, most notably MLB legend Nolan Ryan and his son Reid, who have both given consideration to pitching the owners on an expansion or relocation to Central Texas. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. The Braves used the Disney facility for 22 years, most recently in 2019, before moving their Spring Training operations to CoolToday Park in North Port. Once again, this would be a great place for the Rays to move because there are no professional sports teams in Nebraska, let alone the surrounding states like Iowa, Kansas and Wyoming. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. Obviously the Rays would need a new ballpark built, but the remaining fanbase in Tampa Bay is already calling for a new stadium, so this is somewhat of a moot point. According to the Tampa Bay Times, "As the Montreal plan took shape, Rays officials said it was their 'only' option and dismissed any chance of getting a new full-time home in the Tampa Bay . Right now, even as it struggles for in-person fans, Tampa draws close to 15 percent of Hartford's entire population per game. Walt Disney World Resort said its looking forward to providing. With CBA negotiations becoming even more tense, it now looks like the MLB season will not start on time, with Spring Training at the bare minimum being pushed back. It time to move on to more deserving cities. Not to mention a name change the Rays would have to do, to something like the Stars or Outlaws. The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bay's Spring Training home since 2009. At first, it seems like an odd move for the Tampa Bay Rays to abandon one of the cushiest spring-training setups in baseball and leave scenic Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg for a spring-training site once abandoned by the Texas Rangers. and I recently flew into Tampa for a three game series and getting to Tropicana Field from Tampa itself was a pain in the butt. There was significant damage and heavy flooding throughout Port Charlotte and Charlotte County after Hurricane Ian made landfall just south of Punta Gorda, Fla., on Sept. 28. It might be easier to root for the Red Sox or Yankees if you live in Connecticut, but I just have a gut feeling a Hartford team would be a resounding success. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. Charlotte is a fast growing city, and theres tons of potential in every way. So getting people to go to games wouldn't be a problem (and heck, out of 1.3 million people, someone has to like baseball there, right?). 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season - Wikipedia 5 Potential Relocation Spots For Rays - Half Street High Heat | A Upgrade your subscription to get all the news you need: Adding SBJ weekly content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: Adding SBJ daily content will give you the comprehensive view of sports business with: You have 1 All Access article remaining this month. The Rays dropped to 14-1 at home after losing to the Astros. There are already 2 teams in Texas that have been there for a. time (Astros since 1962, Rangers since 1971), and they have taken up the majority of the fan interest. The team's AAA affiliate has not had a lot of attendance success so the expectation of fan excitement and fan attendance may need to be studied further. NFL Owner Rips Baseball Team for Plans to Move to Las Vegas The Rays' Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. Support local journalism with a digital subscription to the Herald-Tribune. So, even if the Rays do end up making the. If the Rays played their spring training games as well as a portion of the 162-game regular season in Ybor City, the Rays would likely play the same teams they do now. The Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) have also begun to sputter. "It will no longer be a dream denied. I was at the infamous David Price Tweet game last year when the Rays had a chance to clinch a playoff spot against the Orioles. I'd say yes. Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). We are all disappointed for the residents of Charlotte County and the fans there. Related to that, and with a potential move there by the Rays, you'd have instant rivalry potential with the Seattle Mariners. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. He also knows a thing or two about the Athletics, the MLB franchise that the Raiders . I believe MLB put teams in the Florida region to see how they fare because they regularly had spring training like Arizona so they tested the market. 1 one month into the season? As a matter of fact, there were some in, Charlotte that did not want to give the Knights a new stadium. The Rays declined through an email from a team spokesman to comment further. The Tampa Bay Rays still went by the name Devil Rays in August 2006, when they signed a 20-year spring training lease with Charlotte County for Charlotte Sports Park, which first hosted the Rays in 2009, followinga $28 million renovation. "Folks want to be here. The Rays continue to look for a long-term answer to stay in Florida, asking for a new stadium to be built in Tampa. Rays' early-season success leads to attendance bump. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. The latter ideacomes from state Sen. William Simpson, R-Trilby, current senate president. The Rays will likely not be able to use TD Ameritrade Park though because of the minor league teams in the city, plus it can only fit around 24,000 fans. But why isnt it the first option? Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) The Tampa Bay Rays are relocating their spring base for 2023 due to extensive damage to team training facilities caused by Hurricane Ian. There has been discussion from some investors, most notably MLB legend Nolan Ryan and his son Reid, who have both given consideration to pitching the owners on an expansion or relocation to Central Texas. Required fields are marked *. Tampa Bay Rays. Plan outlined for new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, redevelopment - ESPN Insert the Rays into Memphis, and you have a city on the rise with two very young franchises thriving on the baseball diamond and hardwood. The Rays home game against the New York Yankees on Tues., Feb. 28, will now be played at The Stadium at the ESPN Wide World of Sports at Disney. All rights reserved. Other Franchises: No major sport franchises. