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Officials: Tampa Bay Rays considering Pasco County training facility - KPNX One thing I can say is that Portland folks are extremely outgoing and very loyal. Timely, daily updates provide the latest developments and news relied upon by industry leaders. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. Here are five cities that would likely be great fits for the Rays. Already a subscriber? Download our app, Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, Charlotte Sports Park sustained water and electrical damage, Rays updated Sprint Training schedule released, Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games, California Consumer Limit the Use of My Sensitive Personal Information, California Consumer Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Rays to open Spring Traiing 2023 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex, Rays beging Spring Training Feb. 14; will move operations to Tropicana Field March 1 and play games at Tropicana Field. 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. Baseball Legacy: Tampa and its bay area is, of course, a major player in the MLB spring training. The Spurs were consistently in the top half of the NBA in attendance pre-pandemic, showing that San Antonio can gather fan interest, while Austin would be a fun experiment. Is it reasonable to assume 15 to 30 percent of the entire city would go to a baseball game. But why isnt it the first option? 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. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. Archived post. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. Tampa, while a great city, is not exactly a great sports town, even during the best of times (the Bucs and Lightning have won championships but consistent attendance is a problem. That's an extra 25,000 and a total attendance of 43,000-plus. 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. A news outlet reported in August of 2010 that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman is actively pursuing a professional baseball team for the city. Once the Rays, who started training in Port Charlotte after its first American League Championship in 2008, arrived, Doherty said people would recognize that was where the team hosted spring training. The latest personnel hires and promotions, plus exclusive ratings and research from the sports industry. stories and Draft takeaways; The premise behind Wasserman Ventures; Tony Ressler's grand vision for Atlanta and early schedule highlights from an expanded CFP. 2023 Leaders Group. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. Rays Moving Spring Camp Due to Damage Caused by Hurricane - US News They want to be next to a vibrant downtown," Welch said. Team Puerto Ricos scheduled exhibition game against the Rays on Thursday, March 9 will now be hosted by the Atlanta Braves at North Port. Moving the Rays to Charlotte is not only a good move, but an - Reddit 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. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. The Rays Minor League camp will be based out of the Disney complex throughout Spring Training. PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. The Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. Its also a decent distance from Florida. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. Analysis: Fool me oncewhile the Expos had its fair share of ownership issues throughout its troubled history, the Expos also had very lousy attendance and, not for the last time, a Canadian team playing a United States game, had to go elsewhere. Chief Business Officer Bill Walsh said that the team also made other ticket pricing adjustments around their ballpark to make sure that folks who maybe tuned in to the evening news and caught wind of what was happening here, that if they went to our website they could find some tickets, if not for $10, maybe within close proximity to that (SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL, 4/24 issue). Population: 807,584 (14th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers. Cities like Vegas and Memphis relocation cities. On that historic night, there were only over 12,000 fans at the ballpark and, from my point of view, a lot of them were Orioles fans. Tampa Bay Rays will use Disney, Tropicana Field as temporary spring However, the key stat here, is the Rays television audience. The Rays are considering several options for a new spring base, including Tropicana Field and the Disney complex formerly used by the Braves, and hope to have a resolution in the next few weeks. Ranking MLB's radical City Connect uniforms: Which one's No. MLB: 5 Cities the Tampa Bay Rays Should Move to Immediately The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. 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. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Franchises/tampa-bay-rays-standings-topicana-field-tickets.aspx. ", Plan outlined for new Rays park, redevelopment, Harper may return Tue., 160 days post-TJ surgery, Rangers ace deGrom 'frustrated' to land on IL, Twins will shut P Mahle down for at least 4 weeks, Cards broadcaster, 2-time champ Shannon dies, Giants' Yastrzemski (hamstring) likely IL-bound, Yankees to evaluate Judge's hip strain Monday, Mexico City's uphill climb toward landing an MLB franchise. The Rays would have to build a new ballpark, but there is no reason not to believe it would not be revered by baseball fans in the area. Tampa This was the only city that was going to be number 1. "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. MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. Overall, Welch said, the idea is to create a destination for people who come to Rays games, as well as build a new community. 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. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. That said, on this list, I find this destination the least likely. The broader plan includes about 5,700 housing units -- a large chunk of them to be deemed affordable -- office and retail space, 700 hotel rooms, a 2,500-seat entertainment venue and a new Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Let's be real. Well see, he added. The 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training. Firstly, one has to know that Nashville has an entire website dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. Why? This was the only city that was going to be number 1. The Rays have arguably the best bullpen in the big leagues. With this trade to re-acquire Javy Guerra, Tampa Bay is adding an intriguing arm to their group of relievers. , 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. Rays' early-season success leads to attendance bump. But while sports is a passion for most of us, for the select few who own and operate a sports franchise, it is a stressful business, and sometimes the product has to go where a demanding market wants it. 