Where else?

Rays postpone stadium plans
Now that a November vote is off, what sites should the Rays consider for a ballpark?
New stadium at the Trop
Waterfront
Toytown
St. Petersburg/Clearwater Airport
Tampa

Comments

[Ray F]

Aaron,

Why is the Waterfront on there when the poll asks what OTHER SITES???

[Rays Mike]

The waterfront location has not been taken off of the table. My question, is, why is Tampa even a consideration at this point? St. Pete is not going to let the Rays out of the lease..

[Florida]

I think the rays need a new area! The reason why fans are low at the games is because nobody wants to drive all the way to st. pete. Its a pain in the butt trying to get TO the stadium period.. Needs to be in a area with more people.. Like Raymond james stadium, like Yankees spring training ball park Great area... If there called Tampa bay rays why are they in st.pete anyway.. TAMPA bay RAYS, TAMPA bay bucs. You people are smart I dont have to tell you, we all know where they belong........

[John]

Pretty funny watching all the Tampons come out of the woodwork suddenly.

[Max]

I live in Tampa, and I don't mind driving to St. Pete to watch a game. Waterfront is great, but the current plan blows due to parking, which will be a nightmare. Why don't they tear down Albert Whitted and build a bigger park there? Then you can use the old Progress Energy lot for parking.

[Tampa sucks]

Hey Max, why don't we tear down Ybor city and put it there?

Try and keep up?

[Dave in St Pete]

Albet Whitted is off limits for at least 20 years per the Feds and per a referedum by the citizens of St Pete.

[Max]

"Hey Max, why don't we tear down Ybor city and put it there?"

Fine by me. Speaking of dumps, change my vote to Toytown.

[Bobby Fenton]

Folks, it's all on the table right now. There is nothing that can be ruled out. And Tampa and/or Hillsborough county needs to make sure they get someone or two on that committee being formed.

[John]

Sorry Bobby, Tampa is not being included. Steinbrenner will have none of that since he "owns" Tampa.

Nor should they be included. This is a Pinellas issue. Not Hillsborough.

Nice try, though.

[Lee]

Wow! That happened faster than I would have guessed. I assume the Money Boyz will now go where their investments are welcome.
St Pete had better be careful. The word about turning away money gets around fast amoung a small crowd. This decision will hurt more than the stadium opponents can measure. Just what is downtown's next act?
So much for growth. Whiners won.

[Austin]

The Rays waterfront plan shows a great deal of creativity and would greatly assist St. Pete's efforts in having a dense and attractive downtown metro area.

Building the stadium somewhere else, such as across from the Valpac building would be a continuation of planning and development mistakes made by the Tampa Bay area.

There is a reason that Tampa Bay is not on the popular best places to live list and it is due to the poor decision making by its undereducated citizens and politicians.

If I were the Rays I would start talking to Orlando.

[Waterfront Baseball]

The waterfront location in downtown St Pete is by far the best! This will showcase St Pete. It is the most desired location in all of Pinellas County. I hope they build there and keep the tradition of Al Lang Field alive.

GO RAYS!!!

[Mike]

Building a new stadium at the Trop site is a good idea if we can also bring in electric rail from Tampa to the site. This will help commuters and make it easier and less expensive for people to attend the games. It will also reduce congestion on our already crowded roads.

AUSTIN
don't use the word "dense"

PINELLAS COUNTY BEACHES ARE REGULARLY RANKED #1 WORLDWIDE

TOURISM IS OUR ECONOMY STUPID

TAMPA BAY REGION IS CURRENTLY RANKED IN TOP 5 RETIREMENT

OUR AMENITES COMBINED WITH RELATIVE AFFORDABILITY OUTRANK COMPARABLE CITIES

Rays have a place within
this OVERALL economy.

