxing every Beer, Hot Dog and Ticket for the loss of 20,000 seats? I’d like to think they’d make that money back and then some. But like I said, Einsteins they are not.
Listen to him he knows everything
So…………. You’re saying that everything I said DOESN’T make perfect sense? Still waiting for you to like…….Bring anything INTELLIGENT to the conversation. Got a feeling I’ll be here for quite awhile.
Do you think it’s alright, to leave the boys with Uncle Mikey? Uh, nope!!
Well first of all nobody anywhere said it was going to be repaired by opening day 2025. I live here and drive past Tropicana Field every single day. You have no idea what people lost here, lives ruined,people without homes. Baseball has been played outdoors here in the summer time, is it ideal? No. But what were the rays suppose to do? God forbid MLB gets involved to help but always willing to put their 2 cent in. The stadium is a total loss. Get over it
Tropicana Field Can Be Fixed For 2026 Season
By Darragh McDonald | November 12, 2024 at 2:21pm CDT
Saw it right here. But I guess it does say 26. But the point is still the same. I’m sure they could make the money back in the 26,27 and 28 seasons or whenever the new one is supposed to be done. But like I said, Needs forward thinkers. None around apparently. Probably with a little effort it could be done sometime this season.
Forward thinking on what? The city of St Pete owns and operates the Trop not the Rays, they already have to digest the costs of redevelopment and decided to take a gamble on reducing insurance premiums on a building that has numbered days, which clearly in hindsight was foolish. Not to say the city didn’t shoot themselves in the foot but it is what it is now, knowing the roof was 10 years past its life expectancy per the original builder
Sorry. That exactly kinda proves my point more than anything. They didn’t upgrade the roof, Make plans for what was to be done in case of disaster, Natural or otherwise, let the insurance lapse on a major source of income for the city and as far as I know still haven’t even finalized the plans for the new stadium and now have none much less 2. What is so FORWARD thinking about any of that? Seriously? OK.
The City of St. Petersburg, a blue city, decided to reduce the insurance coverage. The state of Florida had nothing to do with it.
Cities don’t print money. If you had an old crappy car you were going to get rid of soon why would you keep top of the line insurance on it? You wouldn’t
You would if it was a major source of income for your City? At least I would. Especially if it was basically Beachfront Property in Florida.
It’s the Manfred Mind Control Theory. He tells the owners what to do, not the other way around. Once you believe in the MMCT, anything is possible.
I’m surprised they’re feeling blue. I always thought the good people of St. Petersburg had a song in their heart and pep in their step.
@Unclemike FlA has buildings codes that account for and anticipate inevitable threats such as hurricanes. Just as CAL has codes to be prepared for things such as earthquakes. Unfortunately tho even under best preparation weather can be unpredictable and error proofing will have its vulnerabilities.
MIN had a dome collapse due to snow. So problems will happen from time to time. These are very large facilities so there is exponentially more space for vulnerabilities.
As far as the larger facilties and vulnerabilities, that plays a role in not having this excessive extra drainage system moth balled sitting idle. It would be costly to maintain and much more threat of unforseen failure or other possible issues having that type of underground system just sitting. I work in a 3.3M sq ft facility, we and building maintenance falls to an extent into my realm. When voided underground areas are rendered obsolete or not to be used regularly they are filled in per EPA guidelines. Which becomes an issue with large facilities due to rampant ground contamination in the mid 20th century due to long term effects we had yet to have any data on as a society.
Then there’s the safety issues associated with maintaining confided spaces and those issues exponentially compound when sitting idle as well.
I agree at quick thought it seems mind boggling to not have an emergency drainage system. It’s not that easy tho, facilities that large do have extra drainage capacity when build and account for the structure and use of the building. For a pro stadium it is just not feasible to have spare drainage capacity for if the stadium ever possibly had to be transformed. As for these retractable roof stadiums, they are built with anticipation of being used as such and the drainage is accounted for and maintained accordingly. Having volumes and a minimal but limited spare drainage capacity is factored in and test mathematically with all available needed historical data.
The sheer volume of drainage facilities that large push camn be mind blowing. You get 1/2-3/4 IN’s in a very short period and having paths somewhat determined and built to accommodate is crucial, be it open or closed stadium. Either way you are draining a ton of surface area to limited drainage and that volume of water becomes a quite powerful force. Disturbances in the drainage will turn sewer caps into projectiles. Water is guided by path of least resistance and gravity. It will almost always create a path when one bot available and a mothballed system of that scope would sprout numerous vulnerabilities over time.
Uhhh right ballot measures to do what??? Someone forgot to take there meds today?
The Rays could’ve played in Oakland, lol.
Oakland Rays sounds like a name locals might like.
Oakland is a debacle and no doubt Manfred should receive major heat for it, but how in the world is Tampa a “planning problem” for Manfred? It’s his fault the hurricane hit and there is no other MLB stadium in Tampa? I hate the guy too but c’mon.
The only other option would be to have the Rays play in a different city away from their fans (which is exactly why you’re mad at him for the Oakland debacle).
It’s not really MLB’s fault. The A’s are mostly Fisher’s fault, and the Rays are due to an act of God.
Even with insurance, they’d still need a place to play next year while they fix the stadium.
Meanwhile, is it even worth fixing the stadium with them due to move out of it soon, anyway?
I don’t know where you saw that BS, but the roof is certainly NOT fixable anywhere near that soon.
Insurance is one thing, but under normal circumstances, it would’ve been foolish to upgrade the roof for a stadium that won’t be around for much longer. In hindsight, that would have been ideal, but given the minimal risk of such a problem occurring, at the time the better economic decision was to focus on getting the new stadium built.
Lan – Good chance the new stadium funding could be killed. So yes, The Trop must be repaired.
If the shoe fits…
So the Gulf teams should be required to build backup stadiums? Is that what you are saying?
Can’t they get 150 old ladies to crochet a new one?
MLB deserves heat for the A’s situation because MLB gave full rights of San Jose to the Giants. Oakland could have moved to San Jose years ago but MLB wouldn’t let them.
They most definitely could if they curtailed a few of those elder-swinger events at The Villages.
@FeverPitchGuy We know the stadium deal has funding issues now, but they didn’t know that before the hurricane hit, so they still had no reason to reinforce the roof in advance.
Even San Jose was mostly the A’s fault for giving that territory away back in the ’90s in the first place.
Sure, you can blame them but Walter Haas (at the time A’s owner) did it for free to help keep the Giants from moving to Florida. You can say they’re suckers for that but you would think MLB would step in or that the Giants would return the favor.
They were suckers, since they should’ve at least gotten compensation for giving up San Jose.
The Rays averaged 16,515 in 2024
11,026.
11,025.46
11,098.6.
and they sell out every game in 2025!! #Winning
They’ll still have a higher home attendance than the Marlins, despite 27,055 less seats.
“Give FL a third team, Rob!”
Maybe after the season they’ve found the stadium to their liking and offer to buy it from the Yankees. One never knows.
That would be amazing for a game down the stretch run or playoffs!
…doubt they’d actually play playoff games there!
@grr
Well that should be no problem as I doubt the Rays even make it to the playoffs.
That sounds like enough seats to comfortably fit all the fans from a normal Rays game AND a normal Marlins game. MLB just need to exit Florida immediately because it will never really work.
Not after they put metal folding chairs along the first and third base lines
TWO opportunities to see MLB action in minor league facilities (Sacramento)
May be another considering they’ve been having an annual celebration game, and last year it was Rickwood Field in Birmingham. Field of Dreams won’t be ready until 2026.
Cracker Jack Stadium holds more same with Putero Rico where Expos played. No place on West Coast other then where Earthquakes play but Giants would say no and Portland might have a MLS Team.
11,026 according to their website.
Interesting one must search the comments section for information “about” the “article….”
Chuck – Yeah I get a little frustrated about that too, but I also am understanding because this is a very busy time for these writers and they pump out a lot of content.
In case you missed it, here’s some facts that haven’t been mentioned in recent articles here:
1) St Pete mayor Welch has a strong desire to repair The Trop.
2) Whatever repair costs not covered by insurance would likely be covered by FEMA.
3) Repairing The Trop would delay the new stadium opening until 2029.
4) Newly elected members of the Pinellas County Commission have expressed reservations about approving the necessary bonds for constructing a new stadium, which could kill the new stadium altogether.
So bottom line, the Rays could be playing in The Trop 5 years from now. Wouldn’t that be a hoot!!
Tampa Rays
I really hope they make the playoffs and play there.
So do I.
What would be best would be an ALCS comprised of the Rays vs the A’s. A spring training site vs a city the team thinks so little of they won’t include it in their name.
Hi flew
No one cares what Fisher calls them, local fans are proud to support our Sacramento A’s.
And it is Sacramento A’s not West Sacramento A’s, no one calls them the Inglewood Rams or Santa Clara 49ers, which are the cities where those stadiums are technically located.
They WILL NOT be playing post season baseball in Sac (from MLB) even if they can somehow get to the playoffs with all that works against them (Fischer)…..to top it off tey can’t even be rewarded with HOME FANS….typical Anti A’s behavior (some deserved by ownership, but not fans)
Inglewood Rams sounds more badass.
And the Inglenook Rams sounds more winey.
Lol it’s not even Sacramento A’s, get a grip. West Sac is a stepping stone.
They’ll move the playoffs to Texas stadium. Again
Well, at least they’re playing in Tampa.
they’re the Tampa Bay Rays, not the Tampa Rays – the bay is in between Tampa & St. Pete (where they usually play)
Which is why nobody wants to go to St. Pete. I would expect higher attendance at George Steinbrenner than at Tropicana.
How the hell could the attendance be higher at a ballpark that doesn’t even hold as many people as their average attendance at Tropicana Field?
It’s only the fact that the Trop is at a bad location. If you live in Florida, it’s pretty well known, but yes, they will have less attendance but probably more if it were a regular sized stadium
Because the Trop is in a horrible location nowhere near Tampa Bay (the city, not the body of water). If you’re coming from the Tampa side of the bay or the Bradenton side of the bay, you’re gonna be sitting on a bridge for at least an hour on both your way in and your way out, and the traffic and parking in St. Pete are not exactly smooth experiences either. Nobody wants to put up with all that to go to St. Pete, so yes it’s entirely plausible they could do better numbers at a smaller ballpark in Tampa proper (or even Clearwater/Dunedin) than at a bigger one in St. Pete.
there are just as many people on the St. Pete / Clearwater side of the bay than in metro Tampa – Steinbrenner Field will be easier for everywhere north and east of Tampa, but St. Pete is easier for areas to the south (Bradenton, Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Naples etc.)
Steinbrenner Field only holds 11,000 – the Rays AVERAGED 16,515 per game at the Trop… meaning each game will be 5,515 LESS attendance
It has never taking me more then a couple minutes to ever cross the bridge into Tampa.