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. However, at its closest, St. Pete is six to eight miles from the city of Tampa and much, much farther coming from surrounding suburbs. With the Rays relocating, there were minor changes made to the Grapefruit League schedule, which MLB announced on Wednesday: Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on Feb. 14, with early arrivals slated for Feb. 6. Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). So would bringing a team back there make sense? So yes, these options are regional. Legacy: Hartford is perhaps more known for its former franchise, aka The Whalers, then anything else. The Rays' current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp," a spokesperson wrote in an email to 10 Tampa Bay. The Rays followed up their Cinderella season by winning 84 games in 2009 and finishing third in the AL East, which was nothing short of remarkable considering they lost 101 games in 2006. The Rays dropped to 14-1 . Finally it makes sense for travel times too, every team in the AL East is closer to Charlotte than Tampa by several hours of flight, and very few teams in any division would have further travel times. The Grizzlies were 27th in NBA attendance, but this is largely due to their struggles during the regular season. In recent years,the Rays have contemplated moving from St. Petersburg to Tampa, andteam officials have touted a Sister Cities concept that would have the Rayssplit theseason between new stadiums in Tampa and Montreal. San Antonio, despite immense basketball success, is considered small market. But the infrastructure is there, in case the idea is ever there. A spokeswoman for Simpson confirmed that he and other Pasco County state legislators would consider seeking state aid for a proposed training site, depending on the details.. Portland folk love to rival up against their northern state rivals and a MLB showdown 10 to 15 times a year would get the fans raring to go. I decided to list 5 cities, one for each of the times a baseball flew into the Tropicana catwalks during the postseason over the years. 1? In Charlotte, the team would be missed, Doherty said, but admitted that the loss of the Stone Crabs proved to be a dress rehearsal for that possibility. Seattle Mariners unveil City Connect uniforms. Orlando is a fantastic in-state option for the Rays, and it doesnt have the cumbersome cost of starting the fanbase over or getting out of a valuable TV deal across the state of Florida. The team and county officials put out a joint statement Thursday night saying, in part, that after a joint assessment of the damage, both parties have determined there is not adequate time before the Rays 2023 spring training is scheduled to begin to get the park in suitable condition to host games. PETERSBURG The Rays on Thursday made official what had seemed likely, that their 2023 spring training camp will be relocated from Port Charlotte due to damage to the facility caused by . Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Franchises/tampa-bay-rays-standings-topicana-field-tickets.aspx. They have a temporary stadium that could possibly be upgraded. Analysis: Baseball can work in Texas. 49 print issues delivered to your home or office. A spokesman for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor declined to comment as well, noting that the city would not be involved in that concept. The Charlotte Sports Park facility, which has been the the Rays spring home since 2009, sustained extensive damage in the late-September storm, including to the game stadium and other buildings. St. Petersburg is a hike from Tampa, and most of the ways to get between the two cities are clogged during weekday rush hour. Legacy:Besides the two major sports of basketball and football, in which the Indianapolis crowd has been lucky to have very storied franchises with big names, Indianapolis is home to prestigious racing, WNBA, and, as of late, major college basketball success with Butler. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated his desire to expand to 32 teams. The Rays have averaged roughly between 22,000-23,000 fans per game in attendance, but the Trop seats 34,078 people and could hold 42,735 fans if they were to remove the tarp from certain sections in the stadium. The city's population ranking has shot up from 63rd to 28th since 1990, which is also another great reason to establish a professional sports team in Las Vegas. With the Reams lease at the Trop ending in 2027, Williams pitched to the team in 2020 an entire proposal fleshed out for a Rays move, including a $1.2 billion dollar stadium, corporate sponsorships and possible support from Disney, and the numbers, that show how Orange County collects triple the tourist taxes of Pinellas and Hillsborough, where St. Petersburg and Tampa sit, respectively. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. One possibility could be playing their Grapefruit League games at Tropicana Field, but they would likely need a larger space with more fields to hold their workouts. | Powered By: Web Seo Wiz. The Rays are just seven games out of the lead in the AL East and five and a half games out of the Wild Card, but are ranked 13th in AL attendance. "We think Tampa is a major league market and we want to find a solution that makes the club economically viable in that market," Manfred said then. It would work out, believe me it will. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. Get the inside scoop on jobs, salaries, top office locations, and CEO insights. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazines awards, such as Forty Under 40, Game Changers and others. Pacers fans are immensely loyal and, regardless of talent or win totals, it always seems the Pacers are blue collar and supported as such. They have a stadium and entertainment area proposal, a section on the citys baseball history and their Negro League ties, and an entire group of investors. With the Reams lease at the Trop ending in 2027, Williams pitched to the team in 2020 an entire proposal fleshed out for a Rays move, including a $1.2 billion dollar stadium, corporate sponsorships and possible support from Disney, and the numbers, that show how Orange County collects triple the tourist taxes of Pinellas and Hillsborough, where St. Petersburg and Tampa sit, respectively. Learn More. They get corporate interest, the same attendance as the other two Tampa-based teams, more fan interest, and more money to work with. "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. The Titans and Predators have no issues with attendance and are immensely popular in the region, while Nashville also had the highest economic growth of any American city in 2021. The new Rays Stadium in Tampa should be built on Dale Mabry - DRaysBay The downsides of this proposal are apparent. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. The Toronto Blue Jays will now play the Rays at Tropicana Field on that date. But appearances can be deceiving, and there's . Tampa Bay Rays president Brian Auld told councilmember Charlie Miranda that . Residents of Dunedin, the Florida governor's "blue-collar" hometown, are split on whether his values mirror the city's. dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. Other Franchises: Charlotte Bobcats, Carolina Panthers. Firstly, one has to know that Nashville has an entire website dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. Writers and fans STILL dont have much to talk about right now regarding baseball, but in other news, MLB finally shot down the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. (AP image). Were always looking for top-tier events, like the Rays Spring Training, for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/G. A city that has history rooting for other teams would find it more appealing to take the time to build a stadium for an original team and to start new than bring in a franchise that already has 20+ years of history in another state. That means Tampa Bay is on deck and better step up to plate or the red-hot Rays will someday soon be announcing a move to Nashville, Charlotte, Montreal or some other baseball-hungry city. The Trop was built as a hockey arena, and even the Lightning found it wasnt as suitable for it, moving to the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. "This team is the best partner for this generational endeavor, and now the next phase of work begins to bring this dream to reality for everyone in St. Petersburg," Welch said in a speech on the steps of City Hall. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training: Southern Exposure. With CBA negotiations becoming even more tense, it now looks like the MLB season will not start on time, with Spring Training at the bare minimum being pushed back. Tampa, mainly, services minor league teams. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. And while the STORY of the Rays (small fries defeating the big time spending giants) is great dramatic fodder, no one, at least in person, is seeing it. "This selection validates all the hard work," Auld said. Rays have the second-lowest average attendance in the MLB, only second to their in state counterparts, Speaking of the Marlins, Florida will still have a team so it wont be like Florida is completely isolated from Baseball, The Marlins have a brand spanking new stadium, wheras the Rays are in need of a new home anyway with their stadium being 29 years old, 4. Wed be very sad to see them go. Where are the Tampa Bay Rays moving to? | Dependable ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season.. Locally, the Pittsburgh Pirates host spring training at LECOM Park at 1611 9th Street W., Bradenton, but the minor leaguers train a few miles east at Pirate City. "Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training," the statement . Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. In this story: Raiders owner Mark Davis knows a thing or two about moving a team from Oakland to Las Vegas. Renderings indicate the old stadium would be demolished. The city of Indianapolis already has a winning team in the Colts, but there is no reason the Rays cannot succeed in Indy as well. Population:709,441 (18th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Carolina Panthers. There is also an established baseball tradition in Omaha with the College World Series played there every year. Analysis: While the legacy for baseball is not great, Indiana, and Indianapolis in particular, has a strong group of fans behind them in whatever sport they decide to follow. Hartford hasn't really experimented in any of the other major American sports and when they lost the Whalers, they lost all access to major sports. Archived post. Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. History. Its also a decent distance from Florida. From 2009 to 2020, it also hosted the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. [Source: TampaBay.com] 10 Things To Know About The 2022 Gameplan for a Rays Stadium in Ybor. CHARLOTTE COUNTY Sean Doherty, director of tourism for the Punta Gorda Englewood Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, can recall when the area's name recognition increasedafter the Tampa Bay Rays moved theirspring training headquarters to Charlotte Sports Park. While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. Rays president Brian Auld, who attended the mayor's event, said in a brief interview it is "a thrill" to see the project take a major step forward. Timely, daily updates provide the latest developments and news relied upon by industry leaders. MLB is a significant step closer to expansion, which will bring two more franchises into the big leagues while also necessitating the creation of eight new minor-league teams around the country. They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. Danny - Nationals Lead Writer: @Nats_Baseball, Matt - Nationals Lead Writer: @HolleranMDH, 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast . A's officials last week announced that they had signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres of land for a stadium . City officials decided early on that the city would attempt to attract Major League Baseball. Not to mention that the, Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, , at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. The Rays have played at the domed Tropicana Field since their inaugural 1998 season but have considered moving elsewhere, such as neighboring Tampa, amid consistently low attendance. Last night's game drew 9,916 fans, but the average attendance through Monday marked a 57% jump "from last years low point over a similar stretch and a milestone worth noting. The Rays in 2019 "drew 22 crowds of less than 10,000, with a low of 5,786. After four consecutive playoff runs -- the most prosperous stretch in franchise history -- the locals may be responding (USA TODAY, 4/25). Is it reasonable to assume 15 to 30 percent of the entire city would go to a baseball game. Other Franchises: San Antonio Spurs (four championships), San Antonio Silver Stars. But it happens, even to the best of teams, the best of fans and even the most successful of franchises. The team's lease with their Spring training facility in Port Charlotte runs through 2028. The Rays and Braves played the first game ever at CoolToday Park, to close out the 2019 spring training schedule. 