sun PHOTO BY TOM O'NEILL Charlotte County spokesman Brian Gleason said via email that Charlotte County has enjoyed partnering with the Tampa Bay Rays on their spring training camp and player development program since 2009. Other Franchises: Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Colts (five total championships, two Super Bowl victories), Indiana Fever. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. "This selection validates all the hard work," Auld said. 4.26.2023. A spokeswoman for Simpson confirmed that he and other Pasco County state legislators would consider seeking state aid for a proposed training site, depending on the details.. Walt Disney World Resort said its looking forward to providing. A spokesman for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor declined to comment as well, noting that the city would not be involved in that concept. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. 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. out of the belief they could bring an MLB team to the stadium instead. 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'. The two closest teams to Charlotte (Braves & Nats) are both NL, so having a Carolina team be AL only makes sense, 7. "It's not just for a ballgame but an entire experience.". 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. The Rays' Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. 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? 2023 Leaders Group. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1. 1? Sure, the Expos had their legal fights, and they have their legal fans, but does a Tampa franchise struggling with attendance and stadium issues want to go back to the same problem but this time in a country that might be indifferent? 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 . That said, on this list, I find this destination the least likely. There are already 2 teams in Texas that have been there for a long time (Astros since 1962, Rangers since 1971), and they have taken up the majority of the fan interest. Floridians dont care about baseball as much hence Florida Marlins. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. 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. The Rays play their home games at Tropicana Field as members of Major League Baseball's American League East Division.. , 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. 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. 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. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues. 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. The Rays use the facility on a year-round basis for extended spring training, complex and instructional league play, and mini-camps. Timely, daily updates provide the latest developments and news relied upon by industry leaders. And while the STORY of the Rays (small fries defeating the big time spending giants) is great dramatic fodder, no one, at least in person, is seeing it. Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training: Southern Exposure. Lets be real. Population: 567,641 (28th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: None. History. 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. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. Its the fifth fastest growing city in the US, and a growing city for sports aswell with the Panthers boasting the 7th highest average attendence in 2018 despite being a relatively new expansion team, 5. Why? Learn More. The city has experimented with five different minor league baseball teams since 1903 with limited success. However, as I just stated, this is geared towards getting a new team. Population:709,441 (18th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Teams in the City: Carolina Panthers. Other Franchises: San Antonio Spurs (four championships), San Antonio Silver Stars. The Rays have trained since . Plus, the only teams the Rays would have to compete with for attendance would be the Nevada Wolfpack and the UNLV Rebels' college teamswell, and the Lingerie Football League (pictured above), but I do not think they will be able to cause the same attendance troubles the Rays have at the moment. The Rays have not yet finalized their plans for Spring Training, but they are considering a variety of options. 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. Las Vegas has already lost out on the Sacramento Kings who decided to stay put and the Phoenix Coyotes decision to keep their franchise in its current location. It's time for the Rays to move the franchise to a city where they can gain the support they need to continue as one of the AL's best teams for years to come. Team Puerto Ricos scheduled exhibition game against the Rays on Thursday, March 9 will now be hosted by the Atlanta Braves at North Port. Nashvilles high interest makes them the most attractive of the out of state relocation options, but again, a desire for a new team and a lack of a temporary stadium make this difficult when they collide with the Rays lengthy lease and their TV deals in Florida. The latter ideacomes from state Sen. William Simpson, R-Trilby, current senate president. 1. 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. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. 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. 2021 Half Street High Heat A Nationals Podcast, Nats Parks New BetMGM Sportsbook is Great. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Is it likely? 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. Related: Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory. Braves brace for spring training push following World Series victory, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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. Orlando is a smaller city than Tampa, but it gains much more tourist revenue. So is it their time yet? How awesome would a brand new baseball stadium look near the Las Vegas strip? The multifield complex will give the Rays the space they need for their Spring Training workouts. Overall, Welch said, the idea is to create a destination for people who come to Rays games, as well as build a new community. Charlotte Sports Park has been Tampa Bay's Spring Training home since 2009. "I am a child of the Gas Plant," Welch said. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. From 2009 to 2020, it also hosted the Charlotte Stone Crabs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Tampa Bays home game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, Feb. 26, has been removed from the schedule. 