That’s their average with paid tickets. It’s likely closer to 11,000 if you count every fan in attendance.
And clearly the sports fans are on the other side of the bay because the Bucs and Lightning have never had attendance issues. Despite consistently posting very respectable TV ratings numbers, the Rays can’t even fill up their building for playoff games. Why do you suppose that is, if location/ease of access isn’t the issue?
It holds 11,000 right now. Yes, obviously you are right if that holds. But surely they are going to find a way to expand the capacity as part of the unspecified “upgrades” they will be seeking to make before the season. I could also be right, if they expand by enough seats to make the argument possible. We’ll see in the spring, I guess.
Agree you would think they would try to create some additional capacity before 2025 season starts.
There is always some small SRO room but many people want dedicated seats – others are content to wander around except there won’t be a concourse like in many major league stadiums so ? smh
It’s MacGyver Time! Get Creative.. Think Outside the Box
Sell additional drone – pay per view subscriptions?
Olympics style temporary seating?
Ring – No offense but that’s 100% false.
Rays attendance is driven by the visiting teams, which means it fluctuates quite a bit. There wasn’t 16.5K at every game. That average was driven up by 12 games against the Red Sox and Yankees, and also other popular teams visiting.
Next year the Phillies, Braves and Dodgers are all playing games in Tampa. They would have drawn at least 29K per game in The Trop. Because they will be playing in Steinbrenner Field, you’re talking 18K less per game times 21 games, over 400K less in total for just those 21 games.
GMS holds 11,000 now, but the outfield has a picnic/bar type area with tables. If they install temporary bleachers, they can probably fit a couple thousand more, if the demand is there.
Fred – Paid is all that matters, it’s what drives revenue.
Dirty – Why?
1) No fan favorites because they’ve been getting rid of star players ever since Longoria left.
2) Tons of locals who are snowbirds, they live in Florida only during the winter months.
3) Tons of visitors in the winter, nobody vacations in Florida during the summer.
4) Tons of transplants with loyalty to out of state MLB teams
5) 81 home games a year compared to 8 for football and 41 for hockey.
You can’t compare different sports.
They still get the money from the no shows, and tt’s not like they can give away access to the extra seats for the no shows, so paid attendance is what matters for both revenue and ballpark capacity.
The location is likely part of the problem, but the biggest difference between the Tampa Bay sports teams is that the people with the most money, the Snowbirds, actually live there during most of football and hockey season, unlike most of baseball season.
yes, it’s always been driven by visiting teams (as are MOST games for ALL teams – Yankees in the Bronx only sell out opening day, games against Mets, games against Red Sox, Old Timer’s Day & Postseason Games) where do you get 29k per game from?? the Rays haven’t even opened the top level for years so their CAPACITY is only 25,025… their only 4 sellouts last year were opening day against the Orioles and 3 of the 7 home games against the Yankees on 5/28, 5/29 & 9/4)… in 2025, ALL the games against the Yankees (and Red Sox) will be sellouts… yes, there will be 14,000 less tickets sold (UNLESS they add standing room or more bleacher sections to Steinbrenner Field) BUT they will be able to charge a lot more per ticket. Is it ideal? No. but they’re definitely NOT losing 18K per game for ANY games
“nobody vacations in Florida during the summer.”??? are you KIDDING??? try going to Disney in the Summer… try buying airline tickets to Florida in the summer… people go on vacation when the kids are out of school
Tampa Bay is NOT a city… it’s the body of water BETWEEN two cities, Tampa & St. Petersburg… the “NEW YORK” Giants & Jets (New Jersey), Yankees (the Bronx), Mets (Flushing, Queens) & Islanders (Long Island) don’t play in New York, NY (Manhattan), only the Knicks & Rangers do. Most of the fans for those teams have to travel over at least one, sometimes two bridges (or tunnels) to go to the games and none of them have had any attendance issues since the early 90’s.
not really fair to compare NFL teams with 8 home games & a national TV contract that stipulates local TV blackouts for non-sell outs… the Bucs sold out every game when they were 4-12 & haven’t had a blackout since 2012.
if the Rays were winning championships like the Lightning have been. they’d be selling a lot more tickets too.
Fever – I totally agree those are all issues facing the Rays too, but I also think they get overblown. Especially when it comes to local vs. out of town interest. Again, they’ve had no trouble at all getting people interested in the Lightning and the Bucs, which kind of defies the argument that there aren’t enough people there who care about the local market. Clearly there are, because they have supported a football team that’s been mostly a joke until Tom Brady arrived, and a hockey team in a state that is too warm for any kind of hockey culture to take hold like those you’d see in New England, Minnesota, or Canada. Of course it helps that the Lightning have been very good for most of their existence, but the Rays have been quite good for a long time too now and still have seen no corresponding bump in attendance. That those two teams have successfully built a following while the Rays have not while all three are facing the same structural issues with the Tampa market tells me something else is the larger root of the issue when it comes to the Rays.
One of them that I did not discuss but you are spot on about is number one. The way they’ve managed the team makes it hard for people to get attached because they have no idea how long any player’s tenure is going to be there beyond the general sense that it won’t be long. That grates on fans and prevents people from getting attached the same way those of us who were able to fall in love with a player or players as kids which just increases the bond you feel to your favorite team. No argument from me here. But again, this is a team that can’t even sell out playoff games. When there’s that big of a disconnect between people who watch on TV and people who actually show up, it seems pretty clear to me that the ballpark is the biggest problem. Not the only one, but the biggest one.
