I love the Grapefruit League too, although it may actually hurt the attendance for the Rays. One, it allows people who move to FL (the majority of the population) to see their “home” teams and thus not become attached to the Rays. Two, those game tickets are cheaper than regular season games.

I mean sure, I love how close the Trop is and not having to cross a bridge is nice, but ultimately I would cross it to see then in Tampa too, just as I do with the Lightning and Bucs. People in Tampa, however, won’t do the same to see the Rays in St Pete. Call it laziness or poor fans or whatever, that’s all irrelevant because quite simply, it isn’t changing. Whether we like it or not, we need to realize that a stadium in Tampa is the only viable solution if we want the team to stay in the state at all. And driving to Tampa over a bridge is a sacrifice I’d happily make. If only Mayor Foster thought the same.

2. MLB in Florida isn’t working. At one time or another, both the Marlins and Rays have fielded very competitive squads, yet the turnstiles don’t turn.

This probably has as much to do with the Rays’ lease on the Trop as anything. St. Pete’s mayor has made it no secret that the city will sue anyone who tries to pry the team away. LeClair even made sure to ask the city for assurances that he wouldn’t be sued for pitching his plan.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/st-petersburg-to-developer-pitching-new-tampa-bay-rays-stadium-we-wont-sue/1245755

The bullet train that Jeb first killed, then Rick Scott again would have been great for businesses like baseball, but that isn’t going to happen. Until it does, and until median incomes start to rise again, sports franchises in Florida will suffer. People have allegiances to FSU, UF, and UM because they or their kids went there. They will still sellout the measely 6 home games per year. The Rays and Marlins have no lifelong fans. With all the things to do in Florida, why (how?) would a middle income family of 4 go to Rays game even if they lived 30 minutes away. $100 for tix, $20 for parking, $50 for food and drink plus transportation and putting the kids to bed at midnight. The beach is free. My kids get way more excited for Chuck-e-Cheese, and that costs me $40. The game is free on TV (provided you have cable or satellite). Most people just don’t enough disposable income to justify going to multiple games, let alone funding a new stadium when they still won’t go to the game.

I hate to say it, because I am a big fan, but if the Rays want to leave, let them. The grass is always greener somewhere else, so if I’m voting for another $500 million stadium proposal, I vote to let someone else green that pasture, preferably MLB. The idea that franchises expect someone else to pay for a building to house their employees has always eluded me anyways. If Mcdnalds ever went to City Council and said they needed a new Fryer, they’d be laughed out of the building. If Disney ever asked the public to buy them a new roller coaster, someone would burn the place down. But when the Bucs, Marlins, and Rays want a new building, for some reason they are 2 out of 3.

I’m sure those minimum wage ushers, parking attendants, security guards, field attendants, and concessions workers can find another minimum wage job. I’d assume the Rays would relocate the employees who aren’t paid hourly, so how does Tampa/St Pete benefit with a second $500 million mortgage?

And no, never seen Doc Tony….I do miss those twin dwarf lawyers though.

I don’t pretend to know the St. Pete/ Tmpa area too well, but I had a blast there the 2 games I saw against the Sawx this past week. Parked at Fergs and got some good wings.

The Rays have the 5th best TV ratings in all of baseball. With a new TV deal coming in 2016, this team isn’t going anywhere, so keep them in the Trop.

Sadly, I think they will ultimately leave Florida. I guess the Charlotte Rays have a nice ring to them. This could be the new team logo: http://www.imdb.com/media/rm1493730304/nm0705989