Stadium Hubbub

John F · 05-09-2007, 01:36 PM

Seeing Juan Salas' 50 game suspension wasn't good enough to warrant any discussion...

There was a piece in the New York Times yesterday about the upcoming Rays series in Orlando. Within the story, Stu Sternberg -- the Rays managing partner -- is quoted as saying Baseball does not feel right indoors,” and that Tropicana Field “We recognize it has a shelf life of five years.”

This has stirred up a hornets nest of discussion as well as Sternberg having to further explain his comments. He's not lobbying for a new stadium, he's not asking for a new stadium, he's not demanding a new stadium... He and his investment partners have put 20 million dollars into Tropicana Field the last two seasons and those monies weren't just a five year investment when a much larger piece of change would be required if the team were planning to lobby for a new park.

To describe the situation as Rays fans know it -- Tropicana Field won't be replaced any time soon, especially with how crappy the ballclub has been since it's inception. It doesn't warrant that kind of investment -- no matter how much harping out-of-towners say about the park (or even locals who don't attend games, citing the stadium as an excuse). The team is also locked in to a 30 year lease with hefty fines for breaking it... That alone locks the team in to St. Petersburg.

That being said, a dialog about a new stadium isn't a horrid thing -- it's the absolution that a new stadium is needed and now because of blah, blah, blah.

bedir than average · 05-09-2007, 03:59 PM

John, do you know if the Rays have ever looked into turning the Trop into a Chase/BankOne style convertible? My recollection from passing by Tropicana is that the roof does have a seam of sorts. Is there any way structually that the roof could be removed as well as portions of the exterior?

John F · 05-09-2007, 05:05 PM

As far as I know that's possible but I highly doubt the team would want it. The design of Tropicana Field is from the 1970's. Construction began in the 1980's and by the grand opening -- the design was obsolete. I think there would be too many complications -- structurally and scheduling wise -- to try to convert the stadium in any way, shape or form to open air/retractable roof. Plus the costs of such a conversion my be on par with the price of a new stadium...

Hawkeye4 · 05-10-2007, 02:12 AM

I found it funny that he said baseball shouldn't be played indoors.

Would love to see what he thought after watching a few in south Florida in August. And I'm not talking about being in a luxury suite in the A/C.

You might be able to watch some games in April, but the rest of the year the games will either be too hot or rained out with lightning all around.

John F · 05-10-2007, 12:13 PM

Hawk, I completely agree with that... I've had a friend work at Bright House Networks Field (in the box office) the last 2 years and changed his opinion on baseball indoors after experiencing things. Unless it rains before game time -- things are horrid to sit through (weather wise). Day games are impossible and oppressive.

Some of the discussion on a development message board (I linked to that site and the thread in question) want a retractable roof ballpark but some of the suggested sites are non starters for a Major League baseball stadium. Al Lang Field's footprint is too small for a big league ballpark (let alone a retractable roof park) and the Gateway district (the other popular suggestion) is a horrid location for a baseball stadium simply because there is nothing there. Office Parks do not cater to pre and post game entertainment.

05-09-2007, 01:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Stadium Hubbub Seeing Juan Salas' 50 game suspension wasn't good enough to warrant any discussion... There was a piece in the New York Times yesterday about the upcoming Rays series in Orlando. Within the story, Stu Sternberg -- the Rays managing partner -- is quoted as saying Baseball does not feel right indoors,” and that Tropicana Field “We recognize it has a shelf life of five years.” This has stirred up a hornets nest of discussion as well as Sternberg having to further explain his comments. He's not lobbying for a new stadium, he's not asking for a new stadium, he's not demanding a new stadium... He and his investment partners have put 20 million dollars into Tropicana Field the last two seasons and those monies weren't just a five year investment when a much larger piece of change would be required if the team were planning to lobby for a new park. To describe the situation as Rays fans know it -- Tropicana Field won't be replaced any time soon, especially with how crappy the ballclub has been since it's inception. It doesn't warrant that kind of investment -- no matter how much harping out-of-towners say about the park (or even locals who don't attend games, citing the stadium as an excuse). The team is also locked in to a 30 year lease with hefty fines for breaking it... That alone locks the team in to St. Petersburg. That being said, a dialog about a new stadium isn't a horrid thing -- it's the absolution that a new stadium is needed and now because of blah, blah, blah.

05-09-2007, 03:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
bedir than average Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Starbucks Posts: 8,256	John, do you know if the Rays have ever looked into turning the Trop into a Chase/BankOne style convertible? My recollection from passing by Tropicana is that the roof does have a seam of sorts. Is there any way structually that the roof could be removed as well as portions of the exterior? __________________ US Men's National Team World Cup Qualifying \| Democracy in Sports Meets My First Campaign "You're only so sure you're right because they're so sure you're wrong." Orson Scott Card in Xenocide

05-10-2007, 02:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Hawkeye4 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hockey Bay, USA Posts: 168	I found it funny that he said baseball shouldn't be played indoors. Would love to see what he thought after watching a few in south Florida in August. And I'm not talking about being in a luxury suite in the A/C. You might be able to watch some games in April, but the rest of the year the games will either be too hot or rained out with lightning all around. __________________ If you can't beat 'em, beat 'em up! GO BOLTS!

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05-09-2007, 05:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	As far as I know that's possible but I highly doubt the team would want it. The design of Tropicana Field is from the 1970's. Construction began in the 1980's and by the grand opening -- the design was obsolete. I think there would be too many complications -- structurally and scheduling wise -- to try to convert the stadium in any way, shape or form to open air/retractable roof. Plus the costs of such a conversion my be on par with the price of a new stadium...

05-10-2007, 12:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
John F Administrator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa Bay area, Florida Posts: 2,497	Hawk, I completely agree with that... I've had a friend work at Bright House Networks Field (in the box office) the last 2 years and changed his opinion on baseball indoors after experiencing things. Unless it rains before game time -- things are horrid to sit through (weather wise). Day games are impossible and oppressive. Some of the discussion on a development message board (I linked to that site and the thread in question) want a retractable roof ballpark but some of the suggested sites are non starters for a Major League baseball stadium. Al Lang Field's footprint is too small for a big league ballpark (let alone a retractable roof park) and the Gateway district (the other popular suggestion) is a horrid location for a baseball stadium simply because there is nothing there. Office Parks do not cater to pre and post game entertainment.