Rays MUST increase finacial contribution
Rays MUST agree to a site acceptable to community

TOYTOWN IS CENTRALLY LOCATED AND HAS DEVELOPMENT SCHEDULED INCLUDING 60? ACRE RECREATIONAL COMPONENT WITH DEVELOPER BEAR CREEK EAGER TO BUILD STADIUM

[Philip]

Why don't we just leave the state and play in Veagas.

[Will Ferrell]

Goodbye people and GO COWBELL!!!

[since1962]

because Vegas has

economic(foreclosures),

and

ecologic(water)

(just to name two)

pressures JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER CITY IN AMERICA.

[Kim]

We never wanted baseball here and it was forced on us by chamber of commerce here in St. Pete. We never got to vote. Like we never got to vote for all the million and millions spent on downtown. It always turned out a mess and we were taxed and taxed. The city government never did without. Their pockets were always filled. They torn down the old Florida Theater. It was beautiful. That was the beginnning of the corruption. They torn it down for money. They sent the retired people out of the city. It was clear they did not want retired people here anymore. They build this Trop without the people's wishes. We have been stuck with it. Now we say no more. This city has always told us to suck it in. Now it is time they suck it in. Our city government has plenty of money. I mean plenty of money. Ask Tish. This city has money coming our of its ears. Each year when they do the budget they cry about police/fire protection and the property taxes only pay for that. The city is poor. It is on it last penny. We can not cut taxes. Yet they give a million to the southside and take back the ten million from the police dept. and put that in the general fund. The police dept has not grown for thirty years. Why, out population stays the same. You can not get a policeman out of his air-conditioner car. And after twenty-five years a policeman get 75% of his pay in retirement. City pays for this. They have the money for a new nice police station. Like we need a new one. Now the city is in funding schools. Yet they do not take care of the homeless and the police prevent churches feeding them while they sit in their air-conditioned cars. Is the city asking the police to cut back on running their engines twenty-four hours a day. No. why not? For the city has plenty of money.

Your Poll OMITTED the
majority VOTERS choice.

NO NEW STADIUM

DIFFICULT TO ACCEPT.

LOST/DELAYED ADVERTISING-TIMES

DELAYED REDEVELOPMENT TROP LOT

RAYS CAUSED THIS.

The task force has a nearly impossible 'task" NOW, given public sentiment.

yes kim

very sad

but true

Approx 664 entries as this progressed today.

good luck finding
ANY site at
ANY cost at
ANY time
UNFORTUNATE

We are NOT an unreasonable people but reactionary once we feel we have been duped.
Watch the politicans duck for cover once they understand.

[eduardo sarmiento]

Have you noticed that every new baseball stadium constructed recently has hosted the All-Star game but the Trop? That's very telling of what MLB and many fans think about this venue. The new Rays deserve better!

[Ryan]

Why does the team need to move to Tampa? The people in Pinellas commute to Tampa for the Buc's and Lightning. It's time for the Tampa crowd to show us some love.

[Joe]

Why not stay where they are, they made the decision to build there and it's close enough to downtown and easy access to the highway.
If they can't live with that decision then they should just disappear.

[Tim]

Kim sounds like all the other elderly residents in Pinellas who will probably not be around in 10 years anyway when the economic impact is felt. All they are concerned about is right now and how much money they can save today. You do realize that no more money was coming out of your pocket for the stadium? I bet you voted for that ridiculous amendment 1 that saved you a couple hundred bucks and eliminated all those police, fire department and teacher jobs you speak about. Let’s consider a younger area (Tampa) that has citizens that will actually attend games. I live in Tampa and go to about 20 – 25 games a year. How many games do you go to a year?

[Tim]

Oh, and can we take away the Trop option. Where do people think the Rays will play while all this is being built over 2 years? Please don't tell me a place like Legends Field or BrightHouse Stadium. Even though the St Pete residents don't come out and support their home team, I should expect those places would be extremely inadequate in regards to capacity.

