RealGM

Posted: **Wed Oct 23, 2024 12:13 pm**

Major League Baseball hopes to find the Tampa Bay Rays a temporary home in the area at least for the start of the 2025 season if the damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton cannot be repaired in time.

The translucent fiberglass dome at the ballpark in St. Petersburg was shredded by Milton\'s high winds.

A number of spring training sites around the Tampa Bay area have been suggested as temporary homes.

\"We\'re hopeful that we can figure out something in [the Tampa Bay area] for them and that the repairs can be done in a way that allows them to resume playing,\" Rob Manfred said on an episode of \"The Varsity\" podcast. \"The easiest thing is always to stay in the market where the clubs are anchored, if we can manage it.\"

The Rays have played at Tropicana Field since their inaugural 1998 season, although the building was constructed in 1990.

Via Associated Press

Posted: **Thu Oct 24, 2024 7:54 pm**

In the Tampa area? Spring training sites as an alternative? Largest is Steinbrenner Field (Yankees spring training facility) located right down 275 from Tropicana Field (about 30 minutes away).

One problem is while being the largest capacity field in the area among spring training and minor league facilities, Steinbrenner Field still seats max of only about 11,000 fans. The Rays averaged over 16,000 fans per game last season.

The other problem is the Yankees A ball team (the Tampa Tarpons) actually plays there so home and away games will have to be coordinated pretty tightly which is something the Yankees would have to want to do.

RealGM

Re: MLB Wants Rays In Tampa Even If Tropicana Field Isn\'t Repaired

MLB Wants Rays In Tampa Even If Tropicana Field Isn\'t Repaired

Re: MLB Wants Rays In Tampa Even If Tropicana Field Isn\'t Repaired