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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Rays: WE (want to) GO TO DISNEY WORLD AGAIN!

The Rays organization has proposed a series against the Toronto Blue Jays that would take place April 22-24. The St. Petersburg Council must approve all Rays home games played outside of Tropicana Field, and will vote on the request January 24.

“We were very pleased with every aspect of last year’s series at the Disney Sports Complex, particularly the experience we were able to provide for fans who were attending their first Rays game,” said team president Matt Silverman. “This series remains a very important part of our ongoing efforts to expand our fan base throughout the state and further establish St. Petersburg as Florida’s baseball capital.”

If they want to expand their fan base throughout the state, would it not make sense to not just use Orlando, but maybe play a game or three in Jacksonville or Tallahassee (I understand that Howser Stadium is very nice)? If Tampa wants to become the “Florida Rays”, would it not make sense to use all of Florida (besides the Miami area, of course)?

Gamingboy Posted: January 12, 2008 at 03:15 AM | 4 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
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1. Frank McCourt's Gold Stars are in bankruptcy court Posted: January 12, 2008 at 05:01 AM (#2666797)

May as well - Orlando, Jax and Tally all have nice Triple A-worthy stadiums.
It's not as if the Fish are doing any outreach to the rest of the state.

2. Jim Wisinski

Posted: January 12, 2008 at 01:43 PM (#2666874)

The main difference is that it takes two hours to drive from Orlando to St. Pete but at least five to get to Jacksonville or Tallahassee. Orlando is close enough to be considered within the logical reach of their market while the other two really aren't. Plus unless baseball fans in those cities are just determined to root for a team that plays in the same state there's no geographic reason for them to root for the Rays, Atlanta is about the same distance away. I think that reaching out to Orlando is productive but going for the cities right near the border would be much less so.

3. Misirlou's got a busy day, he's wearing a vest Posted: January 12, 2008 at 01:54 PM (#2666878)

Plus unless baseball fans in those cities are just determined to root for a team that plays in the same state there's no geographic reason for them to root for the Rays, Atlanta is about the same distance away. I think that reaching out to Orlando is productive but going for the cities right near the border would be much less so.

Right. Jax is Braves territory all the way. It's not northern Florida, it's southern Georgia.

4. catomi01 Posted: January 12, 2008 at 02:45 PM (#2666891)

playing in disney also gives them more national and international exposure.....not sure who really attends events at the sports complex, but it seems like a pretty diverse pool of candidates.

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Saturday, January 12, 2008

Rays: WE (want to) GO TO DISNEY WORLD AGAIN!

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