Taking a shot aimed more toward apathetic fans than the forces preventing a new ballpark, MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said the Tampa Bay Rays attendance — or lack thereof — is “inexcusable.” Speaking at his annual press conference during All-Star festivities, the commissioner noted the Rays were 29th in MLB attendance (20,582 fans a game) […]
Tag Archives | tampa bay rays
The Week That Was: July 1
Fauxback and sponsored uniforms, new ballparks in El Paso and Hillsboro, and Mother Nature impacting ballparks across the country. The most popular stories on Ballpark Digest, measured by page views. Rays to go retro — before team existed The first pro baseball team to sport uniform sponsor logos? Rockford Municipal Stadium / San Jose Giants […]
Stray bullet grazes Rays fan at Tropicana Field
Well, this is a new one: a fan attending a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field was grazed by a falling bullet that most likely came through the roof of the covered ballpark. The fan, Charles Sweatt, was watching the Rays game when he felt a sting in his right thigh. He didn’t think much […]
Yankees on the market? Daily News says yes, Steinbrenner says no
Hal Steinbrenner is denying a New York Daily News report that the New York Yankees, in the wake of the $2B sale of the Los Angeles Dodgers, may be headed for a sale. It’s really a simple matter: The Daily News is reporting that the Steinbrenner family has been exploring the possible value of the team, […]
MLB teams plan Earth Day activities
No matter the team colors, many Major League Baseball teams and ballparks are going green this weekend to mark Earth Day. Many teams have already instituted green programs in their ballparks — Target Field is a LEED-certified building, the Giants and Royals installed solar panels at their homes, the Nationals have an elaborate cistern system […]
Luke Scott: Fenway Park is a “dump”
Here’s your flamebait for the day: Tampa Bay Rays DH Luke Scott says Fenway Park is a dump, as the Boston Red Sox prepare to open their 100th year at the historic ballpark. In an interview with MLB.com, Scott wasn’t shy about expressing his opinion about the beloved ballpark, where the Rays will help launch the home season for the […]
Immigration funds eyed for new Rays ballpark
Following Oakland’s lead, Tampa officials are looking at putting together a ballpark deal based on foreign investments based on the federal EB-5 visa program — a long shot at best. EB-5 is essentially a program that allowed a foreign citizen to “buy” U.S. citizenship by investing a million dollars into a U.S. corporation. It’s been […]
Hillsborough County ready to make run at new Rays ballpark
Tired 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 […]
Coming soon to a Florida ballpark near you: the homeless
Buried deep inside the Florida statutes, there’s a provision telling cities they must use state-funded sports facilities as homeless shelters on non-game nights. Since they don’t, two lawmakers want that state money back. Truth is, we searched the Florida statutes and couldn’t find reference to the obscure 1998 law, so we can’t comment directly on […]
Rays: Prove to us Tampa Bay can support baseball
We’re seeing a new strategy on how the Tampa Bay Rays are addressing their ballpark situation: ask for help on the marketing front and raise the distinct possibility the area can’t support professional baseball. Rays owner Stuart Sternberg had a much-anticipated meeting with St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster yesterday to discuss the state of things […]
Bud Selig: Commissioner for life?
Bud Selig is set to sign another two-year extension to serve as MLB commissioner, despite promises he would retire this year. Why is he sticking around? To settle some loose ends, we’re told. Not many in baseball were truly surprised when MLB owners unanimously voted to offer a two-year extension to Selig; there had been […]
Could this be the year for a new Rays ballpark?
With ownership, MLB management and local business leaders increasingly frustrated over Tropicana Field, 2012 could be the year when we see agreement on a new Tampa Bay Rays home. The new year appears to be starting on a good note for the Rays: Owner Stuart Sternberg is set to meet on Jan. 17 with St. […]
Luhnow new GM in Houston
Spurned by first choice Andrew Friedman, the Houston Astros pivoted quickly and named Jeff Luhnow, VP of scouting and player development for the St. Louis Cardinals, as the team’s new general manager. Friedman, the successful GM of the Tampa Bay Rays and a Houston native, passed on the chance to take the reins under the […]