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. Click below to sign in. 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. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/G. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . This scenario seems perfect for an in-state move. 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. 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. It will be a temporary return of sorts for Spring Training in downtown St. Petersburg -- the Rays played their spring home games at Al Lang Field from 1998-2008 before moving south to Port Charlotte. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training - Spring Training Online By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Indiana Pacers are floundering at the moment, which would provide the Rays with an opening to win over the Indianapolis fanbase. ST. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. 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. He also knows a thing or two about the Athletics, the MLB franchise that the Raiders . How are Rays' hopes for a new stadium impacted by A's-Las Vegas deal? SBJ I Factor presented by Allied Sports features an interview with Navigate founder A.J. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Following a joint assessment of the damage to Charlotte Sports Park caused by Hurricane Ian, Charlotte County and the Tampa Bay Rays 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, the statement said. and our The Rays and Braves played the first game ever at CoolToday Park, to close out the 2019 spring training schedule. So is it possible? The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense 7. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. But This is What You Should Have Expected, Mocking the Nationals Offseason, Early Postseason Edition, Mr. Soto or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Washington Nationals, Nats Prospects or: The Art of Tempering Expectations. Legacy: San Antonio is known as a basketball town with the two major franchises being the NBA and the WNBA. 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. Tampa Bay Rays Could Move To Pasco County - Q105 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. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Tampa Bay previously hosted six regular-season games at the Disney ballpark, sweeping a series against the Rangers in May 2007 then winning three games against the Blue Jays in April 2008. Welch said the plan should keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for the long term. All rights reserved. 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). Rays Could Still Move To Tampa After St. Pete Redevelopment Bid So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. However, there's no . The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. Its definitely still a possibility and a good idea at that. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. 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. Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility Analysis: For a city with very little exposure to professional sports (only two major sports franchises exist now and the only exposure to baseball has been a minor league affiliate) Portland has been a target for an MLB team for years. If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. "I pitched like that in 2021, and it was a good year from me, so I think moving there has had the same effect," said Garcia, who has lowered . In2014, the new stadium, which included a boardwalk food area behind the outfield fence and a grass berm seating area, was named the No. Charlotte seems like it could be a great fit for a professional baseball team. And while this Rays fan would be immensely sad if his home town team lost it's major league baseball franchise, there is no reason, in the worse case scenario that they DO, indeed, leave, for me to think the franchise, as changed as it would be, couldn't flourish somewhere else. Population: 676,640 (19th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Sports Teams in the City: Memphis Grizzlies. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). The Baltimore Orioles, prior to their move to Ed Smith Stadium in 2010, hosted Major League spring training in Fort Lauderdale, while the minor league camp was at Twin Lakes Parks in Sarasota, which was originally developed by the Kansas City Royals in 1970 as a baseball academy. They had 35 years with very little success (one NLCS appearance and the best record in baseball in 1994. It can be problematic, but not unheard of, for Major League baseball teams to host spring training at more than one site. Guerra isn't exactly a . K.C. 5 Potential Relocation Spots For Rays - Half Street High Heat | A Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Not to mention a name change the Rays would have to do, to something like the Stars or Outlaws. The Rays started the season with 13 consecutive wins, tying the 1982 Atlanta Braves and the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers for the modern era (post-1900) record, and the most . 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. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. Required fields are marked *. The downsides of this proposal are apparent. So is it their time yet? (AP image). Welch, who is St. Petersburg's first Black mayor, emphasized that a key goal is to restore a majority Black neighborhood known as the Gas Plant District that was ousted by the stadium and a highway. Doherty noted that while the Stone Crabs offered some family friendly fun, the county was successful in attractingyouth tournaments to recoup some tourism dollars. The Tampa Bay Rays have been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball since 2008 when they went from being the doormat of the American League to the World Series runner-up. Rays to open upper deck for Yankees series in May, Rays lefty Josh Fleming finds his role as the bulk guy, Rays add bullpen depth in reacquiring Javy Guerra from Brewers, Rays send impressive rookie pitcher Taj Bradley back to minors, Heres why Tampa Bay Rays attendance during the teams historic winning streak matters | Editorial, White Sox pay tribute to Rays radio broadcaster Dave Wills, Why well know a lot more about the Rays in a month, CEO who turned Creative Pinellas into a thriving arts center is retiring, 2-year-old daughter of Bucs linebacker Shaquil Barrett drowns in family pool, Assembly line of Triple-A arms somehow has kept Rays atop the standings, Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter, Hall of Famer Gaylord Perry, a two-time Cy Young winner, dies. However, as a former resident, I will add that even during the WORST of times with both the Bucs and Lightning, there were very dedicated fans that came). Oakland A's are relocating; Tampa Bay Rays are on deck | Commentary It time to move on to more deserving cities. I think were a good fit for them, I feel thatthey feel the same way from conversations Ive had with some of their staff over the years, Doherty said. 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. Here is a look at seven cities that could benefit from the addition of a major league franchise, in this case, the Tampa Bay Rays. It will be a temporary return of sorts for Spring Training in downtown St. Petersburg, as the Rays played their spring home games at Al Lang Field from 1998-2008 before moving south to Port Charlotte. If Nashville wants Major League Baseball, it should look at Tampa Rays ownership still has a proposal for a $700 million stadium in Ybor City at their feet, and with the split-season proposal with Montreal shot down, the idea is gaining traction. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. Rays to move 2023 spring training after Charlotte Sports Park damage And even if the Rays create a mini-dynasty and win four of the next five championships, the current situation (crappy stadium, poor attendance, terrible local access) at a consistent rate will cause the owners and operators to question the viability of a Tampa franchise. 2023, Charter Communications, all rights reserved. We are aware of the media reports about potential relocation discussions, but were told by the Rays management they have no immediate plans to move their spring training location, he continued. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 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?). Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Not to mention that the, Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, , at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season.. This scenario seems perfect for an in-state move. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated his desire to expand to 32 teams. Maestas, a member of Sports Business Journals Forty Under 40 class of 2015. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. 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. History. 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. Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. Tampa Bay Rays Looking At Possible Move To Nashville Yes. A's officials last week announced that they had signed a binding agreement to purchase 49 acres of land for a stadium . Your email address will not be published. If the team were moved to the city in which is takes it name from, would that attendance increase? This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. The Rays currently play in St. Petersburg which is, at first glance, right "next to" Tampa (though, to be fair, part of the Tampa Bay area and the Rays are the Tampa BAY Rays). Same goes for the Colts. Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred said last year that there is a "sense of urgency" for the Rays to resolve their stadium issue and that MLB wants the team to remain in the Tampa Bay area. 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. 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. 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. 'Believe in the power of cheese': How a group of rookies helped give the Brewers the best vibes in baseball, Fantasy baseball: Load up on San Diego bats this weekend. Wed be very sad to see them go. Rays' Franco Wanders into Left Field to Make Stunning Barehanded Catch By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. In 2021, as part of an overall reorganization of minor league baseball, the Rays moved theirClass A-advanced affiliate to South Carolina. From 2009 to 2020, it also hosted the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. Two proposals shepherded by the previous mayor were scrapped last year by Welch, who sought to focus more on affordable housing and job opportunities at the Gas Plant District. Proximity of the Rays in Port Charlotte as well as the Orioles and Pirates to the north and Red Sox and Twins to the south in Fort Myers was one of several factors when the Atlanta Braves decided to move theirspring training quarters to North Port. When the Athletics tidy up the multi-billion-dollar details in Sin City, where they're expected to reside by the 2027 season if not sooner, a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays will be the last . 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. 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 . While the Whalers were a popular franchise in Hartford, Hartford is just plain inexperienced at handling major league sports. "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. The Rays use the facility on a year-round basis for extended spring training, complex and instructional league play, and mini-camps. 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. [Source: TampaBay.com] 10 Things To Know About The 2022 Gameplan for a Rays Stadium in Ybor. I think the loyal sports followers would go, but I think the biggest problem would be how spoiled the fans would be. That being said, lets get to it! I think MLB view cities like Montreal, Portland, Nashville, Charlotte and possibly Mexico City as possible expansion cities. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. Divisions will stay the same, because the move from Tampa to Charlotte keeps the team on the East coast no rearranging of divisions would be necessary 6. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. A history in Charlotte County. 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.