[Mike]

Why isn't this team in Tampa??...look at the results of this on-line poll! There is a greater population in Tampa and they are called the Tampa Bay Rays last time I checked and not the St. Pete's Rays. I live in Tampa and can't stand driving an hour + to see a game and I'm sure there are thousands more like me. Bring the Rays to Tampa where they belong!!

[Never without Tampa]

You St. Pete people just don't get it. The team will never reach its full potential unless its in Tampa. Simply by the stadium being placed in or around downtown Tampa would increase attendance by 7,000-10,000 a game.

I have driven to many Rays games, have no problem with drive but I sure would have gone to many many more if it were in Tampa where we actually do have somewhat of a downtown life.

The stadium should have never been where it is now from the start, that's the problem. Now all you St. Pete people think people think its in the best interest to keep it there.

BTW: one of the highest income levels for state is in North Tampa, lots of kids lots of new growth. Would pull from from Brandon, Downtown, New Tampa, Pasco, Hernando, Port Richey with ohh so easy access from I75.

Playing better; let's just split the team one for each side of the Bay-both teams will then be playing like the old Rays.

[Never without Tampa]

BTW: I don't see grandma and grandpa in St. Pete having babies and kids anytime soon, Viagra, but no babies.

Wake up! Go where there is a better mix of families to get excitement back and market for long run to the kids and the kids of kids.

[Paul]

Let's put it in Rick K's front yard. He can name if 'paired development park'.

That's about the only place this would work.

[RC]

Hoo-Ray!~~~

They do NOT need a new waterfront stadium. Remodel the one they currently play in. We attend at least 30 games a year currently and would not attend anywhere near that if it were outside in the Florida Heat!

[Dom]

The Pier is a financial disaster. The land leading to it is underused and is larger than Progress Energy Park. Build your new stadium there.

[mlm]

Perhaps I missed it, but is anyone on this board talking about baseball? Like Rookie of The Year candidate Evan Longoria, rising superstar Carl Crawford, and the two stud pitchers (Kazmir and Shields)? Maybe if everyone stopped freaking out about conspiracy theories, POWW doctoring photos on their website, and economic impact, you'd see this is a great ball club. Here's the article about POWW's doctored phots too.

http://sociallyconsciousbird.com/wordpress/?p=352

[PC]

Some people just love to complain. Like all the St. Pete natives who want no part of new development or a vibrant city. Well, you've gotten your wish. The Rays ownership are smart people. They know the only place to guarantee a successful franchise now and in the future is in Tampa. Give the Tampa voters a chance! The Rays can, should and will break the lease with St. Pete. Heck they could probably buy themselves out of the lease for less trouble than trying to deal with all the old timers and negative nancys in old St. Pete.

[Joe]

Kim, 2:05 AM, I have one question for you: Who appointed you to speak for me? I never granted you that privilege and I don't appreciate your trying to usurp it. YOU didn't want baseball. I did. Stop this WE nonsense when you are speaking for YOURSELF.

[Jonas]

St. Pete had its chance and didn't want it. Time for Tampa to step up to the plate. I am going to enjoy watching this team for many years. I hope POWW enjoys the solitude.

[Louie]

I abhor everything about Tampa. Building the Florida Aquarium and The ST.(PETE) Times Forum there was already 2 strikes. Just keeps on trying to squeeze more people into a small space.

[Joe]

Question for all of you Tampan's out there, who think everything has to be over there: How many of you are willing to purchase my Bucs nd Lightning tickets and take them off my hands? At face value or better? Don't underestimate the $$$ from St Pete that support YOUR faclities.

[Joe Friday]

"Never without Tampa", you do not now nor obviously ever have gotten it. It's never been about St Petersburg/Pinellas, nor Tampa/Hillsborough. It is about the TAMPA BAY REGION! This includes the areas mentioned above, plus the several counties that are adjacent to them. Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties have approximately 1 million population each. Tampa has a population of 325K plus, while St Pete's is 250K plus. St Pete's mean age is only a couple of years higher than Tampa's. Your assumptions about this marketplace are comparatively out of the stone age!

Had there not been a St Pete/Pinellas(along with the aforementioned surrounding counties) aspect to create the region known as the Tampa Bay Market(especially as it pertains to the media base), there would be No Bucs, No Lightning, No Rays. The Storm, and the new iteration of the Rowdies might be viable, but those are niche sports, that are essentially Minor League.
On that basis, you can assume that Tampa on it's own(or St Petersburg for that matter) would at best be candidates for an AHL franchise or a local version of the Durham Bulls.

Remember the Lightning were never successfull in this area until they played for several years in St Pete at what is now the Trop; providing a bridge ultimately to the construction of what is now the Times Forum by Palace Sports. Had they continued to play east of Tampa at the Fairgrounds through the

initial series of owners they had, they would almost certainly no longer be here.

The Rays are likely to be receptive to remaining in the area including locating in Tampa, but they evaluate the viability of the overall market place described above with location being of low priority. They are more concerned with the ambience of a location to maximize the fan experience, which of course enhances their bottom line.
Bear in mind also that any alternative site will yield a larger overall cost, demanding a significantly higher contribution by government.

"NTW" I realize you probably believe you have the franchise on the big picture view, but trust me parochial, short sighted, & misinformed, views such as yours do not contribute to keeping MLB in Tampa Bay. You can take solace in the fact that you are not the only such individual on either side of the Bay.

What is sorely needed at this time, are ideas, opinions, and commentary that contribute to the priority of Keeping MLB in TAMPA BAY regardless of where! w

[TampaTransplant]

Squeeze more people in to a small space? Are you kidding?? Have you been to any other city in the US? Tampa is very much not a crowded city at all. There are a million parking lots that sit almost completely empty all day long. The last time I checked the St. Pete Times Forum, The Florida Aquarium and Channelside were all doing fine as far a business goes. They are hardly "strikes" as you call them. Compare this to how great the St. Pete Pier and the "For Sale" Bay Walk are doing. Talk about "strikes"! Even Ybor in its dilapidated state still draws more people and money than downtown St. Pete could dream of. The only thing good about St. Pete is the beach area and that is even starting to look old and more of a tourist trap as of late. The St. Pete downtown area is a complete afterthought that is going to go nowhere as long as they stay their current course. Try something different. You may just find out it's better than you thought.

[Dustin]

Admittedly, the Ray's management/ownership did a very poor PR job in releasing the new stadium idea. It was rushed and lacked any type of explanation or "branding".
It's unfortunate that many people learned of the plan via POWW, which grossly distorted the facts in an effort to manipulate the "'Burgian" fear of development.

The Trop was a bad idea from day one - located in an even worse area. You can't just sit a stadium down and hope the development follows. It's time the city and the team right the wrongs of the past and look towards the future, not the past, as so many opponents have chosen to do.

All of the new proposals are development plans, not just stadium plans. Development is something this city needs, and something that would have drastically changed our downtown and waterfront for the better. Restaurants, shops, urban living, tax revenue...say good bye to that.

It is time that the residents of St. Pete accept that their city is poised for greatness, and they can either allow it to become the world class city it can be, or they can continue to maintain it's image as Tampa's sleepy cousin across the bay.

I hope that the planning commission does not rule out a waterfront location somewhere in the county. To build a new stadium, anywhere but our waterfront, would be a horrible mistake. Every game would be a 3 hour long advertisement for our waterfront and city. The longterm economic benefit far exceeds any short term problems.

[bill]

Better check the City of St. Petersburg City Charter? After the white elephant was built Referendum March 28, 1989 section 701 and 702 has a cap on projects no new stadium with out a vote. The City has crappy lawyers.

[Jim]

Tampa? Please. The Rays need to stay in St Pete. Why would they want to move to a place filled with strip clubs, billboards and racism. There is so much more culture on the St Pete side of the bay.

