ST. PETERSBURG, FL — In a country with so much pain and suffering, from the tragedy in California to the wild weather in the Midwest, South, and Northeast, Floridians cannot and should not complain about the “frigid” weather here.
We have gone from night-time temperatures in the 30’s to 70’s in the daytime. We have had our share of gloom and doom, experiencing three hurricanes that devastated much of our state. But, I am not sitting at the computer to inform you of our weather conditions but to enlighten you in the trials and tribulations of the Tampa Bay Rays.
On October 9th of last year, Hurricane Milton took the roof off Tropicana Field, leaving it unplayable for the 2025 Rays baseball season.
Let me update you. Please be advised that I am not privy to much of the inner workings of the County and City administrations and the Rays hierarchy. I am reporting on what I read about and see on the local news, so much of this article will be my opinion only, with the facts thrown in for “venting” purposes.
The Pinellas County Commissioners and the City of St Petersburg have approved the bonds to raise their “share” of the money for the Rays’ new ballpark, originally scheduled to be ready for the 2028 baseball season. The Rays, however, have not formally announced that they are still looking to “invest” in a new stadium that will not be ready until the 2029 baseball season. The County and City have imposed a March 31, 2025, deadline for the Rays to indicate their intentions.
One of several projected renderings for a Tampa Bay Rays new stadium, released to the public last year – Image Credit: Tampa Bay Rays/MLB
Why, you ask? Ninety-eight (98) days have passed since the roof was blown away, and the City, per the current lease agreement, is responsible for repairing the roof but has done nothing toward that end.
So, the Tampa Bay Rays 2025 baseball regular season schedule will be played at George Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees and home field for their Single A minor league team, Tampa Tarpons, With a seating capacity of 11000+ seats a revenue loss for the Ray will be approximately 5000 fans per game for 81 games. That being said, the Rays revenue problem will be increased significantly if the repairs are not made to allow the Rays to return to Tropicana Field in 2026.
New York Yankees Spring Training Home: George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, will now be the home of the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2025 MLB regular season – Image Credit: Bill Menzel/Latino Sports
Stalemate! The City does not want to spend the money to fix Tropicana, which will be torn down in 2-3 years. I can understand that, and the Rays want it fixed so they can return to recoup some of their loss.
So, folks, we do not have the problems facing a big chunk of our country, but here in the “swamp,” baseball fans wonder what will happen and when.
As the late Paul Harvey used to say, “Now you know the rest of the story.”
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