“Tampa Bay is NOT a city… it’s the body of water BETWEEN two cities, Tampa & St. Petersburg… ”
Thanks for clarifying. You might’ve noticed I’m aware of that when I repeatedly referred to the city by the name of Tampa, but good thing you were there to jump on one slip up I forgot to proofread for.
“Yankees (the Bronx), Mets (Flushing, Queens) & Islanders (Long Island) don’t play in New York, NY (Manhattan), only the Knicks & Rangers do. Most of the fans for those teams have to travel over at least one, sometimes two bridges (or tunnels) to go to the games and none of them have had any attendance issues since the early 90’s.”
Wow it’s almost like New York has the most expansive public transit system in the nation or something, who’d’ve thought?
Dirty – Appreciate your post and I agree with much of it. We both agree the constant churn of players is a big reason why the attendance is so low even when they put a competitive team on the field. But I still am positive the fact their football and hockey teams play far fewer home games than the Rays has a lot to do with those two teams drawing a higher percentage, it’s the old supply and demand thing. As does the fact Florida in the summertime has about a 50% lower population (residents and vacationers) than Florida in the wintertime.
I just don’t think crossing the Bay from the Tampa area is that big a deal, especially knowing how Sox fans from all over New England routine drive 2+hours each way to get to Fenway.
So we will have to agree to disagree on this one :O)
Absolutely. I don’t discount that being a big problem too. They likely work in tandem – it’s not a trek you want to make when they give you such compelling reasons not to. Enduring Boston traffic to get to Fenway when the Red Sox are good is a proposition I’d be willing to make in a summer like 2007, 2013, or 2018, but not one like 2023 or 2024, for example. But there should still be enough people who are willing to put that all aside to go in person for a playoff game. That’s the part I can’t get past that makes me inclined to believe the people who say their biggest hang up is that they don’t want to drive to St. Pete for the Rays. But we can certainly agree to disagree.
Why does that matter?
Very few people outside of Florida really cares about the logistical difference. And probably very few inside the state of Florida. When you ask people what city the Rays play in, they are going to say Tampa regardless of the facts.
people OUTSIDE of Florida (who didn’t do their homework) who fly into Tampa and stay at the Tampa hotels are the ones surprised (& angry) they have to travel to St. Pete.
So then we do agree that nobody wants to drive to St. Pete. Glad we are all on the same page finally!
smart. I said this would be their choice from the 1st week post hurricane! Also will allow Yankees if they wish to expand w bleachers in the outfield paid by Tampa . Keeps local fans engaged too. Scheduling will be interesting.
The Yankees will be getting something out of this. Hal is about money.
I’m sure he was very excited to get back a small portion of what he gives the Rays every year
Yanks are essentially playing 8 to 9 extra home games.
$15 million dollars
This article notes, per an AP article, that the Yankees are getting $15 million per year.
Also, while it’s more nebulous, there’s probably some goodwill for the Yankees in their relationship with the Rays (and small market teams in general) on votes that come before owners.
And, iirc, Hal lives a lot of the year in Tampa, so there’s some personal benefit for him within his Tampa social circles to be seen helping out the Rays post-hurricane.
Baseball didn’t need the poop show that a homeless Rays team would create along with the TV fiasco.
That conceivably could affect every team — buyers might start questioning baseball’s finances. That would affect every owner.
@pt57 – I agree.
It’s also in the best interest of all MLB owners to keep the Rays’ new stadium deal on track, which I think is best served by the Rays finding a temporary home in the Tampa-St. Pete metro area.
Realist – The new stadium funding could be killed as early as next week.
The rights to Franco.
James Franco?
Julio. He would still play
Even though he’s like 88, I agree Krukker!
He did get something. 15 million somethings
The Yankees are now the highest allocation of money on the Rays’ payroll…. Next closest is $10.5MM
Clip – $15M isn’t coming from the Rays.
Oh boy 2 teams playing in minor league ball parks next year, what a world class organization. #abolishfloridabaseball
In fairness, the other one is a minor-league team…
And both will probably increase attendance.
Blue Jays played in minor league parks in 2021 in Dunedin & Buffalo
Ring – Dunedin was only April/May and attendance throughout MLB was restricted at that time.
In fairness, the Tampa Bay Rays and Sacramento A’s were a lot better than teams like the White Sox, Anaheim Angels, Colorado Rockies, and Miami Marlins. A smaller stadium will provide fans with an intimate experience, like watching Bob Jovi play in a local bar.
Last I heard ,BOB Jovi still was playing in local bars. /s
Thanks, spell-checker
Congrats to the Rays on managing to find an even worse temporary home than the Trop. The Rays continue to lead MLB in fan experience…
Its crazy two MLB teams are playing at minor league stadiums this year. Rays v A’s ALCS?
And a Double A team is playing at an MLB stadium. White Sox get the better stadium lol
That’s not fair, a real AA team would win more than 41 games!
Such a better stadium that they want a new one.
RIP the Trop. You will be missed
by who?
At the risk of starting a shotstirm, correct grammar would be, “by whom?”
We’re all here to help. It takes a village.
*Shitstorm is your correct spelling.
I didn’t think I could it past our AI Overlord.
*could get it past…
I was surprised myself, but there it is.
See, it truly takes a village!
He presumably misspelled it intentionally to avoid upsetting the censors or anyone with delicate sensibilities.
Commenter: Ya think? No crap, Carson.