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). But appearances can be deceiving, and there's . Co-founder and retired executive of the Orlando Magic. The city of Indianapolis already has a winning team in the Colts, but there is no reason the Rays cannot succeed in Indy as well. The Rays could go to North Carolina, continue winning and give sports fans in the state a team they can root for in the postseason, aside from the North Carolina Tar Heels and Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA tournament. The 2023 Tampa Bay Rays season is the 26th season of the Tampa Bay Rays franchise and their 16th as the Rays. The mayor's grandfather ran a woodyard business there before the neighborhood was essentially obliterated by Tropicana Field. Their attendance matches the teams talent level, and the Bucs have had great success, even before Tom Brady showed up in town. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Let's be real. 1. The Trailblazers, in thick and thin (mostly thin in the last few decades), have stuck by them, and the Portland Timbers, a new MLS franchise, is making soccer viable in the US in at least one section of the country. The Rays have trained in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009. All rights reserved.The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Leaders Group. It did help with putting us a little more on the map with travelers and tourists, he added. "This team is the best partner for this generational endeavor, and now the next phase of work begins to bring this dream to reality for everyone in St. Petersburg," Welch said in a speech on the steps of City Hall. Other Franchises: Portland Trailblazers (one championship), Portland Timbers. 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. Tampa This was the only city that was going to be number 1. Other Franchises: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (average attendance: 49,000-plus; one championship), Tampa Bay Lightning (average attendance: 17,000-plus; one championship). More than two decades of archival stories, profiles, research and data. 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. 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. dedicated to making a push for their own Major League Baseball team. The article I linked mentions how San Antonio is a tad crowded, and that Austin is a government city, and that a better place for a Rays stadium would be in between the cities, in a place like San Marco, or New Braunfels. With the Athletics buying land for a new stadium in . A playoff game. In 2018, he listed Nashville, along with Las Vegas, Charlotte, Montreal, Portland and Vancouver as potential . The plan calls for a new domed stadium to be ready for the 2028 season opener; the Rays' current stadium lease is up in 2027. 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. https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2023/04/26/Franchises/tampa-bay-rays-standings-topicana-field-tickets.aspx. The Rays Minor League camp will be based out of the Disney complex throughout Spring Training. The Rays and Charlotte County announced the decision in a joint statement on Thursday night. The team is considering several options and hopes to make a decision in the next few weeks. Here are five cities that would likely be great fits for the Rays. Population: 676,640 (19th among U.S. cities), Other Professional Sports Teams in the City: Memphis Grizzlies. There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. 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. I need not remind everyone theres no team between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. Archived post. Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you. Like Indy, I find the market perfect due to the population numbers and lack of in-city competition during the high-ratings portions of the leagues but see the fan expectations as an issue. Theres also the fact that the Rays would have nowhere to play until they move, which sours the idea of an immediate relocation. The article I linked mentions how San Antonio is a tad crowded, and that Austin is a government city, and that a better place for a Rays stadium would be in between the cities, in a place like San Marco, or New Braunfels. One of the drawbacks, however, would be the very low population. So is it possible? The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. 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?). Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. 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. Legacy: The Portland Beavers have been a AAA affiliate (or minor league affiliate in some capacity) since the beginning of the 20th century. 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. Other Franchises: Montreal Canadiens (24 championships). Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg, Florida, chose a partnership between the Rays and the Houston-based Hines development company from among four proposals to transform an 86-acre (34-hectare) downtown site where Tropicana Field now sits. Renderings indicate the old stadium would be demolished. 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. Click below to sign in. One thing I can say is that Portland folks are extremely outgoing and very loyal. 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. While this proposal has some ground, its one that needs to become more concrete, and works better for an expansion franchise. San Antonio, despite immense basketball success, is considered small market. 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. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. 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. The 2020 season was cancelled because of COVID-19 pandemic concerns. 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. 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. It time to move on to more deserving cities. Tampa Bay Rays will use Disney, Tropicana Field as temporary spring training locations. Where . But, lets say the Rays come to town. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disneys ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. 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. | Powered By: Web Seo Wiz. Privacy Policy. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. As a matter of fact, there were some in, Charlotte that did not want to give the Knights a new stadium. Tampa Bay Rays. 