5. Floridians dont care about baseball as much hence Florida Marlins. Daily updates aggregating the stories and spin from more than 600 outlets across the globe. For more information, please see our Nashvilles high interest makes them the most attractive of the out of state relocation options, but again, a desire for a new team and a lack of a temporary stadium make this difficult when they collide with the Rays lengthy lease and their TV deals in Florida. Perhaps not. A news outlet reported in August of 2010 that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is actively pursuing a professional baseball team for the city. Nashville's pursuit of an MLB franchise might be gaining steam, if a Tampa City Council member is to be believed. There isnt really an issue with this proposal. It did help with putting us a little more on the map with travelers and tourists, he added. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training - Spring Training Online As a matter of fact, there were some in Charlotte that did not want to give the Knights a new stadium out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. So it came as some surprise that the attendance for a 'home' franchise is so low (with, at least, fans originating from Tampa without ties to other franchises). There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. December 1, 2022. Relocate to Montreal or Nashville where they can draw fans, same can said for the Marlins, Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. The article I linked mentions how San Antonio is a tad crowded, and that Austin is a government city, and that a better place for a Rays stadium would be in between the cities, in a place like San Marco, or New Braunfels. Period. The Rays current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp.. The mayor's grandfather ran a woodyard business there before the neighborhood was essentially obliterated by Tropicana Field. Wander Franco #5 of the Tampa Bay Rays hits a ground ball in the first inning against the Minnesota Twins during a Grapefruit League spring training game at Charlotte Sports Park on March 29, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. Welch said the plan should keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for the long term. Your email address will not be published. Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month. It has had a AA and AAA squad (the current incarnation is the Charlotte Knights, who are the White Sox affiliate), but most professional sports have been basketball (the former Hornets and now the Bobcats) and football (the Panthers, who despite varied success, average in the top 10 in attendance). and our With this trade to re-acquire Javy Guerra, Tampa Bay is adding an intriguing arm to their group of relievers. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . The Rangers and Astros have been centerpieces of MLB for decades. Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bays Spring Training home since 2009. K.C. Relocation and contraction are words no fan wants to hear, especially if it involves their beloved team. Lets be real. Rays to move 2023 spring training after Charlotte Sports Park damage Why? However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. Memphis is the 19th-largest city in the United States and features the Memphis Grizzlies, whose rise from the cellar of the NBA is much similar to the Rays'. The previously released exhibition schedule is expected to be revised. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. . The Rays use the facility on a year-round basis for extended spring training, complex and instructional league play, and mini-camps. Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. Manager Joe Maddon helped guide the youthful Rays to their first playoff appearance in 2008, and they proceeded to upset the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS, but they were eventually defeated by the Philadelphia Phillies in the World Series. Analysis: I'm not joking when I put this as my choice. The Tampa Bay Times reported on Sept. 29 that there was obvious damage done to the Charlotte Sports Park complex, noting that a worker on site described water damage and electrical issues inside the buildings. Most recently, published reports, primarily in the Tampa Bay Times, have highlighted a portion of that effort that would have the Rays play their spring training games in a stadium that would be built as part of the development play for the 50-acre Gas Worx parcel between Ybor City and the Channelside area, with a spring training player development site to the north, in Pasco County. With two major franchises already in tow, one being the Bobcats with an owner in Michael Jordan, and the Panthers, who have had their share of regular season and playoff success, the idea of a MLB team in the city doesn't seem outlandish. Its also a decent distance from Florida. There is an obvious solution as to where . The Charlotte Stone Crabs enjoyed an 11-year run in Charlotte County. the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. In2014, the new stadium, which included a boardwalk food area behind the outfield fence and a grass berm seating area, was named the No. So is it possible? Legacy: San Antonio is known as a basketball town with the two major franchises being the NBA and the WNBA. Tampa Bay Rays Could Move To Pasco County - Q105 Column: Another domino falls on road to MLB expansion If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. This was the only city that was going to be number 1. Charlotte County spokesman Brian Gleason said via email that Charlotte County has enjoyed partnering with the Tampa Bay Rays on their spring training camp and player development program since 2009. In 2021, as part of an overall reorganization of minor league baseball, the Rays moved theirClass A-advanced affiliate to South Carolina. The Rays and Charlotte County announced on Dec. 1 that the club would not be able to hold Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park.
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