I went to the Trop just 2 years ago it wasn’t bad me and my nephew had fun watching the Braves play the Rays and Strider threw 6 shut out innings unfortunately it was the beginning of the end for Bryce Elder the next game he basically had his 1st bad outing after becoming an All-star and was at the time the NL leader in ERA and then the Rays put up 7 runs in 2 and 1/3 innings on him and he hasn’t been the same since……
So maybe it was the Trops fault afterall….
Then good riddance
Butt-Head: Periods at the end of sentences are a thing, you know.
No parole is what comes at the end of sentences where I come from
The Trop will not be missed.
The agreement is only for 2025. It says nothing about subsequent years until the new stadium can be completed or that the Trop isn’t going to be repaired for 2026. Reports of its demise may be premature
Everytime i see tampa tarpons
I keep thinking its tampa tampons
When a born female is hired (Rachel B) those things can get dispersed.
I don’t even want to know what the hell you mean
Rachel Broshahan? She’s actually very good in ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’.
You may wanna see an eye doctor then bruh. And possibly a brain doctor lol.
Put a tarp on it.
Tarpa Tampons?
Rachel Balk left some of her Tampons in the Tampa bullpen.
They are inside the rubber. Big problem.
Just don’t flush em!
Hoppers don’t like females junk.
That’s where hoppers and I differ…
Had a feeling this would happen. It makes sense based on the location.
Rachel Balk the Tampa Tampon chick? She still Tampons everwhere actually.
Glad that’s settled
Expect a lot of inflated offensive numbers next season thanks to 162 (between the A’s/Rays) games in minor league ballparks.
Based on location, and higher demand for tickets due to less inventory, they likely can increase ticket prices to more than cover the loss.
Good seats for the Sacramento A’s Opening series against the Chicago Cubs are going for thousands of dollars each. That won’t last but matching or exceeding Oakland ticket revenue should be very feasible.
Looking at dimensions of Steinbrenner Field vs. Tropicana:
Steinbrenner is bigger for LF line, left-center, center, and right-center.
RF line is the only one of 5 listed dimensions where Steinbrenner is smaller than the Trop.
Maybe being outside will help the distance?
Won’t the ball travel further in hit, humid air than in air conditioning?
You realize that GMS is EXACTLY the same dimensions as Yankee Stadium right?
Your posts are funny. Don’t think of that as a compliment.
Rays averaged 16,500 in 2024. Steinbrenner seats 11,000. The cost of bad timing, I suppose.
A year of less supply to jack up the demand for 2026? 🙂
unless they raise prices to meet demand
Possibly, but it’s hard to justify raising prices when they’re moving to an inferior facility.
Supply and demand does not require “justification”.
MLB – In this case there will be a lot less of BOTH supply and demand.
Some of you greatly overestimating the appeal of attending summer games in a Florida ST park will be in for a rude awakening.
Double your fun! Empty the park after 4.5 and bring in a new crowd!
Depending on their business interruption insurance, they might have coverage.
Isnt that by Shady Acres Mental Hospital???
I think Junior Caminero would be fair compensation for allowing the Rays to use the field
I have a feeling they are paying rent.
In your dreams. You can have Walls and Siri.
Your terms are acceptable
We see your walls and siri and raise you Xavier Isaac and Peter fairbanks, esq.
What if we just return Rortvedt and call it a done deal? We’ll throw in Walls for free!
Tarpon: it’s not just the A-ball mascot, it’s also the infield status on many summer evenings.
ISWYDT
Why on earth would they not play in the Trop?
Umm … it’s wrecked?
Jeez if only there was a way to search for that information. I hope someone answers you soon!
Hoping the original comment was a bad attempt at sarcasm.
Consider the source: It’s EHenderson, who never has a clue what he’s talking about.
@Blue Baron,
Delivering the heat!
Well, Señor Baron isn’t wrong… EH’S posts are just that. EH…
One of the common complaints over the years that tries to explain the Rays’ low attendance is the Trop’s location. Now that they’re pursuing a new stadium, still in St. Petersburg, it’ll be interesting if this year in Tampa gives ownership pause on their chosen location for the new stadium.
Not that the minor league stadium will allow for big crowds, but there could be more of a buzz for the team during this year that it’s more accessible to more people.
Rays don’t draw that well, but 1.3M fans last year. Even if they sell out Steinbrenner for the year their attendance will still be below 900K. So that is a pretty big hit to their attendance. Not sure if there are ways to increase the capacity of Steinbrenner field. For a year though that could work. But not for three, so lets hope they do commit to fixing the Trop.
Its 55mill to fix the trop, which is scheduled for demolition in 2yrs. Theres no way theyre fixing it.
But Insurance is going to cover about half of it. It really does seem like they are planning on fixing it.
The difference is a business interruption claim.
The Marlins should play at Steinbrenner Field and the Rays can play at the place in Miami. The Marlins don’t use the extra seats anyway, and the Rays can get a taste of what it’s like to play in a real stadium.
The Trop is a good stadium. Have you ever been, or are you just a hater who likes to take cheap shots without having been to a game?
Live in the Northeast, but been to the Trop for a couple of games. It’s not the Taj Mahal, but I didn’t think it was a bad place to watch a game. No idea how any outfielder was able to track fly balls against that roof backdrop, but overall it was an enjoyable experience.
I have watched a game or two at the Trop. Far and away the worst MLB park. The enclosed roof, lighting, and artificial turf made me think of the Japanese and Korean baseball clips I’ve watched. Baseball needs some form of open air, the sun shining, and the smell of freshly cut grass. Can’t beat it.
