Tropicana Field Roof Ripped Off Diruing Hurricane Milton

[Handsome Wes]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

There’s no baseball stadium in Orlando. The Citrus Bowl (Camping World Stadium) is a football only stadium and would require massive renovations to make work for Major League Baseball.

Didn't the Atlanta Braves play either Spring Training or had a minor league affiliate at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex there a few years ago?

:::checking:::

Yes, seats 7,500. And it even hosted a few regular season games.

Still though, they'll probably just play at the Rays' Spring Training Facility or the Yankees.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

Didn't the Atlanta Braves play either Spring Training or had a minor league affiliate at the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex there a few years ago?

:::checking:::

Yes, seats 7,500. And it even hosted a few regular season games.

Still though, they'll probably just play at the Rays' Spring Training Facility or the Yankees.

Ohhh, that place. Technically it’s not in Orlando, it’s in Kissimmee. It hasn’t been used for Spring Training in about 4 years, so I don’t know what condition it’s in. Steinbrenner Field would be a much better option for hosting MLB reg season games.

[Enryon]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

There’s no baseball stadium in Orlando. The Citrus Bowl (Camping World Stadium) is a football only stadium and would require massive renovations to make work for Major League Baseball.

Disney's Wide World of Sports complex does have a baseball stadium. As it stands it holds 7,500. Bleachers could be added to increase that number in the outfield as there are currently no seats in the outfield. Disney once built an entire Nascar track including bleachers in a week at the TTC (Magic Kingdom) parking lot, so adding seats in the outfield will be easy for them. The dimensions of the field are the exact dimensions from the MLB rulebook.

The Braves had spring training there for 20 years. Getting MLB to sign off on the field for regular season games will be easy as regular season games have been played there in the past. The Rays have played regular season games at Disney in the past in 2007 and 2008.

Biggest advantage is that nobody is using it right now.

I could easily see the Rays spend a few years here while the new stadium is being built. I can also see every game being sold out even if they double the capacity. Disney has a massive captive audience and the Villages are close by for the older crowd.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Enryon

Disney's Wide World of Sports complex does have a baseball stadium. As it stands it holds 7,500. Bleachers could be added to increase that number in the outfield as there are currently no seats in the outfield. Disney once built an entire Nascar track including bleachers in a week at the TTC (Magic Kingdom) parking lot, so adding seats in the outfield will be easy for them. The dimensions of the field are the exact dimensions from the MLB rulebook.

The Braves had spring training there for 20 years. Getting MLB to sign off on the field for regular season games will be easy as regular season games have been played there in the past. The Rays have played regular season games at Disney in the past in 2007 and 2008.

Biggest advantage is that nobody is using it right now.

I could easily see the Rays spend a few years here while the new stadium is being built. I can also see every game being sold out even if they double the capacity. Disney has a massive captive audience and the Villages are close by for the older crowd.

Yeah, I think you missed the last few posts where we discussed this.

I stand by my “Orlando doesn’t have a baseball stadium” statement. Heh.

But if the Rays can’t make use of Disney’s Sports Complex, I’d be all for it. It would instantly become the closest MLB stadium to me.

[Enryon]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Ohhh, that place. Technically it’s not in Orlando, it’s in Kissimmee. It hasn’t been used for Spring Training in about 4 years, so I don’t know what condition it’s in. Steinbrenner Field would be a much better option for hosting MLB reg season games.

It is still is very good shape. Even if it wasn't, never underestimate Disney's ability to get it up to snuff if there is money to be made. I could see a world where the Rays take over Steinbrenner in Tampa and the Tarpons go to Disney for a few years.

[ScooterD]

I know that Rays fans aren’t exactly ravenous, but I would think that attendance at the Disney complex would get a significant boost from families on vacation that want to spend a night at the ballpark

[Enryon]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Yeah, I think you missed the last few posts where we discussed this.

I stand by my “Orlando doesn’t have a baseball stadium” statement. Heh.

But if the Rays can’t make use of Disney’s Sports Complex, I’d be all for it. It would instantly become the closest MLB stadium to me.

Totally did miss the last few posts. Oops.

