Rays to split spring training at Disney, Tropicana Field
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays will cut up their spring coaching between the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista and Tropicana Field as a result of their very own facility on Florida’s Gulf Coast was broken by Hurricane Ian, the crew stated Tuesday.
The Rays introduced earlier this month that they wouldn’t have the ability to host spring coaching at their facility in Port Charlotte as a result of repairs to their advanced couldn’t be made in time for spring coaching. The Rays have skilled in Port Charlotte, which is about 90 minutes south of St. Petersburg, since 2009.
Ian, a strong Category 4 storm, struck southwest Florida’s Gulf Coast in late September.
The Atlanta Braves did spring coaching on the Disney advanced for 21 years earlier than relocating in 2019 to CoolToday Park in North Port, Florida, which can be on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
“We are thankful for Disney’s willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs,” Rays crew president Matt Silverman stated in a press release. “ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp up to the season.”
The settlement permits the crew’s main and minor league gamers to start exercises on the advanced in early February. They will then transfer their main league operations to St. Petersburg, whereas minor league exercises and video games will proceed on the stadium on Disney’s property.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Major League Baseball back to Walt Disney World Resort,” Disney Sports Vice President Faron Kelley stated in a news launch. “We’re always looking for top-tier events, like the Rays’ Spring Training for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.”
The Rays have performed three regular-season video games on the Disney facility, profitable all three towards the Texas Rangers in 2007. The subsequent 12 months, the Rays swept the Toronto Blue Jays, bettering their document to 6-0 on the Walt Disney World Resort stadium.
The Rays stated earlier this month that the crew and Port Charlotte officers intend to develop a restoration plan for the Charlotte Sports Park.
“We are all disappointed for the residents of Charlotte County and the fans there. The community is in the thoughts and hearts of the Rays, and the team will continue to support recovery efforts,” the crew stated then in a press release.
