Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred stated that adjustments to both major and minor league schedules might be necessary to accommodate the Rays, following the damage to Tropicana Field by Hurricane Milton on October 9. He expressed the need for the Rays to find a temporary home to play their regular season games until Tropicana Field is repaired, if such repairs are feasible.
“We can make it work in a minor league park,” Manfred said Saturday before Game 2 of the World Series . “I think there’s probably some flexibility in terms of what we do with the big league schedule.”
The Tampa Bay area boasts several minor league ballparks, which serve as the spring training grounds for teams such as the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, the New York Yankees in Tampa, the Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, and the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland.
Rant Sports reports that MLB wants the Rays to stay in the area and offers the top options.
Lawmakers in Pinellas County view TD Ballpark in Dunedin an option for the Rays. The park having played a significant role for the Blue Jays during COVID in2020, serving as their spring training ground before becoming their regular-season home for May and June, until they relocated to Buffalo to be nearer to their fan base. With a seating capacity of only 8,500 it’s a fantastic venue to enjoy a game, this could be a nice landing spot the Rays. Therefore, I would rate it a B- because it is about 25 miles from Tampa and might be a challenge to get to for fans.
Another location in Pinellas County is BayCare Ballpark, the winter home of the Phillies. Similar to its counterpart in North Pinellas County, BayCare Ballpark accommodates around 8,500 fans, offers excellent seating and sightlines, and is the nearest ballpark to Tropicana Field. However, the traffic on U.S. 19 is notoriously challenging, which can detract from the ballpark’s appeal and make driving problematic, leading to a grade of C.
The premier choice in Pinellas County is Al Lang Field in downtown St. Petersburg, situated on the picturesque bay with access to numerous restaurants and cafes, making it ideal for fans. It was also once the preferred site to replace Tropicana Field. Al Lang Field currently hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team. Conveniently, the Rays’ owners also own the Rowdies, which would simplify schedule coordination. Although Al Lang Field sustained hurricane damage and requires repairs, these could encompass the essential upgrades mandated by MLB and the Players Association. To accommodate the Rays, seating capacity would need to increase from 7,500 to approximately 12,000 or more, which would merit an A grade.
The family’s favorite is George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the winter home of the New York Yankees. With its capacity of over 10,000 seats and proximity to Raymond James Stadium, it stands out as a top choice. Among all the spring training facilities available to the Rays, Steinbrenner Field is the largest and most equipped for Major League Baseball, meriting an A+ grade.
“I think by Christmas they’ve got to have a pretty good plan in place and there’s a lot to that,” Manfred said. “So once we get past Game 7 — and we’re going to have seven — we’ve got to really get focused and figure out where we’re going to be and get the logistics worked out.”
A significant portion of Tropicana Field’s fiberglass roof was devastated by the storm. City Council member Brandi Gabbard stated this week that she anticipates an analysis of the damage to be completed by early November.
Washington based CEO & Founder of LJC. Media covering politics, sports, & entertainment A seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director, and podcast host. Digital Director and Washington Bureau Chief at News Talk Florida & The Daily Cable