That said, however, they did try their damnest to boost the fan experience. They had some of the most hilarious video clips, and the park staff were among the most accommodating I’ve encountered.
Yes, I have been to Tampa a couple dozen times and I’ve been inside both The Trop and Steinbrenner Field. I think the Trop is easily the worst of the 13 or 14 major-league parks I’ve visited.
Fair enough. Have you been to Comiskey or Kauffman yet? Bottom 2 for me after visiting the Trop, Turner Field, Fenway, Shea, Miller Park, Comiskey, Kauffman, Minute Maid, Comerica, Wrigley, Nationals Ballpark, and PNC Park.
I haven’t made it to New Comiskey (whatever it’s called now). I went to Kauffman and didn’t think it was a bad venue — but there is nothing, and I mean nothing, by the stadium.
I bet we can agree that PNC is an awesome place.
I’ve been a Rays fan since the beginning, in fact had season tix the first few years. Stopped because I got tired of getting there in the 3rd inning. My opinion? It’s an embarrassment. Sure, AC, that’s about it. I’ll gladly give that up to dispose of the catwalks, as well as the inability to watch while heading to concessions. I’ll be at Steinbrenner, it’ll be nice to see the sky again while watching a game.
That would be dumb because the Marlins are, you know, the Miami team and the Rays aren’t.
The Rays, you see, are the Tampa-St Pete team.
You might want to tell the citizens of Miami that the Marlins are the Miami team. I’m not sure they’re aware.
A quick read and that said Tampa Tampons
So the A’s and Rays are both playing in minor league stadiums. Good thing MLB is bending over backwards to help a team like the Dodgers.
How is that helping the Dodgers? I’m missing the reference
Dodgers have been playing in same stadium for around 50 years; so how is mlb helping them?? Dodger stadium has issues but isn’t that bad; put a winning team on the field and fans will come
MLB also allowed a loophole for the Ohtani contract. richest team in baseball should be paying full luxury tax on that
There’s no loophole. Deferred money in contracts has always been a thing, and its net present value is calculated for CBT by discounting back at the federal mid-term rate.
The details are on pages 136-7 of the CBA, which is easy to find with a simple Google search.
@CCooper8920
Billionaire owners could just spend their money to build a facility.
Yeah totes. No biggie. We’ll just whack together a full on stadium with parking and all the fixins real quick in time for opening day lol! Amish barn raisings eat your heart out!
This is all on the Rays and Tampa Bay due to poor maintenance upkeep. This has nothing to do with big or small markets.
fred-3: No, it’s all on nature for whipping up a Category 5 hurricane.
Which only lead to an unusable stadium because the Rays/St. Pete neglected to update their roof years ago, like the engineers recommended.
Logistically, Tampa makes the most sense for a temporary home for the Rays. That baseball stadium has the most seating and available parking of all the local ballparks, plus the Rays are able to stay in their territory in 2025…
I wonder how much red tape the Bankee$ will put up. Bad decision. They should play in Orlando at Wide World of Sports.
Karensjer: No red tape. The Yankees agreed to it, and MLB and the Rays obviously think it’s the best option.
I love how everyone trolls the Rays and they usually come out winning.
We’ll see, but I suspect that the Rays years of remarkable outperformance (relative to their payroll) is now on a downward trajectory that’s unlikely to improve any time soon.
@goob
They will still be competitive, barely. I don’t expect them to make it to the postseason but I don’t think baseball can continue to allow this gap between the richest teams and the less richer teams to continue to grow because it’s not good for TV ratings if only 6 teams have all the talent. I expect they’ll address this in the next CBA. I also expect the Rays to rebound after this year. After a new stadium is (hopefully) built, maybe Sternberg will open his wallet just a little bit wider.
But this year = less money from a negotiated TV deal and now fewer attendance likely means Diaz/Springs/and anyone making north of 5 mil is liable to be traded before the season starts. That would mean the Rays would have no stars and probably be made up of inexperienced players.
Tell me about the ticker tape parade! Thanks.
Pointing out what a mess their ownership and local government is has nothing to do their Baseball Operations department.
“Everyone” doesn’t troll the Rays. I would argue that most fans wouldn’t even miss the Rays if they were contracted tomorrow. And I say this as a fan of another team, the Rockies, that would fall into that category as well. They are not the Dodgers or Yankees where everyone either loves them or hates them with very little in between. I believe every fan has 10 teams they like to some extent, 10 teams they hate to some extent, and 10 teams that are 100% meaningless to them.
Huge difference there. Rays actually have a winning base and a strong player development department. Rockies don’t. It’s apples and oranges.
Yeah, but the Rockies actually have more fans show up at the stadium when they are losing 100 games than the Rays do when they are winning 100. So maybe it all balances out in the end.
Besides, I was not saying the two teams were exactly the same. Just that they had one thing in common.
I misinterpreted…
This is going to be hard when they have to play the Yankees. Is this an outdoor field or is it a covered field?
ESPN.com is reporting that the Yankees will receive 15M for allowing the Rays to use their field (some of that coming from insurance, etc.).
The Rays will be paying the visiting Yankees to play them in the Yankees spring training facility. LOL — would be hilarious if NYY outbids next team for Soto now by 15M
The Rays are not paying this, its insurance paying it.
Rays will finally sell out some home games.
It’ll still just be the Yankees games. MLB made a tactical error in placing the Rays in the AL East. Since the Yankees play their spring games in the area, there was never really a way for the Rays to build a fan base for a team competing with the “other” home team in Tampa. I believe if the Rays and Marlins would have been switched with the Marlins in the AL and the Rays in the NL, things would have gone better in Tampa.
