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The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

Won't See Them There

Regarding "Rays Make Bad Call In Pitching Downtown Site For New Ballpark" (Our Opinion, Nov. 13):

My wife and I agree with you: open stadium, no A/C, no on-site parking, no Mr. and Mrs. Gingrich in attendance. It is that simple.

RICHARD GINGRICH

Sun City Center

Retractable Roof A Must

Regarding "Rays Want To Move To Waterfront Park" (front page, Nov. 10):

I like the idea of a new stadium, but think it ludicrous to spend $450 million for an outdoor stadium in downtown St Pete. I can't imagine that this move would attract more fans. Who wants to park at some remote location, hike to the field and then sit in 95-degree heat to watch a last-place team?

The novelty of a new stadium may attract more fans for a little while, but in the end it's going to take a better ball club to keep fans in the seats. One option would be to stay in the dome and spend a fraction of the money on improving the team.

If the ownership group is dead-set at building a new stadium, then they should focus on a facility with a retractable roof located in an area that would attract new fans; perhaps at the intersection of Interstates 4 and 75. There's lots of room there to build a new stadium with ample parking.

KRIS NEWPORT

Tampa

Ballpark Isn't Problem

Let's identify the problem with the Rays before we start making the same mistake made with the Trop: We have a team that hasn't performed, the original ownership was terrible, and it's a terrible stadium in a bad location.

While the new ownership has made significant improvements to "dress up a pig," it is still a pig in a bad location. They have the nucleus of great young ballplayers, especially in the outfield and with Scott Kazmir to anchor the pitching staff. However, building another stadium, especially an outdoor stadium, in St. Petersburg is insane. The ideal location is near the intersection of I-75 and I-4. It would enable the Rays to attract people form as far north as Gainesville and as far east as Orlando - a huge market that cannot be attracted to St. Pete.

As much as I enjoy baseball outdoors, an outdoor stadium in the Tampa Bay area is ludicrous because of the heat and rain in the summer. Why would you drive any distance with the unpredictability of rainouts or rain delays, and why would you want to sit in 90-degree heat along with high humidity?

MIKE CONVEY

Tampa

First, Fix The Team

I have been a sports fan all my life. I believe in supporting our local teams. That being said, I find the Rays ownership way out in left field when it comes to their well-timed pitch for a new facility.

The Rays are the laughingstock of baseball. Their payroll is ridiculously low and obviously not on par with what competitive ball clubs spend. I'll make Mr. Silverman a deal: Increase your payroll to Major League standards and maintain it there for a few years and then pitch us on your new waterfront park idea.

Rays ownership must have recently watched the movie "Field of Dreams." However, they walked away with the wrong message. "If you build it, they will come" in this case refers to building a competitive team, not a ball park.

TINO DOMINGUEZ

Tampa

Site It In Tampa

The Rays must be crazy if they build it where they say they want to. It's insane for several reasons.

First, an open air stadium in Florida doesn't work. It's too hot in the summer and the frequency of afternoon storms will make it miserable for spectators.

Second, the article said there won't be any on-site parking. Where will everyone park? Convenient parking is a must for any sports venue.

Last, keeping the Rays in St. Pete is not in their best interest. Move them to where the people are - Tampa. Put them next to Raymond James Stadium and make it a retractable roof. I know it's pricey, but a necessity in Florida.

TIM OLCOTT

Tampa

Major League Ownership

Sports fans here have seen the results of good ownership. The Buccaneers and Lightning play in state-of-the-art facilities and have been successful on the playing field as well as creating solid fan support.

We have seen the Ray's ownership put a plan in motion and adhere to that blueprint. Give them credit for making Tropicana Field very fan-friendly, clean, and as nice a venue as possible.

Watching a baseball game at Al Lang is one of the nicest experiences a fan can enjoy. The beauty of the bayfront is picturesque. Like San Francisco, the waterfront view will make this park unique in all of baseball. The new park will become a centerpiece of St. Petersburg and attract fans from all over. It will, however, be vital for the area to supply good public transportation with express service to the park and possibly "park and ride" lots. No parking is actually part of the ambience of ballparks in other major cities. Walk to nearby restaurants and shops and enjoy what the area has to offer.

This ownership is major league all the way, and better days are certainly ahead for the Rays.

FRANK FERRERI

New Port Richey

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