[Louie]

Do you know of any good spots to park, reasonable, near the St *PETE* Times Forum? And the **THE FLORIDA AQUARIUM**? Stop it! My sides are killing me.

[Brad]

Baseball,Baseball,Baseball! I love baseball, I love the Rays, I love St. Pete, I love Tampa. I'll go watch this team anywhere in the Tampa Bay area. They're good for the area and for all those that don't like the Rays, you have no idea what you're missing!!!

[TampaTransplant]

Louie,
Try the Channelside parking garage. Maybe the Harbour Island parking garage. Maybe The Florida Aquarium lot. Maybe the parking garage directly next door to the St. Pete Times Forum. If heights don't suite you well there are plenty of ground lavel places to park. Again, look at what you are arguing and admit you have no clue. The only thing to laugh at is what you just wrote or your lazinees that prevents you from walking over 1 block to get to an event.

[O-Boy]

There's always room in Orlando!!!

[Jimbo]

Yeah, with your smaller DMA and poor attendance at a 10K stadium! I could imagine Orlando filling that stadium now....LMAO!!!!

[Mike]

Ha! Tiny little baby Orlando supporting an MLB team? Your metro area is not even half the size of ours! Go play with the kiddies at Disney! Ha ha ha!

[TampaTransplant]

My final kick on this dead horse...
If The Florida Aquarium and St. Pete Times Forum are packed too close together and don't have any parking then how was it that the Lightning had the 3rd best attendance record in the whole NHL??? The only 2 teams to beat them were the Detroit Red Wings and the Montreal Canadiens. I guess there were a lot of carpoolers there.

Dustin's comments were right on with St. Pete. It can either languish in mediocrity as it has for many years or it can take a step forward towards progress. “If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten.”

Finally, there was an argument that St. Pete has more culture than Tampa and that Tampa has too much racism. That's another good joke. Tampa has planty of art galleries and studios that exhibit the talents of local artists. Look around. Plus, aren't they trying to revitalize Ybor City and dig it out from being just a bar district? The racist comment is a joke as there is racism everywhere. To say one city is more racist than another in this area is like saying that Pepsi tastes better than Coke. Didn't St. Pete have race riots a little while back? If there isn't racism in St. Pete then why would the people feel they need to riot to get attention?

[TT]

Never without Tampa and Tampa Transplant: There are these things called "cars." You need to find one and direct it to downtown St. Pete, where you will find these things called "people."

Please, TRY to find a business in downtown Tampa that's open past 5:30 pm. I work here - I KNOW they don't exist. The tiny island called Channelside is a joke unless there is an event at the SPT forum. I used to go to Ybor City for nightlife, now, since 80% of it is out of business and I choose not to take my life in my hands, I go to DOWNTOWN ST. PETE. Try to find a parking space on the street on a Fri or Sat night in St. Pete, they are rare, because the city is ALIVE. Some crappy bar in a strip center on Dale Mabry or the choice of WALKING to and from: Baywalk, Beach Drive, The Bishop, Independent, Rare Olive, Emerald, Mastry's or Vintage? Plus, live shows at Jannus Landing and State Theatre....I mean COME ON - there is no comparison between downtown Tampa and downtown St. Pete - please, try to get out more before any more ignorant comments.

[Louie]

The best thing Pinellas ever did was to leave Hillsborough County. We've got the beaches, we've got the sunsets and we've got the Rays. Deal with it!

[Paul]

Tampa Transplant - Art galleries and museums in Tampa? What, you're counting the Henry Plant one room space as a museum? The Tampa Art Museum is nice for what it is, but its approx 2/3 the size of the Fine Arts Museum in St. Pete.

The Dali Museum, Florida International Museum (Smithsonian Designate), and the Holocaust Museum (4th largest in US, one of only 2 to have a railroad car - the other is The Smithsonian) all trump anything that Tampa has. I've been to MOSI a dozen times, besides the IMAX, its just a notch above the Hands-On musuem in St. Pete.

