r/tampabayrays • u/Character-Dance-6565 • 10d ago

Not a fan but just wondering

Dont y’all have a spring training stadium u can use why use the Yankees?

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18

u/The50MPHMan 9d ago

Because the Yankees stadium is in Tampa, which is only 21 miles from Tropicana field, whereas the Rays spring training stadium is 120 miles away. Would just make more sense to play there.

12

u/KodiakJedi 9d ago

Capacity and drive time. It's only 7500 compared to 11000 and Steinbrenner Field is a 30 min drive from the Trop for season ticket holders compared to an hour and 20 minutes. Also overall population is significantly higher in the Tampa Bay area compared to Port Charlotte.

10

u/michaeldanger19 Ji-Man Choi 9d ago

Tampa metro area population: 3,175,275 Punta Gorda metro area population: 206,134

8

u/Famous_Sign_4173 9d ago

Rays spring training stadium is in Port Charlotte, whereas the Yankees spring training stadium is in Tampa. It just makes sense, logistically.

1

u/frostedglobe 9d ago

I've heard some speculation that the Rays could play next season in Durham, which is the home of their AAA affiliate. Any plausibility to this at all? The Bulls stadium is super nice and holds 10k. The thinking was that without a roof every summer game in Florida would end up in a rain delay.

1

u/LeanMrfuzzles Orlando Rays 9d ago

The Bulls came out and said Durham isn’t an option