Tampa Bay Rays Will Have A New Home Next Season
Hurricane Milton cut a devastating swath of destruction across the state of Florida. In it’s wake it left several people without homes and a Florida baseball team was not spared. In fact, Hurricane Milton severely damaged Tropicana Field. That’s why the Tampa Bay Rays will have a new but temporary home next season. They’ll be playing at Tampa’s George M. Steinbrenner Field, the spring training home of the New York Yankees.
Regarding the arrangement a statement was released by the team:
“We deeply appreciate that the Yankees have graciously allowed us to play at Steinbrenner Field for the 2025 season,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg said in a statement. “The hurricane damage to Tropicana Field has forced us to take some extraordinary steps, just as Hurricanes Helene and Milton have forced thousands of families and businesses in our community to adapt to new circumstances as we all recover and rebuild.’’
For now the Rays will conduct their Spring Training workouts and home games at their Charlotte Sports Park facility in Port Charlotte, FL. While the Yankees will continue to play their Spring Training games at Steinbrenner Field in 2025 before the Rays move in for the regular season. Minor league baseball team the Tampa Tarpons will play elsewhere within the Yankees’ Minor League complex.
In the meantime, Tropicana Field can be repaired in time for the Rays’ 2026 season for about $55.7 million. According to the damage assessment report sent Tuesday to St. Petersburg City Council members. The most costly item to replace will be the roof, which accounts for about $23.6 million of the bill. Based on the original 1995 agreement with the team it’s an obligation of the city to provide a facility. Therefore, the decision to move ahead with the repairs rests with the City Council.
Tampa Bay Rays Will Have A New Home Next Season
Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement:
“We are happy to extend our hand to the Rays and their fans by providing a Major League-quality facility for them to utilize this season. “Both the Yankees organization and my family have deep roots in the Tampa Bay region, and we understand how meaningful it is for Rays players, employees and fans to have their 2025 home games take place within 30 minutes of Tropicana Field. In times like these, rivalry and competition take a back seat to doing what’s right for our community — which is continuing to help families and businesses rebound from the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.”
A drawback to playing at Steinbrenner Field will be the summer heat and rain. According to league data, the stadium’s regular tenant, the Tampa Tarpons, over the last 10 seasons has averaged 6.4 postponements annually, nearly all weather-related. The Tarpons are the Yankees’ affiliate in the Low A Florida State League.
What Rays Players Can Expect
Steinbrenner Field has much of the required major-league-standard equipment, facilities and player amenities in place. They include the home clubhouse, which is being expanded this offseason, and improved lighting. As a result, the ballpark will require the fewest upgrades to meet MLB regular season and players association standards.
“You’re going to see Major League Baseball in a small environment,” Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg told the Associated Press. So for the players it should be the typical major league experience but scaled down in size. But hopefully, if all goes to plan, the Rays will only have to endure one season of being without a home.
Ironically, this upcoming season will be the first time the Rays actually play in Tampa, as Tropicana Field is located in St. Petersburg. They have been warmly welcomed to the neighborhood by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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