In 2021, as part of an overall reorganization of minor league baseball, the Rays moved theirClass A-advanced affiliate to South Carolina. Because Charlotte is another example of a city that would be better off receiving an expansion franchise than an exported Rays franchise that would probably have to change its name to something more relevant. The Toronto Blue Jays will now play the Rays at Tropicana Field on that date. But as for baseball, Indianapolis has the AAA affiliate for the usually awful Pittsburgh Pirates. Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Central Texas is one of the most populous areas in the United States, and there have been talks of them potentially hosting another sports team for some time. It can be problematic, but not unheard of, for Major League baseball teams to host spring training at more than one site. The Rays current contract with Charlotte County runs through the 2028 spring training camp.. Not much has changed in Tampa Bay this year either. The Tampa Bay Rays still went by the name Devil Rays in August 2006, when they signed a 20-year spring training lease with Charlotte County for Charlotte Sports Park, which first hosted the Rays in 2009, followinga $28 million renovation. Plus, the only teams the Rays would have to compete with for attendance would be the Nevada Wolfpack and the UNLV Rebels' college teamswell, and the Lingerie Football League (pictured above), but I do not think they will be able to cause the same attendance troubles the Rays have at the moment. How awesome would a brand new baseball stadium look near the Las Vegas strip? Meanwhile, the Rays couldnt fill their stadium during a playoff game. 'Believe in the power of cheese': How a group of rookies helped give the Brewers the best vibes in baseball, Fantasy baseball: Load up on San Diego bats this weekend. The Rays faced the Atlanta Braves and drew 1,127 fans, the maximum attendance because of COVID-19 restrictions. The Rays' easy solution to fixing their money and attendance problems is to simply move north to Tampa. It should be noted though that MLB had Charlotte as a finalist for the Expos franchise when relocation was being considered (and eventually acted on). The Rays Major League spring workouts, plus a Feb. 28 home game, will take place at the Disney complex in Lake Buena Vista. Charlotte County spokesman Brian Gleason said via email that Charlotte County has enjoyed partnering with the Tampa Bay Rays on their spring training camp and player development program since 2009. From 1998 to 2008, the Devil Rays played their spring training games at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, just a few blocks from Tropicana Field. The Rays have averaged roughly between 22,000-23,000 fans per game in attendance, but the Trop seats 34,078 people and could hold 42,735 fans if they were to remove the tarp from certain sections in the stadium. Other Franchises: Charlotte Bobcats, Carolina Panthers. The Braves used the Disney facility for 22 years, most recently in 2019, before moving their Spring Training operations to CoolToday Park in North Port. With the Reams lease at the Trop ending in 2027, Williams pitched to the team in 2020 an entire proposal fleshed out for a Rays move, including a $1.2 billion dollar stadium, corporate sponsorships and possible support from Disney, and the numbers, that show how Orange County collects triple the tourist taxes of Pinellas and Hillsborough, where St. Petersburg and Tampa sit, respectively. 1 one month into the season? Additionally, I wouldnt want to try to compete with Texas Football during the fall, which is another reason to keep out of Austin. Let's be real. Tampa, mainly, services minor league teams. The Rays seem to be connecting with their base even as they scour both sides of the bay for a new home, as the team prior to last night had not lost at home and had "yet to draw a crowd of less than 10,000, according to Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY. A. . Rays' Franco Wanders into Left Field to Make Stunning Barehanded Catch Last night's game drew 9,916 fans, but the average attendance through Monday marked a 57% jump "from last years low point over a similar stretch and a milestone worth noting. The Rays in 2019 "drew 22 crowds of less than 10,000, with a low of 5,786. After four consecutive playoff runs -- the most prosperous stretch in franchise history -- the locals may be responding (USA TODAY, 4/25). The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts. Teams that cant draw or have stadium problems should get a 5 year out if these issues are not fixed. So while baseball might take some getting used to, Indianapolis is fond of many sports and has the population to support it. The Rays and Charlotte County intend to develop a restoration plan for Charlotte Sports Park in the coming weeks.. "At the moment there's not something concrete with any of these clubs, but I'm told he's open to make a top club move in the summer so it's one to watch for sure. They have a stadium and entertainment area proposal, a section on the citys baseball history and their Negro League ties, and an entire group of investors. There has been discussion from some investors. Legacy: Charlotte has never been much of a baseball town. By then, the sports park then known as Charlotte County Stadium had been without a spring training club since 2002, when the Texas Rangers left for Arizona, after spending 15 years there. Pacers fans are immensely loyal and, regardless of talent or win totals, it always seems the Pacers are blue collar and supported as such. Charlotte seems like it could be a great fit for a professional baseball team. A playoff game. Tampa Bay's success on the field has not translated to putting fans in the stands of Tropicana Field though, which is a big reason why their payroll continues to remain low and will not be doing them any favors as the trade deadline approaches in 2011. Pat Williams has made a direct appeal to Rays management about a move to the city of Orlando. NEXT IN LINE: In Orlando, Mike Bianchi writes Tampa Bay civic leaders are "on the clock and it is ticking ever so loudly on your status as a Major League Baseball area. As the situation in Oakland was resolved just a few days ago when the As announced they purchased land in Las Vegas to build a ballpark, Tampa Bay is on deck and better step up to plate or the red-hot Rays will someday soon be announcing a move to Nashville, Charlotte, Montreal or some other baseball-hungry city (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 4/26). There are corporate interests, fans to pounce on, and an area that wants baseball. Population: 454,731 (40th among U.S. cities). Charlotte, N.C. 2 of 5 Rays to move 2023 spring training after Charlotte Sports Park damage With the Reams lease at the Trop ending in 2027, Williams pitched to the team in 2020 an entire proposal fleshed out for a Rays move, including a $1.2 billion dollar stadium, corporate sponsorships and possible support from Disney, and the numbers, that show how Orange County collects triple the tourist taxes of Pinellas and Hillsborough, where St. Petersburg and Tampa sit, respectively. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazines awards, such as Forty Under 40, Game Changers and others. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. There isnt really an issue with this proposal. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. Walt Disney World Resort said its looking forward to providing. Privacy Policy. Hartford hasn't really experimented in any of the other major American sports and when they lost the Whalers, they lost all access to major sports. There was also a proposal to split their home games between St. Petersburg and Montreal that was rejected by Major League Baseball. Never miss out on the latest with the Bucs, Rays, Lightning, Florida college sports and more. The city's population ranking has shot up from 63rd to 28th since 1990, which is also another great reason to establish a professional sports team in Las Vegas. The Rays followed up their Cinderella season by winning 84 games in 2009 and finishing third in the AL East, which was nothing short of remarkable considering they lost 101 games in 2006. Lets be real. 5. Disney World visitors would pounce on the opportunity for other entertainment, similar to how the Golden Knights of the NHL built up their attendance by pouncing on bored Vegas visitors who had run out of shows to see and money to gamble away. Rays to move spring training from storm-damaged Port Charlotte facility