TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Baseball Group Needs Regional Focus

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 23, 2008

For the most part, ground rules set by the chairman of a coalition charged with expanding support for the Tampa Bay Rays and searching for a location for a new stadium are on the mark.

First and foremost, Progress Energy CEO Jeff Lyash says the eight other prospective members, expected to be selected by Labor Day, should be like him: A baseball fan, Rays supporter and backer of a new place to play.

Indeed, those are the three critical factors that will help the team remain in St. Petersburg and expand its fan base.

Without question, the coalition, called "A Baseball Community," must focus on improving the Rays standing in the region and make the franchise more viable by replacing Tropicana Field with a modern ballpark or stadium. Every ounce of energy should be spent trying to keep the team in St. Petersburg.

Teamwork will be essential. There is no sense including detractors who will rail against any public support for the Rays. The mission is to come up with a plan to keep Major League Baseball in the Tampa Bay area, not rehash tired old debates about whether the public should support professional sports.

There will be plenty of time for opponents to make their case before tax dollars are committed to anything, since public hearings will be part of the process.

Membership should be far-reaching, and at least one representative from Hillsborough is imperative.

Drawing more Hillsborough fans, especially season ticket holders, is critical to the team's future.

Although the total number of season-ticket holders is considered proprietary, Rays executives have disclosed that only about one-third of those fans are from Hillsborough.

Individual game ticket sales are roughly split between fans living in Hillsborough and Pinellas, so clearly there are plenty of Rays fans on this side of the bay.

The group might also consider representatives from Orlando, where the Rays have played some regular season games, and Charlotte County, where the team will move its spring training facilities next season.

Even though the Rays are finally winning, some skeptics still question whether St. Petersburg is a baseball community. It's up to the coalition to develop a plan that make baseball fans throughout Central Florida feel connected to St. Petersburg and the Rays.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT