On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays announced plans for renovations on Tropicana Field. What will change for 2019?
On Friday, the Tampa Bay Rays announced that they will be reducing Tropicana Field’s seating capacity by eliminating the upper-deck, 300 level. Prior to the renovations, Tropicana Field could hold 31,042 fans. Next year, the stadium’s seating capacity will be reduced to around 25,000.
Rays’ President, Matt Silverman, addressed the plan in a press release.
"“These renovations mark our continued commitment to providing a first-rate fan experience at Tropicana Field. Together, in concert with the reduction in seating capacity, these investments will help create a more intimate, entertaining and appealing experience for our fans.”"
This is an interesting change as the Tampa Bay Rays are a franchise that struggles to consistently draw fans. By eliminating the upper deck, fans will be closer to every game as seating will be limited to the first level, mezzanine, and second level.
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The renovations will also include more social gathering places and improved entrances. The field will be getting a facelift too as the club will be installing a new Shaw Sports Turf playing surface.
These changes were needed as the creativity should benefit the in-game experience at Tropicana Field.
The Rays averaged 14,258 fans per game in 2018, which ranked second to last in all of Major League Baseball. The Rays needed a change as they have ranked last in attendance in all but two seasons since 2012. This is an odd phenomenon for a team that typically finds itself being competitive.
Earlier in the offseason, the Tampa Bay Rays showed their commitment to the Tampa Bay area as they had plans for a new stadium in the Ybor City area. Plans were abandoned early last month, but these renovations further the team’s commitment to the area.
The club needs their fans to be more involved and this is a creative way to differentiate their stadium. This move is a step in the right direction as fans need to be enticed by a good in-game experience. The Rays will need to improve their fan support or risk losing the team from Tampa Bay. In the end, baseball is still a business and the Rays need to make money. The team always seems to be a candidate to move to a new city.
Rays’ outfielder, Tommy Pham, recently disparaged the team’s fanbase during an interview with Sirius XM in December.
"“It sucks going from playing in front of a great fan base to a team with really no fan base at all. That’s something that I miss, because even here in the Dominican they have a strong fan base for the team I’m playing for. Their fans are very supportive. They’re loud. And the Rays? They just don’t have that.”"
Tropicana Field should now yield a unique experience as the unorthodox club will play in an unorthodox stadium. Maybe the new fan experience will help the team draw more fans in 2019?
The Rays were a good baseball team in 2018 and they should stay good in 2019. I think that it is reasonable to assume that we will see an increase in attendance due to their quality of play and the new renovations.
I am intrigued by Tropicana’s new changes, what’s not to like? Fans should take advantage of the opportunity to get closer to their favorite players at Tropicana Field in 2019.