Tampa Bay Rays and Steinbrenner Field

[Bobbyraz49]

So where are the real RAYs on fixing the Trop or getting a new ballpark?

[happyharrell]

Originally Posted by Brad K

There are a few things incorrect with your analysis. The Skyway goes from St Pete to Bradenton. So whether the Rays play in St Pete or Tampa they are on the same side of the bridge, the north side.

They're not going to outdraw in Tampa what they did at Tropicana. They average 17k attendance at Tropicana. The capacity at Steinbrenner is 11k.

It's the Howard Frankland that separates Tampa and St. Pete. But yeah, the Skyway connects St. Pete to Manatee County (thought it's a bit further to actually get to Bradenton.)

Funny enough, the water below the Skyway is technically in Hillsborough County, so the bridge spans three counties.

[LansdowneSt]

Originally Posted by Bobbyraz49

So where are the real RAYs on fixing the Trop or getting a new ballpark?

The new stadium deal in Tampa died today:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/...-ballpark.html

[Bobbyraz49]

Originally Posted by LansdowneSt

The new stadium deal in Tampa died today:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/...-ballpark.html

Many thanks.

[Brad K]

When the owner of a team decides getting a stadium for half price isn't financially viable, the governments involved should realize it isn't viable for them either.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by Mr. Marlin

Even in the smaller park they will be much closer to the center of the market population. Don't be surprised if the attendance surprises.

There was an article on a national news site stating what you did in your previous post. I'm guessing you read it. Sorry, but the writer was misinformed.

I don't know that Steinbrenner is closer to the center of population. The center of the population of the Tampa Bay Area is somewhere in the middle of Tampa Bay. This is the reason why there is no ballpark location convenient to most of the fans.

What attendance surprises could there be other than an MLB team that drew 17k on average last year not being able to sell out an 11k seat ball park?

I don't know where the person who wrote the news article is located but it's quite obvious they have zero experience with or understanding of the reality on the ground in the Tampa Bay area.

[Mr. Marlin]

Originally Posted by Brad K

There was an article on a national news site stating what you did in your previous post. I'm guessing you read it. Sorry, but the writer was misinformed.

I don't know that Steinbrenner is closer to the center of population. The center of the population of the Tampa Bay Area is somewhere in the middle of Tampa Bay. This is the reason why there is no ballpark location convenient to most of the fans.

What attendance surprises could there be other than an MLB team that drew 17k on average last year not being able to sell out an 11k seat ball park?

I don't know where the person who wrote the news article is located but it's quite obvious they have zero experience with or understanding of the reality on the ground in the Tampa Bay area.

Don't look at me I didn't even know the name of the right bridge. But I think it's all moot now after last week. Sternberg killed baseball in Tampa Bay in all likelihood. St. Pete probably won't deal with him now and the money and drive to build a stadium just isn't there in Tampa. Maybe a new ownership can make it happen. Maybe not. But I think at this point either Sternberg is leaving the Bay area or the Rays are. Maybe Orlando wouldn't be a bad option. At least it doesn't have a large body of water splitting the population. Like you said there is no spot that's perfect for everyone.

[Brad K]

You're right that either the owner or the owner and team are leaving the area.

[ojoe]

[QUOTE=Ross333;5171296]

Originally Posted by ojoe

Thanks for the data. Good points. I am interested in seeing post 2014 #s.

One thing you are wrong about: “The Sacramento River is still there and should still produce a stiff Delta breeze most nights. Anybody coming to a night game in August expecting it to be hot all the way through should probably still bring a jacket. It might be hot all night, but it can also go from 105 to sweater weather a lot quicker than you'd expect, especially when you're right on the river.” I’ve been 500+ games at this park. During the summer it will maybe go down from 105 to 85 by 10 p.m. - definitely not sweater weather.

Maybe I'm thinking about walking over the Tower Bridge afterwards, but I've definitely been cold plenty of times leaving that stadium in July and August.

[yclept]

I think the best part for Oakland hitters will be the smaller foul territory.

Dimensions are essentially the same as the Coliseum, but we don't know how the weather will impact the park.

You can make some inferences from minor league ball, but it's still minor league ball. Until we see some MLB games played there, it is impossible to know how it will play.