I like this, temporarily Tampa plays in the west, Houston to the Central and Cleveland or Detroit to the East.The Rays pulling more fans than Oakland did in Oakland, and the Rays did in Tampa, combined, would be fucking hilarious.
I like this, temporarily Tampa plays in the west, Houston to the Central and Cleveland or Detroit to the East.The Rays pulling more fans than Oakland did in Oakland, and the Rays did in Tampa, combined, would be fucking hilarious.
Yes, which is why they're not talking about repairing it. It's not like it's irreparable. It's just expensive and since it's going to be torn down in four years anyway, they don't want to do it.Is the long term plan to tear down the Trop once their new ballpark is built?
You said this eleven posts back and there were some good reasons why this wouldn’t work. Any thoughts on the feedback?I like this, temporarily Tampa plays in the west, Houston to the Central and Cleveland or Detroit to the East.
Never going to happen. If the Rays were moving permanently, sure. They're not doing it on a temp basis, and certainly not going to redo the entire 2025 schedule at this stage to accommodate a problem with simpler solutions.I like this, temporarily Tampa plays in the west, Houston to the Central and Cleveland or Detroit to the East.
That's probably the best option, but it brings into play the problem with having an MLB team in Florida in the first place: the Summer weather sucks.George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa might actually work. It has a seating capacity of 11,026 people. In 2024, the average Tampa Bay Ray attendance was 16,515, down from the previous year's total of 17,781. Add some outfield seats and there you go.
- Seats: Reserved seating, field boxes, and right field deck
- Luxury suites: 13 suites, each with a capacity of 20 guests
The ballpark also has various amenities, including:
- A dugout club with a full-service bar, buffet food, and private restrooms
- A bullpen club or 3B club
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Montreal isn't happening. Their roof needs repairs and that's going to take three years.For any lingering Montreal supporters, I think that’s an appalling idea.
Would it be fun/convenient for Boston fans? Sure! But no offense, the world probably doesn’t revolve around us, and the Tampa fan base, modest though it may be, should be the top priority. (Provided a safe playing environment, of which there are plenty within an hour’s drive of the Trop.)
And the Oakland thing is just an amusing thought exercise, right? Nothing about that makes sense except fuck John Fisher.
While I agree with your logic completely and know if won't happen, being able to say Fuck John Fisher would almost be enough to make it worth it.And the Oakland thing is just an amusing thought exercise, right? Nothing about that makes sense except fuck John Fisher.
Could the schedule be adjusted to share Atlanta and MiamiThat's probably the best option, but it brings into play the problem with having an MLB team in Florida in the first place: the Summer weather sucks.
The Marlins handled it when they played in what is now Hard Rock Stadium, so they'll be able to slog through it for a couple of years. But there's a reason the Rays and Marlins play in domes.
Atlanta climate is likely quite a bit different than Tampa, even in the peak of summer. We are less humid and not as stormy and sometimes get a cold wedge from Appalachians resulting in a cloudy and relatively cool day. I imagine it rains every afternoon in Tampa in summer like it does in Orlando during our Disney trips and doesn't cool down as much in the evenings. I think the reputation as Hotlanta is overblown.Texas played outdoor games for damn near 5 decades. Atlanta does and Tampa and Atlanta aren’t very different climate-wise.
I don't think the canopy is over the field itself, which probably means it wouldn't cause cat-walk type problems. I imagine that the renovations that included that overhang undid the modular bleachers/grandstands that allowed the stadium to convert to a baseball configuration. If the Rays were to play any home games in Miami, more likely they'd just share Loan Depot Park with the Marlins than invest in making Hard Rock Stadium baseball ready again.Could they even play baseball games at Hard Rock with the overhanging canopy (built long after the Marlins left there)? Not sure exactly how the canopy is positioned over what used to be (and would become again) the baseball field. Then again, we've had 26 years of balls hitting the catwalks, haven't we?