Eh I’d go to a game there
Wouldn’t be surprised if after appearing that both the athletics and rays have full stadiums be because of size that new stadiums aren’t built more where sections can be closed off to make stadium look fuller. This players could like the feel of a sold out crowd more than a empty stadium
Where’s the Tarpons going to play?
Same place?
Sounds like a scheduling mess.
A different field at the same stadium, its in the article.
Imagine the Rays playing the A’s in the ALCS.
The good thing about the Trop being damaged is that they will now invest $ in the repair and will therefore be more inclined to continue using the Trop for a longer time.
Gonna be a lot of rainouts, postponements, and cancelled games
Now give us Yandy as a thank you! lol : )
The players will be happy! All the strip clubs are right there on Dale Mabry.
Anyone know how much this is going to hurt the Rays pitching? I think I had the entire Rays rotation on some part of my draft list.
No one cares about your fantasy baseball team
I care! All the best to JoeBrady.
All the best to JoeBrady.
====================
Well, thank you, and good luck to you as well.
Maybe not mine, but there will certainly be a lot of others in here with fantasy teams.
Steinbrenner welcoming the Rays to a field that still has its Tarp-ons unlike the open-aired Tropicana field.
I’m not exactly sure how the scheduling will work with a minor league team because anybody who watches Minor League Baseball knows they are off Mondays( Mostly) and play 6 games a week in the same place every week to ease the traveling. That indeed sounds like it will be a rough way to schedule a season.
The Tarpons are supposedly going to use a different field there.
Probably the best solution to an obviously tough situation. Stated attendance for the Rays will take a hit, though I wouldn’t be surprised to see some temporary seats installed to get the numbers up toward their (not so great) attendance in 2024. The team might also get away with higher ticket prices because the park is much more accessible to the Tampa market.
All in all, it shouldn’t be a major financial hit for the Rays. They always squeeze every penny, anyway.
I’m sure that the Yankees are happy to have a few more home games for 2025. We all know that the Astros wouldn’t receive this kind of benefit.
Actually you can’t get from the Trop to Steinbrenner Field in under an hour during rush hour…
Insert attendance joke here
The Tampa Tarpons need to change their name to the Tampa Tampons immediately, regardless of any potential backlash.
That alliteration is simply God-tier.
Ask Michelle Beadle for the announcement of the new name. She’s got this.
And put the company tampon maker Tampax on their sleeves for endorsement
This has to be first time 2 minor league parks in play during regular season. Crazy
Something something Yankees still own the Rays…
Continue…? to have a wonderful experience.
Hmmm. Okay.
So assuming the Rays never play another game at the Trop, did this hurricane save them money on demolition costs?
What about mid-day heat and afternoon shower? Then, it’d become a steamer.
When the Rays host the Yankees, who is the home team? Do the Rays, should they make it, play all playoffs games at YS instead?
of course i’m sorry for the reason this had to happen but… it should be fun. might travel cross country to see a rays-yankees game. will also allow the sacramento a’s to feel like bigshots when they come to town: “look at this rinky dink place”
Glad to see the Rays staying local, but Steinbrenner Field??? This is Tampa, the thunderstorm capital of the US. Sometimes you can set your clock by when the evening thunderstorms arrive during the hot, sticky summer evenings. Doesn’t sound like too much fun.
look forward to september when the rays play a series of triple and quadrupleheaders
Don’t go!
Dodger fan here but the Yankees continue to be one of the classiest teams in MLB.
Under Hal it might be. Under George it was Bowery bad.
I can’t imagine they’re going to renovate Steinbrenner Field, fix up the Trop, and build a new stadium all at once. I think the Trop has hosted its last game.
Can it be expanded? I doubt they can add a second deck, but it looks like they possibly could add outfield seats.
If there’s space, they might bring in temporary seating.
Its the rays. They dont need to expand (aside from when a popular road team comes in)
I called it. Everyone was talking about other options but I said right from the start this made the most sense.
Right? Made total sense
$15 million extra for a Soto contract!
I was kinda hoping they’d come to Durham. The Bulls’ park is great.
@bcjd
love that park.
So why cant they play at Tropicana Field without the roof being repaired? Is it really any difference than playing outdoors at Steinbrenner Field? I don’t get it?
No drainage built in. Outdoor parks have a ton of systems to help the field and stands not get flooded.
It would be interesting to see a water polo version of baseball
A really nice park; saw a game there on a business trip. Nicer than some higher level
Parks ive been at!
Caught a game there Feb 23 and loved it. Great setup and concessions. Better than many other higher level parks so to speak
fLOLorida
You find time to point and laugh… because of a hurricane? U sad af
I hope they don’t repair Tropicana field, it floods to the top and they fill it with sharks. New aquarium.
Why not play where the Bucs play, Raymond James Stadium? I’m from SoCal and Angels shared the stadium with the Rams, the Dodgers played in the Coliseum. Up in Oakland A’s/Raiders?
Yes I know they would need to reconfigure the field for baseball but it would be interesting for a season or two.
I thought you meant PNC Park. No major league team plays there. Would have been perfect for Pittsburgh,
What if they make it to playoffs?
Are all Florida baseball fans stupid or just the ones on this site?
Both Florida baseball fans are stupid.
About the same as Indian fans I’d assume
Florida is bad Ohio runs a close second.
OF COURSE Manfred wanted the Rays to play in the Yankees’ minor league facility. If he could, he’d find a way to force them to enrich the Dodgers too. Just an embarrassment to this franchise and its fans.
