Top Menu

Hillsborough County ready to make run at new Rays ballpark

Tampa Bay RaysTired of the lack of progress on development of a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark, an influential Hillsborough County commissioner says he’s ready to get the county directly involved in discussions.

The Rays have been talking for years with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster, local business leaders and regional politicians about a replacement for Tropicana Dome, all to little effect: Foster’s position has always been that the team is tied to the Trop until 2027 and threatened legal action against anyone who interferes in that lease. That’s quieted much discussion of a new ballpark.

Enough is enough, says commission chair Ken Hagan, who has instructed county staff to research whether any threatened lawsuit has a chance of success. If he gets the answer he wants, look for him to jumpstart discussions with the Rays:

“I’m just beyond frustrated at the lack of progress regarding the Rays’ long-term future in the Tampa Bay region,” Hagan told the Tampa Bay Times. “For me, just sitting by idly and hoping issues will work themselves out is counterproductive.”

Tropicana Field is arguably the worst ballpark in the major leagues; only O.co Coliseum comes close, and the home of the Oakland Athletics has the advantage of being an outdoor facility. The Rays probably have done as much with the Trop as possible in terms of upgrades and fan amenities, but at the end of the day it may be impossible for the team to attract the high-priced customers and sponsors needed to compete in MLB. Truth is, the Rays have gotten a little lucky on the baseball front with the additions of the likes of Joe Maddon and Evan Longoria in recent years; a low-payroll team cannot consistently compete.

RELATED STORIES: Rays: Prove to us Tampa Bay can support baseball; Could this be the year for a new Rays ballpark?; Regional ballpark authority pitched for Tampa Bay; Mayor, council differ on approach to Rays ballpark issue; Tampa: We could have $100M for new Rays ballpark; Yet another group seeks to break Rays ballpark logjam; St. Pete mayor: there’s nothing wrong with the Trop; Tampa, St. Pete business leaders combine forces for new Rays ballpark; Could Rays declare bankruptcy to escape Trop lease?; Tampa Sports Authority declines to participate in Rays ballpark talks — for now; Chamber to take up Rays ballpark cause; Pinellas County extends hotel tax — but not enough for new Rays ballpark; Selig still “concerned” about Rays ballpark situation; 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

—-

Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.

Are you a subscriber to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter? You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.

Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!

Follow Ballpark Digest on Google + and add us to your circles!

, , , , , , ,