So where do the Rays play after Milton?

[Natsinpwc]

The indoor aspect seems so unappealing.   If I retired to Florida as a life long fan of another team, I could see myself going to some games for a local team if it meant sitting outside and enjoying the atmosphere.   Even if it wasn't going into the world's most unappealing sports venue, going inside for baseball to watch a team I have no rooting interest in is not something I could ever see myself doing.  If they can't make it work outside, it won't work IMO.

You have not been in Florida during the summer then. From May to September the hear and humidity are oppressive and there are heavy rain showers and thunderstorms like 5 days out of 7.  There would just be constant rain delays.  Just look at Florida league scores.  Basically they have the remainder of the game before that they finish,  Then they start the regular game and it gets washed out after a few innings.  Rinse and repeat. 

Doesn't Miami have a retractable roof?  They can't hardly use it. 

[nfotiu]

You have not been in Florida during the summer then. From May to September the hear and humidity are oppressive and there are heavy rain showers and thunderstorms like 5 days out of 7.  There would just be constant rain delays.  Just look at Florida league scores.  Basically they have the remainder of the game before that they finish,  Then they start the regular game and it gets washed out after a few innings.  Rinse and repeat. 

Doesn't Miami have a retractable roof?  They can't hardly use it. 

If they can't play outside, then maybe it's not a good place for a baseball team 

[Natsinpwc]

If they can't play outside, then maybe it's not a good place for a baseball team 

Like Seattle? Milwaukee roof is closed at least half the time.  Enjoyed a game there with the roof closed.

Should we not have a team in SF because it’s too cold and windy to enjoy the games as a fan most of the summer. Toronto also has a roof. Arizona also is closed most of the summer.  So will Vegas.

[varoadking]

That causeway may have the world's most unappealing bike path.  Perhaps there's a worse one in Mariupol.

Especially bad going to St. Pete since they banned the g-string ladies with their roadside hot dog carts...

[blue911]

Especially bad going to St. Pete since they banned the g-string ladies with their roadside hot dog carts...

Wait!What?

[varoadking]

Wait!What?

I know, right!

https://uncletnuc.com/2021/07/01/the-hot-dog-girls/

[JCA-CrystalCity]

I like retractable roofs for baseball anywhere where the summer weather is mostly influenced by Gulf moisture. I think DC and Baltimore are close calls on retractables. It's stunk here the past couple of years with rainouts, rain delays, and rain threats, but before that it wasn't so bad. I am surprised Truist doesn't have a retractable roof.

[Natsinpwc]

Rays have 43 home games by June 8. Trying to avoid that rain.

[varoadking]

Rays have 43 home games by June 8. Trying to avoid that rain.

They need to play all of their remaining their games at night...

[imref]

Sim the rainouts.

[welch]

Baseball went almost a hundred years without need to play indoors. (Note: the Astrodome). Maybe that's evidence that MLB should think twice before putting a team where the weather does not allow it.

And in the case of Florida, it does not seem like the state has enough baseball fans to support two, or even one team. That's two strikes against keeping the (Devil) Rays in or around Tampa.

Move them to Montreal.

[Smithian]

Baseball went almost a hundred years without need to play indoors. (Note: the Astrodome). Maybe that's evidence that MLB should think twice before putting a team where the weather does not allow it.

And in the case of Florida, it does not seem like the state has enough baseball fans to support two, or even one team. That's two strikes against keeping the (Devil) Rays in or around Tampa.

Move them to Montreal.

The Marlins built a great stadium ... and have done everything they can to make their fans miserable on the field.

The Rays have been brilliant on the field ... and have done everything they can to make their fans miserable off the field.

The NHL, NFL, NBA are doing just fine in Florida, other than the Jags who are dysfunctional. It's a well off state with huge population. Baseball should be thriving. The problem is the franchises, not the fans.

[HalfSmokes]

Spring treating does well in Florida. Baseball is incredibly popular at the youth through college level there. They just can’t figure out the major league product

[welch]

MLB has tried for 35 years to find an audience in Florida. It has failed. The Marlins who won the World Series twice, and fans don't go to games. The Rays have been good for a decade or more, and it's the same. Does not matter if there are NHL or NFL or NBA fans in Florida. Just not enough baseball fans.

Further, there is something wrong with a place where baseball can only be played indoors on turf.

[Ali the Baseball Cat]

I just came back from St Pete and the ratio of NYY/Cubs/Team X to Rays hats on the street was at least 10:1, maybe 20:1.

[GataNats]

The Marlins built a great stadium ... and have done everything they can to make their fans miserable on the field.

The Rays have been brilliant on the field ... and have done everything they can to make their fans miserable off the field.

The NHL, NFL, NBA are doing just fine in Florida, other than the Jags who are dysfunctional. It's a well off state with huge population. Baseball should be thriving. The problem is the franchises, not the fans.

It’s a bat ish crazy state

[Dave in Fairfax]

The Rays drew 25,025 at their home opener at the Trop last season.

They drew 10,046 at George M. Steinbrenner Field today, failing to fill the 11,026 capacity stadium.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

The Rays drew 25,025 at their home opener at the Trop last season.

They drew 10,046 at George M. Steinbrenner Field today, failing to fill the 11,026 capacity stadium.

unbelievable. I guess their season ticket base is lower than 10,000. maybe the size of the stadium leads people to not even trying to get tickets.

[Natsinpwc]

unbelievable. I guess their season ticket base is lower than 10,000. maybe the size of the stadium leads people to not even trying to get tickets.

Prices are high also. Trying to squeeze money from the few fans they have. From what I’ve read there were lots of sell the team chants.

[HalfSmokes]

unbelievable. I guess their season ticket base is lower than 10,000. maybe the size of the stadium leads people to not even trying to get tickets.

I wonder if moving locations gave season ticket holders with contracts grounds to rescind

[Dave in Fairfax]

I suppose, to be slightly fairer in the comparison, the opener last season was against division rival Toronto and in late March there are still a lot of Canadian snow birds in Florida, whereas I doubt there are many Rockies fans in central Florida for this series. By the time Texas showed up for a series at the beginning of April, Rays attendance had already fallen to their season average of around 14,000. So, 8,000-10,000 might indeed be their core fanbase.

[imref]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/04/st-petersburg-city-council-approves-tropicana-field-roof-repair.html