I guess the only knock against Disney would be that current season ticket holders (I'm sure there are a few of them) would find it hard to get from the Tampa Bay area to Disney. Because, the number of people who would want to drive from Tampa to Disney and back on I-4 in 1 day is :checks notes: nobody.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Enryon

It is still is very good shape. Even if it wasn't, never underestimate Disney's ability to get it up to snuff if there is money to be made. I could see a world where the Rays take over Steinbrenner in Tampa and the Tarpons go to Disney for a few years.

Yeah, they could probably get it up to snuff pretty quickly. Definitely before Opening Day. I can’t imagine the Yankees would be happy about the Tarpons getting displaced though. Maybe they could just schedule both teams at GSF on alternating home stands. It’ll be interesting to see what they do.

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Enryon

Totally did miss the last few posts. Oops.

I guess the only knock against Disney would be that current season ticket holders (I'm sure there are a few of them) would find it hard to get from the Tampa Bay area to Disney. Because, the number of people who would want to drive from Tampa to Disney and back on I-4 in 1 day is :checks notes: nobody.

The War on I-4 is real and it’s horrendous.

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Ohhh, that place. Technically it’s not in Orlando, it’s in Kissimmee. It hasn’t been used for Spring Training in about 4 years, so I don’t know what condition it’s in. Steinbrenner Field would be a much better option for hosting MLB reg season games.

It hosts travel ball events now so I'm sure the conditions are fine.

Here's the current calendar

https://www.espnwwos.com/events/#eve...ball|view=list

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

Yeah, they could probably get it up to snuff pretty quickly. Definitely before Opening Day. I can’t imagine the Yankees would be happy about the Tarpons getting displaced though. Maybe they could just schedule both teams at GSF on alternating home stands. It’ll be interesting to see what they do.

I would not be happy either getting evicted from a stadium that I own.

So the Rays would need to come to agreement with the Yankees to move their farm team elsewhere.

[Handsome Wes]

Originally Posted by Enryon

never underestimate Disney's ability to get it up to snuff if there is money to be made.

ooooph, if you think that Ticketmaster is already taking too much of a cut off the sale of event access just wait until Disney gets ahold of the process

Looking forward to wanting to get cracker jacks at the concession stands and I'll have to spend more than park admission to get Disney Lightning Lane Multi Fast Pass Genie + Access

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Crosby 87

It hosts travel ball events now so I'm sure the conditions are fine.

Here's the current calendar

https://www.espnwwos.com/events/#eve...ball|view=list

I really wish they could get a minor league team in there.

[Enryon]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

ooooph, if you think that Ticketmaster is already taking too much of a cut off the sale of event access just wait until Disney gets ahold of the process

Looking forward to wanting to get cracker jacks at the concession stands and I'll have to spend more than park admission to get Disney Lightning Lane Multi Fast Pass Genie + Access

How else are you going to skip the 4 hour+ line to get the $30 limited edition rose gold pin stripe Mickey head popcorn bucket. Sadly, I am not exaggerating about the lines for the "limited Edition" popcorn buckets. They can and have exceeded 6 hours.

In reality, I can see Disney using an allotment of tickets to bundle into a upsell hotel and park package. Why stay at the All-Star resort when you can spend 3 times as much to stay at the Grand Floridian and go to a ball game?

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Handsome Wes

ooooph, if you think that Ticketmaster is already taking too much of a cut off the sale of event access just wait until Disney gets ahold of the process

Looking forward to wanting to get cracker jacks at the concession stands and I'll have to spend more than park admission to get Disney Lightning Lane Multi Fast Pass Genie + Access

Originally Posted by Enryon

How else are you going to skip the 4 hour+ line to get the $30 limited edition rose gold pin stripe Mickey head popcorn bucket. Sadly, I am not exaggerating about the lines for the "limited Edition" popcorn buckets. They can and have exceeded 6 hours.

In reality, I can see Disney using an allotment of tickets to bundle into a upsell hotel and park package. Why stay at the All-Star resort when you can spend 3 times as much to stay at the Grand Floridian and go to a ball game?

All of that is possible, BUT I’ll say this: I went to a ton of Spring Training games there in the past and it was a fine enough experience.

[JRX]

Originally Posted by Crosby 87

I would not be happy either getting evicted from a stadium that I own.

So the Rays would need to come to agreement with the Yankees to move their farm team elsewhere.