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. The market, fan interest, history, community, and financial backing all exist, making this a great option if theyre willing to have a relocated franchise. Montreal was viable once so, of course, it can be again and the Blue Jays, through thick and thin, have stuck around. The Rays and Charlotte County announced on Dec. 1 that the club would not be able to hold Spring Training at Charlotte Sports Park. If the team were moved to the city in which is takes it name from, would that attendance increase? If you can plop a stadium right into downtown Tampa, you get it all. The team's AAA affiliate has not had a lot of attendance success so the expectation of fan excitement and fan attendance may need to be studied further. 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. As part of the move to Charlotte, the Rays moved their Class A team from Vero Beach to Charlotte County. Charlotte, N.C. 2 of 5 The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. This was the only city that was going to be number 1. Not to mention that the Triple-A Charlotte Knights get pretty good attendance, at least when COVID isnt affecting their numbers. Get notified on your phone in the morning with the latest forecast and news to start your day. They have a temporary stadium that could possibly be upgraded. 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. The Rays easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. Already a subscriber? The Titans and Predators have no issues with attendance and are immensely popular in the region, while Nashville also had the, highest economic growth of any American city in 2021. . Why are the Rays in St Pete? Daily updates aggregating the stories and spin from more than 600 outlets across the globe. That being said, lets get to it! 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. The biggest reason to move to Charlotte is because it is an untapped baseball market. The Rays current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp.. The downsides of this proposal are apparent. 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. But it happens, even to the best of teams, the best of fans and even the most successful of franchises. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. In 2021, as part of an overall reorganization of minor league baseball, the Rays moved theirClass A-advanced affiliate to South Carolina. 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. 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. "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 . The storm struck the southwest coast of Florida and slowly moved across the state. NHL Lightning & Panthers. 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. 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. Right now, even as it struggles for in-person fans, Tampa draws close to 15 percent of Hartford's entire population per game. "Folks want to be here. This is the ONLY place the Rays need to go. Rays to Disney's sports complex before games at the Trop. With Charlotte Sports Park damaged from Hurricane Ian, the Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives. Yes. PETERSBURG -- Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ian, the Rays will not be able to hold Spring Training in Port Charlotte next year. If the Rays were to leave the Tampa-St.Pete area, this should be the first place they should consider going. It would work out, believe me it will. Commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly stated his desire to expand to 32 teams. 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. 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. 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. Legacy: San Antonio is known as a basketball town with the two major franchises being the NBA and the WNBA. 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. The Tampa Bay Rays have baseball's best offense, . With a . 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. But why isnt it the first option? NO LEVER LEFT UNPULLED: SPORTS BUSINESS JOURNAL's Erik Bacharach noted the Rays started the season with 13 consecutive wins and the front office pulled all the levers it could to maximize, from a business perspective, the unexpected run of on-field success," including "efforts in ticketing, marketing and fan experience. The Rays relied heavily on their organic communications through social and email to capitalize on the buzz around the team -- especially as it related to ticketing." MLB Power Rankings: Who's No. 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. Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in suitable condition to host games. Required fields are marked *. Because they play somewhere accessible for the greater Tampa Bay area. Then they lost them. Welch said the plan should keep the Rays in St. Petersburg for the long term. The Rays dropped to 14-1 . The Rays Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. 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 Rays have trained since 2009 in Port Charlotte, Florida, about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, and intend to explore several options before making a . Charlotte is a fast growing city, and theres tons of potential in every way. They have a lease that runs through 2031 after recent extensions, according to the Port Charlotte Sun. Can this problem be solved with money and a stadium move to Tampa proper? 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. Period. 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. 1:50. The Indiana Pacers are floundering at the moment, which would provide the Rays with an opening to win over the Indianapolis fanbase. We are thankful for Disneys willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs, Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. "Charlotte County supports the Rays efforts to secure alternative accommodations for 2023 spring training," the statement . Tampa Bays Major League operations will move from the Walt Disney World Resort to Tropicana Field at the beginning of March, and the Rays will play the remainder of their spring home games at the Trop. 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. "It will no longer be a dream denied. 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. December 2, 2022 in Grapefruit League Teams, Tampa Bay Rays. 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. Its definitely still a possibility and a good idea at that. "We are solely focused on the Sister City plan and keeping the Rays in Tampa Bay for generations," said Rays' president Brian Auld. (AP image). ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season., The Rays announced earlier this month that they would not be able to host spring training at their facility in Port Charlotte because repairs to their complex could not be made in time for spring training.
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