Clear Sailing for Fly Balls in Proposed New Rays Ballpark

The roof at the Tampa Bay Rays’ proposed ballpark in Ybor City is about the same height at its peak — 230 feet, give or take — as at Tropicana Field, but the similarities end there.  Read more here.

Possible Passenger Rail Service Nearby for Proposed Ybor City Ballpark

Brightline, a firm bidding to build a high-speed rail link between Tampa and Orlando, is already scouting sites for a terminus, which could put rail service within walking distance of a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark proposed for Ybor City and spur heated development in the area.  Read more here.

Rays Unveil Ybor City Ballpark Design

The Tampa Bay Rays today unveiled plans for an Ybor City stadium that has see-through walls, a fixed translucent roof enclosed, and integrated into the neighborhood with an evolving design.  Read more here.  Learn more details here.

Rays to Hold Ballpark Unveiling Event Next Week, Site Now Eligible for Federal Tax Breaks

The Rays are planning a media event for Tuesday in Ybor City (FL) in which they are expected to present design renderings of the proposed new stadium and some information regarding costs.  Read more here.  The work likely got easier with the targeted site’s recent designation as a federal economic opportunity zone under the tax-cut legislation passed into law last December.  Read more here.

Gubernatorial Candidates Debate State Money for Proposed New Rays Ballpark

If three of the four Democrats running for governor win in November, the Tampa Bay Rays shouldn’t bother asking the state for money to help build a new ballpark in Ybor City.  Read more here.

Newly Formed ‘Rays 100’ Will Push for Team’s Proposed Move to Ybor City

Tampa Bay Rays 2020 held a kickoff reception on Wednesday where the nonprofit organization announced the formation of a sub-group, called Rays 100, made up of Tampa Bay business and community leaders who are dedicated to ushering in the next generation of Rays baseball in Ybor City.  Read more here.

Record-Setting Tourism Year Bolsters Case to Raise Hotel Tax for New Rays Ballpark

For the elected officials who want to see the Tampa Bay Rays move to Ybor City, it’s especially good news that Hillsborough County had a record-setting year collecting the Tourist Development Tax, which now sits at 5 cents per dollar spent by visitors to stay at hotels, motels and other short-term rentals.  There is interest in raising the tax by 1 cent to help pay for a new ballpark.  Read more here.

Rays Set to Announce Target Location for Ballpark

After years of speculation and courtship, the Tampa Bay Rays are finally expected to announce Friday that they want to relocate the team to a site Ybor City near the Channel District, according to Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan.  Read more here.

County Official: Rays’ $150 Million Contribution Won’t Be Enough for New Ballpark

Hillsborough County Administrator Mike Merrill said Thursday that it will take more than $150 million from the Tampa Bay Rays to build a ballpark in Ybor City.  Read more here.

Rays Picked Ybor City Site, Not County

The Ybor City site announced last week as the preferred spot for a Tampa ballpark was chosen by the Tampa Bay Rays not Hillsborough County, according to county administrator Mike Merrill.  Read more here.

A ‘Very Urban Ballpark’ for Rays Means No Big Surface Parking Lots

If a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark ever gets built at the most recent presented location on southern edge of Ybor City, there will likely be no gigantic surface parking lots outside this baseball stadium.  Instead, sports fans would have to park in garages, use transit and — brace yourselves — even walk to games.  Read more here.