St. Petersburg backs a new $1.3B ballpark for the Rays. Now it’s up to Pinellas County
2 weeks, 3 days ago

St. Petersburg backs a new $1.3B ballpark for the Rays. Now it’s up to Pinellas County

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays’ potential new ballpark got a boost Thursday when the St. Petersburg City Council voted to approve the bonds necessary to finance the $1.3 billion stadium. Meanwhile, the Rays will play this season in the New York Yankees’ spring training site, Steinbrenner Field in Tampa because of hurricane damage to Tropicana Field. The ballpark is part of a larger $6,5 billion project called the Historic Gas Plant District, which is an urban restoration effort aimed at righting a wrong when Black people were moved out so that Tropicana Field and a highway could be built on prime land in downtown St. Petersburg. The Rays’ home since 1998, the domed Tropicana Field was hit hard by Hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, with most of its fabric roof shredded and water damage inside.

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History of this topic

Rays manager Kevin Cash embraces unusual home arrangement after roof damage to Tropicana Field
1 week, 5 days ago

Rays manager Kevin Cash embraces unusual home arrangement after roof damage to Tropicana Field

Associated Press  

DALLAS — Rays manager Kevin Cash returned to the Tampa Bay area the morning after Hurricane Milton struck the Florida coast in October and saw the extensive damage to the roof of his home ballpark, Tropicana Field. “Like many people, I didn’t think it was real,” Cash said at the winter meetings near downtown Dallas on Tuesday. “Your mind just …

How Yankees, Rays will handle temporary home ballpark in Tampa, Fla.
2 weeks, 1 day ago

How Yankees, Rays will handle temporary home ballpark in Tampa, Fla.

New York Times  

DALLAS — As the baseball world awaits the decision on which team superstar outfielder Juan Soto will sign with in free agency, the New York Yankees announced the details of their partnership with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2025 season. Due to damage sustained by Tropicana Field in October from Hurricane Milton, the Rays will play their home games …

St. Pete City Council votes to approve bonds for new Rays stadium, county vote next
2 weeks, 4 days ago

St. Pete City Council votes to approve bonds for new Rays stadium, county vote next

New York Times  

The St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday voted in favor of approving bonds to fund the new Tampa Bay Rays stadium in the Historic Gas Plant District. Council member Gina Driscoll indicated her support ahead of the vote, saying that the Rays hadn’t sent a termination letter. Council member Brandi Gabbard, who voted yes, said approving the bonds was effectively …

County asks Tampa Bay Rays to commit to plans for $1.3 billion ballpark by Sunday
3 weeks, 6 days ago

County asks Tampa Bay Rays to commit to plans for $1.3 billion ballpark by Sunday

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays should declare in writing whether they want to pursue an existing financing plan for a new $1.3 billion ballpark or walk away from the deal, a top county official says. Kathleen Peters, chair of the Pinellas County Commission, said in a letter to top Rays executives that the county needs to know …

St. Petersburg council rejects immediate repair to Rays’ ballpark roof after first giving approval
1 month ago

St. Petersburg council rejects immediate repair to Rays’ ballpark roof after first giving approval

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays’ ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course. “We won’t get there if we keep finding ways we can’t.” The Rays say the lack of progress puts …

Rays may not get new stadium in 2028, or at all, after vote to approve bonds postponed again
1 month ago

Rays may not get new stadium in 2028, or at all, after vote to approve bonds postponed again

New York Times  

The Tampa Bay Rays’ plans to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg, Fla., took another hit Tuesday. “The future of baseball in Tampa Bay became less certain after that vote.” The Rays and Pinellas County initially agreed to a deal in July that would eventually lead to the groundbreaking on a new stadium in St. Petersburg’s Gas Plant District. …

Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa
1 month, 1 week ago

Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 home games at the New York Yankees’ nearby spring training ballpark amid uncertainty about the future of hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field, Rays executives told The Associated Press. You’re going to see Major League Baseball in a small environment.” Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Rays-Yankees deal is good for …

Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 MLB season at AL East rivals’ George M. Steinbrenner Field
1 month, 1 week ago

Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 MLB season at AL East rivals’ George M. Steinbrenner Field

CNN  

CNN — The Tampa Bay Rays will play next season in a New York Yankees-owned ballpark. The Tampa-based George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the Yankees and their Low-A minor league affiliate, Tampa Tarpons, will serve as the Rays’ home field in 2025, the team announced on Thursday. 🩵 — Tampa Bay Rays November 14, 2024 The …

Rays to play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after hurricane damage to Trop
1 month, 1 week ago

Rays to play 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa after hurricane damage to Trop

New York Times  

The Tampa Bay Rays, for the first time in their history, will actually play their home games in Tampa. Tropicana Field, the Rays’ home facility, was “significantly damaged” during Hurricane Milton on Oct. 10, with the roof being ripped off. “We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,’’ Rays …

Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report
1 month, 1 week ago

Hurricane-damaged Tropicana Field can be fixed for about $55M in time for 2026 season, per report

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A detailed assessment of the hurricane damage to Tropicana Field concludes that the home of the Tampa Bay Rays is structurally sound and can be repaired for about $55.7 million in time for the 2026 season. The 412-page report released Tuesday by the City of St. Petersburg, which owns the building, found that the basic structure …

