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Selig still “concerned” about Rays ballpark situation

Tampa Bay RaysMLB Commissioner Bud Selig is still concerned about the Tampa Bay Rays ballpark situation and plans to meet with team leadership as soon as they’re willing to talk about possible solutions.

“We will have very meaningful discussions. Whenever they’re ready, I’m ready,” Selig told the St. Petersburg Times. “They know what they need, and they know that I’m here to help them in every way.”

The Rays ownership has been pretty patient on the whole ballpark front, focusing instead on building a strong farm system and producing prospects to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox. The patient approach actually appears to be working, as Pinellas County is debating a hike in bed taxes to help pay for a new facility. With no real pressure to act — bonds on The Trop will be paid off in 2015, and the Rays’ lease there runs past that — there’s no leverage the Rays can put on Pinellas County anyway.

And Selig admits there are no meetings scheduled, no requests from the Rays ownership. Yes, Bud is probably ready to act — but that this point his involvement may be counter-productive.

RELATED STORIES: Pinellas County mulls hotel-tax extension for new Rays ballpark; Rays: No, we’re not interested in limiting ballpark search to St. Pete ; Can Tampa Bay support MLB?; St. Pete officials now say Trop is replaceable — at a price; Potential new player emerges in Rays ballpark battle; Rays: Time to talk new ballpark again; Rays ballpark brawl: Tampa versus St. Pete; Three Rays ballpark sites recommended by committee; New Rays ballpark discussion shifts to Tampa; Group: Any new Rays ballpark needs retractable roof; Group: Renovating Trop isn’t option in keeping Rays; Rays task force may have prelim recommendations by June — but no site; Rays propose Carillon Town Center site for ballpark

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