It should be quite the competition between Sacto and Tampa as to which will provide the most miserable fan and player experience. True, Sacto can offer weeks of 100F+ highs but as the denizens of many of our most unendurable locales like to point out: “it’s a dry heat”. Tampa by contrast may be a bit “cooler” but the summer humidity starts at oppressive and goes from there.
Credit where credit is due to the wonderful folks who let the two cool and comfortable ballparks where the A’s and Rays plied their craft these many years degrade to the point where sewage and raccoons infested the one and the ancient roof blew off the other..
Sacramento cools off nicely in the evening thanks to the delta breeze. I r enjoyed many pleasant nights at that ballpark.
Day games will suck and there’s usually a week or so every summer without the breeze, but I think most nights will be fine.
The Rays and A’s meeting in the ALCS is inevitable.
I think it was a missed opportunity to appeal to another local market within Florida. I think Orlando or Jacksonville could have been good temp homes while also building the fanbase. But I also understand why they want to stay in Tampa Bay next year. I feel this was the most logical solution. I don’t count all the recommendations from the posters on this site.
And man, the mix of arrogance and ignorance of many people on this site knows no bounds.
Hey the Rays might be able to sell out a game or 2
There’s no great answer, so staying local and playing at the best facilities in the area makes sense.
I
Yankees Find a loophole around the luxury tax by having a tax recipient team pay them. Shouldn’t be allowed.
Citizen – Except the Rays won’t be paying a dime because you misread the article.
But the Yankees get $15 million. Rays likely paying part of it
Citizen – The Rays will be losing enough in ticket revenue, hence the reason why they won’t be paying a dime of the $15M.
But I wouldn’t be surprised if MLB will be giving additional secret compensation of some sort to the Rays …. like a new city out of state to permanently move to.
This is fine.
One more reason The Yankees are the greatest franchise EVER!
They helped The Rays, that’s cool but whatever.
Yankees hire Dave Sims to their radio broadcast for 2025 and beyond.
THANK GOD or Thank John Sterling for his excellent decision to retire.
No more rat hats, no more made up nicknames, no more obnoxious “Hey Nows” for random stuff, no more constantly hearing about the east coast, no more “stories” that he knows every person that has ever touched a baseball, no more goofy looking bug eyes, no more childhood/random “stories” about Philly, no more over enthusiasm for the opposing team, no more “Boooomsticks” and lastly no more “Straight Gas Homie”
NO MORE DAVE SIMS!!!!
Yankees fans should rip his rat hat off his head then Boomstick him back to Philly w/some Straight Gas Homie at the 1st sight of him on the street. Then they wont have to listen to his horrible babble for 2 decades.
There is a Lord and His name is John Sterling, Hallelujah.
Sat it again. Whats His name, our Lord, John Sterling, Hallelujah
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Halleeeeeeelujah
Those Tampa Tarpons are cutting it mighty close to a lapsus linguae.
It’s an UncleMike loses his mind thread.
And it sounds like there isn’t too much left to lose!
Rainy season in Tampa Bay area is May-October. Fun times ahead.
A little over 10K field should make for a much better atmosphere for the Rays. I have been to the Trop a couple of times where the announced attendance has been 10K, and it feels like a ghost town.
To all the commenters on MLBTR who and have said that they and others avoid the Trop because it doesn’t allow for baseball outside and how weather isn’t a factor, I look forward to your reports of attending multiple games in Tampa and the wonderful experiences you have.
I regularly go to Tampa Tarpons games and its a good time. People avoid the trop bc you have to go across the bridge, go thru downtown Tampa and 275 in rush hour to get there, just to watch a team whos owner refuses to spend money on players. No thanks.
*George Carlin voice*
When the Tampa Tarpons play, do they leave the Tarp On the field?
They are adding a temporary catwalk to make it really like home for the Rays…
Hope the league considers scheduling the entire months of April and May as home games lol. Summer is brutal down there, better off traveling as much as possible during those months. Play a nice six or seven game series up in Boston in August. Another six or seven in New York. Six or seven more in Baltimore and Toronto.
It makes sense, but as a regular Tampa Tarpon attendant im a lil bummed as it was nice paying like $6 to get in and $40 for all you can eat and drink beer and wine at a random minor league game and watch top prospects with home plate seats. Oh well guess I’ll have 2026 to look forward to
so if the deductible for the Rays insurance policy requires the Rays to pay the 1st $22M of the roof repair, I wonder if that $22M figure also applies to the $15M being paid as rent to the Yankees org. if it does, and the Rays elect not to pay to repair the roof and go full nomad until the 2028 reported opening date of the Gas Light field, they’ll have the $15M rent and either $7M of their deductible to meet OR $15M+$22M depending on how the policy fine print reads.. Either way, seems better to just fix the roof (although not ready for just next season) and get in there as soon as possible.
so I can’t see them wondering aimlessly until the new Gas Light stadium gets built (assuming there is still gov’t will to build it).
Best case scenario it would seem, this next year’s experiment of fans being able to just stay in Tampa for games makes everyone realize that being in Tampa is the way to go vs having to drive the bridge to St Pete after work. And somehow, they decide to build somewhere in Tampa after all.
Thr city owns the Trop so it’s their responsibility. The Rays are going to do what makes the most financial sense to them so they’ll need to see how things shake out for them next season at GMS Field. We probably won’t get a Trop decision for ’26 until next summer before hurricane season.
I live in Florida. What’s the MLB record for rainouts in a season?