Tropicana Field will not be ready for Rays until 2026, according to damage assessment report
1 month, 1 week ago

Tropicana Field will not be ready for Rays until 2026, according to damage assessment report

New York Times  

Tropicana Field will not be ready for play until at least the start of the 2026 season, according to a three-week damage assessment report provided to the St. Petersburg City Council and reviewed by The Athletic on Tuesday. The 412-page report, published by Hennessy Construction Services, estimates that the total cost of repairs will be $55.72 million following significant damage …

City approves $6.5M to clean up and protect Rays stadium after Hurricane Milton
1 month, 3 weeks ago

City approves $6.5M to clean up and protect Rays stadium after Hurricane Milton

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The city of St. …

Hurricane Milton rips off Rays’ Tropicana Field roof. It was built to withstand 115-mph winds
2 months, 1 week ago

Hurricane Milton rips off Rays’ Tropicana Field roof. It was built to withstand 115-mph winds

LA Times  

The dome of Tropicana Field, home of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays, in St. Petersburg, Fla., was torn open by Hurricane Milton. Tropicana Field lost most of its roof Wednesday night as Hurricane Milton came and brought winds up to 120 mph to parts of Florida. 💙 pic.twitter.com/X9fwjZdcRX — Tampa Bay Rays October 10, 2024 Earlier this week, the …

Florida county approves deal to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Florida county approves deal to build a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium

Associated Press  

CLEARWATER, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays have the government backing they need to build a long-sought-after ballpark after the Pinellas County Commissioners approved on Tuesday the west-central Florida county’s share of the funding for the 30,000-seat stadium. It’s part of a broader $6.5 billion redevelopment project that supporters say would transform an 86-acre tract in the city’s downtown, with …

City council approves a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark — and the existing site’s transformation
5 months ago

City council approves a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark — and the existing site’s transformation

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are on track to get a long-sought new ballpark following a city council vote Thursday on a major redevelopment project that also guarantees the team will stay where it is for at least 30 years. “It is a major win for our city.” The St. Petersburg City Council voted 5-3 for the …

Future of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays to come into focus with key meetings on $1.3B stadium project
7 months, 2 weeks ago

Future of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays to come into focus with key meetings on $1.3B stadium project

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The future of the Tampa Bay Rays is about to come into clearer focus as local officials begin public discussions over a planned $1.3 billion ballpark that would be the anchor of a much larger project to transform downtown St. Petersburg with affordable housing, a Black history museum, a hotel and office and retail space. The …

Rays push for swift approval of financing deal for new Tampa Bay ballpark, part of $6B development
1 year, 1 month ago

Rays push for swift approval of financing deal for new Tampa Bay ballpark, part of $6B development

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays are pushing for swift approval of a financing deal for a new 30,000-seat ballpark, part of a much larger $6 billion redevelopment project that includes affordable housing, a hotel, a Black history museum and many other items. The St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday got its first detailed public look at the …

Rays’ Wild Card opener draws 19,704, lowest since 1919 for non-pandemic MLB postseason
1 year, 2 months ago

Rays’ Wild Card opener draws 19,704, lowest since 1919 for non-pandemic MLB postseason

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The AL Wild Card Series opener between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays drew an announced crowd of just 19,704 to Tropicana Field on Tuesday, the lowest for a postseason game since the 1919 World Series other than during the coronavirus pandemic, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Game 7 of the 1919 World Series …

Tampa Bay Rays finalizing new ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a larger urban project
1 year, 3 months ago

Tampa Bay Rays finalizing new ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a larger urban project

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The playoff-bound Tampa Bay Rays put the finishing touches Tuesday on plans for a new 30,000-seat ballpark in St. Petersburg as part of a $6.5 billion development project that includes affordable housing, retail, bars and restaurants and a Black history museum. “We’re all really thrilled that for the first time since we started this we have …

Plan outlined for new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, redevelopment
1 year, 10 months ago

Plan outlined for new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, redevelopment

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays will be built near the current one under plans unveiled Monday as part of a massive redevelopment project that also includes affordable housing, office space and retail in what was once a thriving Black neighborhood. Mayor Ken Welch, of St. Petersburg, Florida, chose a partnership between the Rays …

St. Pete mayor reopens talks on future of Rays stadium site
2 years, 5 months ago

St. Pete mayor reopens talks on future of Rays stadium site

Associated Press  

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The mayor of St. Petersburg, Florida, is reopening talks about the future of the Tropicana Field site where baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays play their home games. Welch, St. Petersburg’s first Black mayor, has made a priority of including such things as affordable housing and greater job opportunities along with Rays baseball. The Rays’ Tropicana Field lease …

MLB’s Manfred says sense of urgency in Rays’ ballpark search
2 years, 10 months ago

MLB’s Manfred says sense of urgency in Rays’ ballpark search

Associated Press  

ORLANDO, Fla. — Baseball officials “have a sense of urgency” to find a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays after scrapping a plan to split seasons between Florida and Montreal when the team’s lease at Tropicana Field expires following the 2027 season. It hampers the ability of the business to operate and the club to operate the most effective …

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