I don't know that baseball fans and museum folks greatly overlap (I am one of few I think), but please don't go with the "Tampa has as much culture as St. Pete" - I've lived on both sides of the Bay and its simply not true.

[Jim]

The Albert Whitted Aiport location would make our ballpark the supreme ballpark in the major leagues. I know there are obstacles, however as far as a premier destination spot AND a great stimulus for downtown, this is by far the best location. A true tourism destination spot. Can we keep the air conditioning with a retractable roof???

[Jeff]

To those laughing off Orlando, you think teh drive from Tampa to St. Pete is long try the drive from downtown Orlando to Disney, waiting in line for 30 minutes to get parking, and walking 1/2 a mile to the stadium before criticising Orlando for almost selling out baseball games where the average ticket price was 60 bucks (as compared to 44 at the Trop).

Orlando probably wouldn't be outstanding in attendance, but it would be no worse than St. Pete now.

If you think Steinbrenner and his minions that have a hold on Hillsborough County and the Tampa Sports Authority is going to allow the Rays to move to Tampa proper or Hillsborough your sadly mistaken.

I think St. Pete is the best chance to keep the Rays in Florida.

Go Rays!

[2 cents ...]

Jeff,

Orlando pulled in 9500 people for a special event while the Rays were already starting to do well earlier this year. If you can't sell tickets when it's your only chance to see the team all year, then I don't think little Orlando has a leg to stand on over the course of 81 games. Orlando wouldn't sniff St. Pete for attendance.

Orlando: 9500/game.

St. Pete: 20000/game.

Why is Orlando even brought up?

TAMPANS

The DALI MUSEUM

has THE MOST ATTENDANCE

OF ANY FLORIDA MUSEUM

Research the facts

The proposed stadium would have CLOSED BAYSHORE in front of NEW DALI MUSEUM during GAMES AND EVENTS.

We'll get the RIGHT LOCATION

in the RIGHT CITY

TROPICANA OR TOYTOWN

[Dom]

The "Pier"? has it all! It's a ghost town out there. The land area leading to it is ample for a new stadium AND PARKING! Look at a map. Someone tell Silverman he could have his cake and eat it this way. All he has to do is bring the Rays back to Al Lang for spring training.

[Jimbo]

Why does everyone insist on bringing back the profitless spring training??? It's the same as putting a high-class restaurant in one location, have a positive response to it, so you want to expand, so you you put your satellite office 5 blocks away. Doesn't make sense, huh?

Expand the fan base, more people will come to the major product.

[Dom]

Ever think that some people can't afford to pay $50 bucks at a MLB game just to be within earshot of the game? I love spring training especially feeding frenzy Mondays at Brighthouse Field.

All the posters STILL debating the WATERFRONT...

IT IS OVER

The normally peaceful parks lining our waterfront are that way BY DESIGN with occasional community events and few intrusions to relaxation.

Sorry that PARKS are not active and loud 24/7 for the "scientific" studies some have cited here.

If a waterfront BALLPARK is YOUR OBSESSION without regard to our OVERALL ECONOMY...

WHY NOT BUILD IT:

ON WEEEDON ISLAND PRESERVE

(waterfront,quiet,undeveloped,"underutilized")

ON CALADESI

(#1 rated waterfront world wide,quiet,undeveloped,
"underutilized"

[Dom]

Do you like to subsidize a money losing operation? That's what The Pier is with its rotting piles. Somebody has to be a visionary. A ballpark whether its Toytown or the Pier for that matter can be asthetically pleasant and beneficial to the public. Had Rays management and the City of St Petersburg put their heads together, the solution would be right in front of them. The only reason Tropicana Field isn't in the mix, is the money to MLB. There's no place to put the Rays profitably while a new stadium is being built.

[Mike]

Most games at the Trop cost $9 for the minimum ticket. Where did this $50 come from? You can even bring food into the Trop. It's the cheapest place in MLB to see a game!

