The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. Click below to sign in. 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. And any time a team threatens or considers folding, Portland is in the cards. Central Texas is one of the most populous areas in the United States, and there have been talks of them potentially hosting another sports team for some time. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays seem to be connecting with their base even as they scour both sides of the bay for a new home, as the team prior to last night had not lost at home and had "yet to draw a crowd of less than 10,000, according to Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY. The city has a very high population and has quite a large media market as well, which would help promote the Rays and perhaps sell out more than just one game per year. NHL Lightning & Panthers. The Rays and Charlotte County announced on Dec. 1 that the club would not be able to hold Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park. The downsides of this proposal are apparent. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. The Charlotte Stone Crabs enjoyed an 11-year run in Charlotte County. The Rays also have history at The Stadium, formerly known as Champion Stadium. The downsides of this proposal are apparent. A. . According to the Tampa Bay Times, the Rays may have identified a future ballpark location at the recently abandoned K-Force headquarters building on the north side of ongoing redevelopment at. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training: Southern Exposure. One of the drawbacks, however, would be the very low population. More than two decades of archival stories, profiles, research and data. Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on Feb. 14, with early arrivals slated for Feb. 6. I think the loyal sports followers would go, but I think the biggest problem would be how spoiled the fans would be. So, even if the Rays do end up making the. sun PHOTO BY TOM O'NEILL There was also a proposal to split their home games between St. Petersburg and Montreal that was rejected by Major League Baseball. So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. Orlando is a smaller city than Tampa, but it gains much more tourist revenue. So is it their time yet? Relocate to Montreal or Nashville where they can draw fans, same can said for the Marlins, Imagine converting one-fourth of that 100,000 television audience to home games live. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. The Tampa Bay Rays are still considering a move to Tampa after winning the bid to redevelop part of St. Petersburg's Historic Gas Plant District, the team's president, Brian Auld, told Patch. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bay's Spring Training home since 2009. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. The Rays dropped to 14-1 . The Rays have arguably the best bullpen in the big leagues. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. 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. 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. Sign up for the Rays Report weekly newsletter to get fresh perspectives on the Tampa Bay Rays and the rest of the majors from sports columnist John Romano. 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. 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. Tampa Bays home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 26, has been removed from the schedule. 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 Trop was built as a hockey arena, and even the Lightning found it wasn't as suitable for it, moving to the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. The team rebounded in 2010 by winning the AL East for the second time in three years with a 96-66 record, but the Rays fell to the eventual World Series champion Texas Rangers in the ALDS. "It will no longer be a dream denied. Pat Williams has made a direct appeal to Rays management about a move to the city of Orlando. Analysis: With the Tampa Bay area splitting residents up all over the place, an increase in population could work in the Rays favor if they moved to Charlotte. Earle Kimel primarily covers south Sarasota County for the Herald-Tribune and can be reached at earle.kimel@heraldtribune.com. Other Franchises: No major sport franchises. 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'. Population: 567,641 (28th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: None. According to the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have almost 100,000 fans watching their games (per game) at home due to the long trek from Tampa to St. Petersburg. The team's lease with their Spring training facility in Port Charlotte runs through 2028. Related: Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory. 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. The Raleigh-based Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) have also begun to sputter. 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 . "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. 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. 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?). This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. From 2009 to 2020, it also hosted the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. The city of Omaha has also risen in the population rankings from 47th to 40th since 1990, which indicates a growing interest in the area and perhaps a growing fanbase if the trend continues. That being said, lets get to it! Much like the last two cities on this list, Nashville would be better off receiving an expansion franchise than sorting through recruiting the Rays. Follow our Tampa Bay Times sports team on Twitter and Facebook. Your email address will not be published. Maestas talks with SBJs Abe Madkour about the early days of Navigate, which he said he founded with too little knowledge, though good fortune as far as timing made up for my mistakes. Maestas traces his career path and personal development, and highlights the attributes and practices that he believes help make a successful business person and human being. https://twitter.com/PDriscollTBT/status/1398317459220881408?s=20 Its also a decent distance from Florida. 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. Id be on the road for leisure travel sales and when I mentioned I was from the Port Charlotte area, before the Rays came on, a lot of time Id get stares, because people didnt know where we were located, said Doherty who started with the bureau in 2005 as the sports marketing manager. 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. "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 . , 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. They would have a fan base and really wouldnt effect the St.Louis Cardinals. "Folks want to be here. 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). City officials decided early on that the city would attempt to attract Major League Baseball. the Tampa Bay Rays ridiculous plan to split their season between the Tampa area and Montreal. Perhaps not. 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 . Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. 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. ST. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. I think it is about time the world's largest playground gets a professional sports team. 