The Trop Has New Amenities for Fans

Fans are worried that the Tampa Bay Rays might split the season with Montreal, but it looks like Tropicana Field is doubling down with it comes to new attractions for baseball fans.  Read more and view photos here.  Speaking of Montreal, read more here.

No More Upper Deck Seating for Rays Games

The Tampa Bay Rays, who ranked next to last in the majors in attendance last season, are eliminating more than 10,000 seats in the upper deck in an effort to create a more “intimate” experience for fans at Tropicana Field.  The Rays also indicated that will would add a premium seating section in the lower level.  Read more here.

Hillsborough County Exploring Ways to Fund New Rays Ballpark

The brainstorming is well underway for Hillsborough County (FL) officials who are exploring creative ways to fund a new ballpark in Tampa to lure the Tampa Bay Rays from St. Petersburg across the bay.  Read more here.

Rays to Seek New Home by 2022, With or Without St. Pete’s Permission

In an interview with Tampa Bay Times staff writer Stephen Nohlgren, Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg vows to seek a replacement for Tropicana Field no later than 2022, with or without approval from St. Petersburg (FL).  Read more here.

Council Nixes Deal Struck by Mayor, Rays

The future of the Tampa Bay Rays in the area seems more uncertain than ever after the St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday rejected a deal to let the team explore new stadium sites in the region.  Read more here.

Ballpark Quirks: Tropicana Field’s Catwalks

In a series called “Ballpark Quirks,” Sports Illustrated takes a look at the distinctive features and oddities that make up each of MLB’s 30 parks. Up now: Tropicana Field’s catwalks.  Read more and view photo here.

Rays Unveil Renderings for Tropicana Field Upgrades

PRESS RELEASE – The Tampa Bay Rays are proud to announce a major upgrade to Tropicana Field that will significantly enhance the fan experience for the 2014 season.

Rays Baseball Stadium Breakthrough?

The Tampa Bay Rays and the city of St. Petersburg are reportedly working on an agreement that would define ground rules for exploring new stadium options and reinforce the team’s current obligation to play at Tropicana Field through 2027.  Under the developing deal, the Rays would have to thoroughly examine a proposed stadium in St. Petersburg’s Carillon Business Park before looking in Tampa.  Read more here.

Poll: Keep Rays at Tropicana Field

This is a little silly, but a recent Tampa Bay Times, Bay News 9, and AM 820 News Tampa Bay telephone survey of 521 Pinellas County and Hillsborough County (FL) residents showed that the most popular stadium option for the Tampa Bay Rays is to keep the team playing at Tropicana Field.  Of course, we all know this is completely unrelated to any love for The Trop.  Read more here.

St. Pete, Hillsborough County Disagree About Legal Ramifications of Stadium Talks

Based on the terms of the Tropicana Field lease with the Tampa Bay Rays, St. Petersburg City Attorney John Wolfe says that Hillsborough County (and any other local government) faces a lawsuit if they begin discussions with the team about a new stadium.  Hillsborough disagrees with the legal arguments being made by St. Pete.  Read more here.  Thanks to John Cerone for the link.

Back to the Ballpark Table for Rays, St. Pete

We don’t expect any miracles here, but Tampa Bay Rays owner Stuart Sternberg and St. Petersburg (FL) Mayor Bill Foster have a meeting scheduled next Tuesday that could rekindle new ballpark talks.  Read more here and here.

‘Yankees Suck’ T-Shirt Gets Yanked in the 4th

Long-time Tampa Bay Rays season ticket holder Melton Little was asked by Tropicana Field security personnel in the 4th inning to remove or cover up the “Yankees Suck” t-shirt he was wearing or leave the park.  Apparently, “suck” has been determined by MLB to be profane.  Really?  Now, “suck” is an unpleasant word that many parents don’t want their kids using, but…?  Read more here.  View photo here.