[Dustin]

"All the posters STILL debating the WATERFRONT...IT IS OVER"

That's funny, because most people including those on here, city leaders, the stadium commission, Rays ownership and the media seem to think this is the beginning. The Rays and the city saw the error in their ways and changed direction, virtually insuring that they will get a new stadium, rather than risking losing the opportunity now. Hate to break it to you but your little red signs actually helped the team rather than hurt it.

The waterfront is not off the table - did you not listen or read about the press conference yesterday? It's time the residents of St. Pete adjust to the growing population and let go of this sleepy, "old Florida" fairytale.

By the way...typing in all CAPS is rude and considered shouting.

YES Rrrrrrrrrrrrick

[DLT]

Its simple, The Rays may be Tampa Bay's team, but because they are in St. Petersburgh, they're cut off from most of Tampa Bay. The Rays want and need to draw from all of Central Florida, including the Orlando region - but that's not going to happen in St. Pete.

St. Pete building that stadium cost us years of opportunities to get a baseball team for this area. It was why we were passed over when the Marlins and Rockies were born. Its why we were used by the Giants, Mariners, White Sox, and Twins. Had St. Pete not built that albatross, we would be in our 20th or so year of baseball in Tampa Bay, filling up those stands every night.

Why? Because the Yankees would have moved out of town when the Tampa Bay team came to Tampa and all the carpet bagging bandwagoning Yankee fans would eventually convert over the way they did with the Bucs.

I'm glad the near-sighted old fogies in St. Pete got the Rays to back off. They'll eventually figure out that Pinellas County is minor league.

[Jimbo]

Spoken like a true Tampon...and I mean that in both senses.

[TampaTransplant]

TT,
I think you forgot some activities that there are to do in the Tampa/Hillsborough County area. Activities like professional hockey, professional football, Ford Amphitheatre, Improv, Jackson's, all of Howard Ave., Channelside (which is packed any Friday or Saturday night and has good parking), USF athletics, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center... You want me to keep going? If you were looking up and down Dale Mabry for nightlife in Tampa or Hillsborough county then somebody gave you the wrong directions. BTW, maybe try eating at Estella's on Davis Island if you somehow get stuck around downtown Tampa after 5:30 PM. Wouldn't want you to starve to death trying to find some food.

Mr. CAPS LOCK, can you please move along with your horrible attempts at sarcasm and your unsubstantiated facts. Don't you think your Dali museum would have benefitted a bit with all the foot traffic around it during games? That's the difference between a lot of us here. Some are optimists who can see the glass as half full and the others are pessimists. So far pessimists are winning the political fight but how long will it take for you to realize that you are only hamstringing your own economy in the long run?

[Rick K]

The loony ANTI movement has won a victory, and still they cannot admit the truth. Reading all this crap makes my stomach turn.

Everyone who thinks this is over, just watch what happens. And watch how many loony assertions of the ANTI's are proven wrong.

I look forward to participating in a community wide process which I predict will end up with the community deciding that the waterfront stadium is the smartest alternative.

[Jimbo]

Hey! It's Rick K! We've been wondering where you were. Everything alright?

[Thomas]

As bitter as always, Big Rick K!

Who can't admit the truth?

The people who said this was a terrible idea and were proven correct when the Rays themselves killed the plan.

OR

The dude who said this was the greatest plan ever and was proven incorrect when the Rays themselves killed the plan.

As accurate as always
As credible as always

Rick K !

[MikeBlack]

Wow. There's some crazy flying around here. I don't know where you guys got your facts, but "Tampa Bay Rays" has absolutely zero to do with Tampa. It has everything to do with the bay area. The St. Pete Times Forum has zero to do with St Pete, and everything to do with The Times company.

As a Brandon resident, I think St Pete should have a shot to keep the team. If they end up in Hillsborough, put it in some of the empty land in Rattlesnake. That way the St Pete fans have a chance to easily get to the stadium.