Yeah I missed where the Yankees would just give up their stadium to the Rays. Maybe if they let us do an expansion draft of their roster, you can protect 5 lol.

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

All of that is possible, BUT I’ll say this: I went to a ton of Spring Training games there in the past and it was a fine enough experience.

Will agree with this. The stadium just lacks shade for those afternoon games

[JRX]

The Orlando area is a much better option than St Petersburg.

[Mandy1320]

Pretty tragic coming home to this even as a Yankee fan.

I still grew up here in Tampa and the youth baseball scene here has always been among the strongest in the country, I would argue. It might not seem like it most of the time, but kids are raised here to be Rays fans.

As far as options, I don't know how it would make sense for another org to let them use one of their minor league stadiums at the expense of developing their talent.

To me, the most logical spot would be Durham, North Carolina. It only holds 10,000 (Rays avg attendance in 2024 was 16.5K) but they recently did some renovations including their locker rooms. It would keep them on the East Coast and even make traveling easier. The weather, especially thunderstorms, isn't nearly as bad in the summer. A lot of baseball fans are familiar with the park and having MLB games being played there would bring some eyes (hell, get Kevin Costner to throw out the first pitch).

Don't get me wrong, I want the Rays to stay in FL but I'm telling you the schedule would be a disaster and there would be sooooooo many rain-outs and double headers without a roof. The minor league teams here go through it every year.

[cfern023]

Originally Posted by Raleigh504

Just saw there is a 0% chance the Rays play in Tampa with the field have no way to handle rain with there being no roof. Also will cost over $100M to get a new one on and with them building a new stadium in Tampa it would be a waste of money.

So it does sound like they won't be in Tampa until a new stadium is complete

No lie, I see them playing their home games at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for a few years and paying the yankees rent. Its right next to raymond james stadium, set up for a good crowd of people and IN tampa.

Either that or their own ST facility

[rms13]

They should just split home games between Nashville and Charlotte to test those markets next year since they'll probably be moving to one eventually

[Crosby 87]

Originally Posted by rms13

They should just split home games between Nashville and Charlotte to test those markets next year since they'll probably be moving to one eventually

Huh. I must of missed that news that they are moving after the city & Rays announced a new stadium for 2028

[rms13]

Originally Posted by Crosby 87

Huh. I must of missed that news that they are moving after the city & Rays announced a new stadium for 2028

We'll see. They haven't broken ground yet and they have been talking for about 20 years. Either way, those cities would be next for expansion so it would make sense to play games there to test markets

[fulltritty]

Originally Posted by Crosby 87

I would not be happy either getting evicted from a stadium that I own.

So the Rays would need to come to agreement with the Yankees to move their farm team elsewhere.

Pay them the money needed to sign Soto.

[rms13]

Originally Posted by Mandy1320

Pretty tragic coming home to this even as a Yankee fan.

I still grew up here in Tampa and the youth baseball scene here has always been among the strongest in the country, I would argue. It might not seem like it most of the time, but kids are raised here to be Rays fans.

As far as options, I don't know how it would make sense for another org to let them use one of their minor league stadiums at the expense of developing their talent.

To me, the most logical spot would be Durham, North Carolina. It only holds 10,000 (Rays avg attendance in 2024 was 16.5K) but they recently did some renovations including their locker rooms. It would keep them on the East Coast and even make traveling easier. The weather, especially thunderstorms, isn't nearly as bad in the summer. A lot of baseball fans are familiar with the park and having MLB games being played there would bring some eyes (hell, get Kevin Costner to throw out the first pitch).

Don't get me wrong, I want the Rays to stay in FL but I'm telling you the schedule would be a disaster and there would be sooooooo many rain-outs and double headers without a roof. The minor league teams here go through it every year.

My parents moved to Tampa 25 years ago and I've been there a couple of times a year since including last week. I don't think I've ever seen someone wearing any Rays gear outside of a game at the Trop. I see people around town with Bucs and Lighting gear on all the time. The team doesn't seem to be part of the larger culture of the area. I grew up in MA and you couldn't walk down a street in the entire state without seeing someone with a Red Sox hat on. I'm sure there is a group of dedicated Rays fans but they seem to be a very small part of the population. Having Yankees spring training in Tampa and so many transplants from the north east doesn't help