A renovation of Tropicana Field won't address the many problems with the facility, as a St. Pete citizen group appointed to study the issue says the future of baseball in Tampa Bay lies in a new ballpark.
A renovation of Tropicana Field won't address the many problems with the facility, as a St. Pete citizen group appointed to study the issue says the future of baseball in Tampa Bay lies in a new ballpark.
Not a surprise: Short of taking off the roof (which, apparently, was discussed), there are very few ways to expand Tropicana Field past basically tearing it down and start again. Now, admittedly, we have a soft spot for the Trop, and we think the current Rays ownership has done everything possible to make it an inviting venue.
But it will never yield the sort of revenues expected from an MLB team; it will lack the high-end amenities well-heeled fans expect. And that's just part of the economic reality of modern baseball.
So the recommendation of a new ballpark isn't a surprise; it was an inevitability. Next will come the wrangling over where the new ballpark should be built and who pays for it: big issues that require some bold thinking. But at least the debate can continue without the distraction of arguing whether Tropicana Field can be renovated.
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