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Rays belong in Tampa, group says

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By JOSH POLTILOVE

jpoltilove@tampatrib.com

Published: July 11, 2009

TAMPA - There aren't many of them, but the members of BuildItDowntown Tampa.org think they can help shape the future of the Tampa Bay Rays.

That future, they say, involves a new stadium in downtown Tampa.

"The idea came to be sort of by default," spokesman Ryan Neubauer said. "None of us could understand why there wasn't more discussion about this issue."

The fans who formed the group - so far, they number 10 - have worked on their Web site in recent weeks and announced themselves to the public Friday.

The inaugural members of BuildIt DowntownTampa.org live throughout Hillsborough County, Neubauer said.

Neubauer, a 30-year-old software developer, said the group doesn't think a stadium in St. Petersburg is viable over the long term and wants to make sure the team doesn't move from the Tampa Bay area. He said he attends about one game a month but would be a season-ticket holder if the stadium were in Tampa.

"The bottom line is the team is just not being supported enough where it is right now," he said.

Through the group's Web site, people can join or sign a petition.

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