How long does it really take to get to a Rays game?
PINELLAS PARK -- Ask most any Tampa Bay Rays fan why they don't go to more games in person at Tropicana Field, and you'll likely some form of the following:
"It takes too long to get to the stadium."
Tropicana Field is nestled in downtown St. Petersburg, a good 30-minute drive from downtown Tampa on a good day. Many local officials are in favor of moving the team to a stadium located near the Florida State Fairgrounds, which would give fans in Hillsborough County and all points east (including Lakeland and Orlando) better access to the Rays.
Hillsborough's budget problems could sink cross-bay move by Rays
TAMPA — Proposals to build a new pro baseball stadium in Hillsborough County may be speculative at this point.
But Hillsborough officials say what's certain is that there is little public money available to help turn that prospect into concrete, should the Tampa Bay Rays direct their gaze this way. There also doesn't appear to be any political will to even broach the topic.
Rays fans react to possible move
ST. PETERSBURG — Fans of the Tampa Bay Rays offered mixed reactions Saturday on the idea of moving the team out of town.
A business group has suggested several possible stadium locations, including three in Hillsborough County. While the Rays and local politicians have downplayed the significance of the talks, most fans who weighed in at Rays FanFest say that the talks could foreshadow action.
As more details emerge about Hillsborough efforts to land Rays, St. Petersburg officials get tough
ST. PETERSBURG — Hillsborough County's flirtation with the Tampa Bay Rays could spill into the courtroom if it goes much further, St. Petersburg officials warned Thursday.
"We will keep track of the discussions and the people involved and we will take appropriate action at the appropriate time," said City Attorney John Wolfe.
St. Petersburg needs to be involved in discussions on Rays' future
As the public discussion over a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays advances, it should be clear to St. Petersburg officials by now that they need to become engaged. Waving around a long-term lease for an outdated Tropicana Field and hinting at litigation against anyone who talks about another stadium site is not productive. Instead of warning about meddling by others, Mayor Bill Foster and the City Council should be participating in the brainstorming to keep the Rays in Tampa Bay.
Hillsborough's designs on Rays couched in kind words
What you really have to be touched by is the tremendous outpouring of concern, generosity and brotherhood. It's a verklempt moment is what it is.
Sensing St. Petersburg's hour of need, no doubt Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan lit a votive candle, walked the moors in deep contemplation and finally decided to extend a hand of friendship and brotherhood in a completely unselfish gesture to steal away the Tampa Bay Rays to Tampa.
Give Tampa Bay Rays a shot, and Bud Selig gets a stadium
ST. PETERSBURG — Welcome to Tropicana Field, Mr. Commissioner.
Hope you didn't have any trouble finding the place. I know it's kind of out in the boondocks. And I'm sure that explains why you have been forced — regrettably, no doubt — to miss 963 of the 964 regular-season games played here the past dozen seasons.
Hillsborough commission chair asks Rays coalition to talk baseball
TAMPA — Until now, Hillsborough County's elected leaders have steered clear of the Tampa Bay Rays stadium debate. That's St. Petersburg's business, they say, and Hillsborough's strained public resources can't afford new sports ventures.
But on Monday, Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan wrote a letter to a community coalition pondering the Rays' future. Its message, in short: Let's talk baseball.
Bush-league reaction
A Times Editorial
A community group performed a valuable public service by spending 18 months studying possibilities for a new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays. Now St. Petersburg city officials are slamming the door in their faces because they don't like the results. It is a petty, parochial response that fails to recognize the Rays are a regional franchise whose future depends on regional support.
What does Rays owner Stuart Sternberg want for a stadium?
By Howard Troxler, Times Columnist
In Print: Sunday, January 31, 2010
Hello? Mr. Sternberg?
Howard here. First, just wanted to let you know we have re-upped for our share of season tickets this year. We are pretty excited about it, although as loyal fans we are worried about the year after. Payroll issues, as you know.
But this is not why I am writing. I'm writing to say that from here on, it's probably going to have to be you, as owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, who becomes the driving public force on the eventual-new-stadium thing.