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. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated his desire to expand to 32 teams. How awesome would a brand new baseball stadium look near the Las Vegas strip? 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. Tampa Bay's success on the field has not translated to putting fans in the stands of Tropicana Field though, which is a big reason why their payroll continues to remain low and will not be doing them any favors as the trade deadline approaches in 2011. 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. 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. 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. 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. December 1, 2022. Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic. K.C. Already a subscriber? Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Analysis: Being about 20 minutes from the worldwide leader in sports, ESPN, might help you get the stakes up, but will it provide the lasting touch into sustaining a franchise long term? The Rays "seem to be connecting with their base even as they scour both sides of the bay for a new home," as the team prior to last night had not lost at home and had "yet to draw a crowd of less than 10,000," according to Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY. 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. 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. But the population, mostly consisting of people aged between 20 and 50 and with a solid but still lower-to-middle income, might enjoy a change of sports scenery. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. "Following a joint assessment of the . Your email address will not be published. Can this problem be solved with money and a stadium move to Tampa proper? 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. , and with the split-season proposal with Montreal shot down, the idea is gaining traction. 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. Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic Pat Williams has made a direct appeal to Rays management about a move to the city of Orlando. But it happens, even to the best of teams, the best of fans and even the most successful of franchises. Tampa Bay Rays will use Disney, Tropicana Field as temporary spring training locations. 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. Where . Were always looking for top-tier events, like the Rays Spring Training, for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.. 2023 Leaders Group. With a . 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. The Rays declined through an email from a team spokesman to comment further. While the Whalers were a popular franchise in Hartford, Hartford is just plain inexperienced at handling major league sports. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. I'd say yes. If the team were moved to the city in which is takes it name from, would that attendance increase? The Rays dropped to 14-1 at home after losing to the Astros. Other Franchises: Portland Trailblazers (one championship), Portland Timbers. Award-winning original reporting, with in-depth profiles, timely research and expert opinions on the biggest issues and stories in sports business. But, lets say the Rays come to town. Privacy Policy. Well see, he added. By then, the sports park then known as Charlotte County Stadium had been without a spring training club since 2002, when the Texas Rangers left for Arizona, after spending 15 years there. 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. Central Texas is one of the most populous areas in the United States, and there have been talks of them potentially hosting another sports team for some time. "At the moment there's not something concrete with any of these clubs, but I'm told he's open to make a top club move in the summer so it's one to watch for sure. Archived post. The Rays have had a charmed first month of the 2023 season, and plays like the one Wander Franco made against the Astros on Monday are what's fueled such a dominant start. 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. Compare pay for popular roles and read about the team's work-life balance. While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. But as for baseball, Indianapolis has the AAA affiliate for the usually awful Pittsburgh Pirates. 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 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). Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. Why? 2023 Leaders Group. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. ", 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 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. Register for a free SBJ account to unlock one extra article per month. Move the Tampa Rays to Memphis. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. 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. Attendance is always low. Period. Uncover why Tampa Bay Rays is the best company for you. 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. 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. Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). We are thrilled to be bringing Major League Baseball back to Walt Disney World Resort, Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports, said in a statement. The Spurs have been world class forwellever it seems. There have also been professional leagues but, if substantial, it was back in the 19th century. "Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training," the statement . Legacy: Hartford is perhaps more known for its former franchise, aka The Whalers, then anything else. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bays Spring Training home since 2009. In the case of the Tampa Bay Rays, relocation and contraction have been words that have plagued the franchise, both through years and years of frustrating on the field struggles and during a still-running streak of division winning success. Period. 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 . 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. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. 4/24/2023 - Tampa Bay Rays amplify the wave to capitalize on record-tying start, SBJ Spotlight: Rich McKay of AMB Sports and Entertainment, Anquan Boldin on how the Players Coalition continues to fight for social justice, Jalen Rose on being a business-minded athlete, and why NIL is good for college players, Bill Simmons on the creation of ESPNs 30 for 30 documentaries. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. 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 . Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. 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. History. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. There werent as many teams near the teams former spring training home Lake Buena Vista. 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. While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. Ticket information for the Rays Spring Training games will be released in January. 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. 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. Analysis: Baseball can work in Texas. They want to be next to a vibrant downtown," Welch said. Legacy: Charlotte has never been much of a baseball town.
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