Stadium Plan Delayed Indefinitely
Tampa Bay Rays president Matt Silverman talks with reporters at a press conference at the Valpak facility near Gandy Blvd. [Edmund D. Fountain, Times]
UPDATE (3:38) The conference just finished. Bay News 9 ended up not airing it live.
Rays President Matt Silverman is on TV now: "We are withdrawing our proposal and we will no longer be seeking a November referendum on a waterfront ballpark."
Why?
"There has not been sufficient support for the timelime that we put forth."
It is up to the community now to decide what to do about the stadium, Silverman says.
"Our discussion has brought us together despite our differences on many points...Today the Rays are passing the torch to the community and a new coalition."
"We are very optimistic that with the work of this community coalition that a plan will come together to keep Major League Baseball in St. Pete for years to come."
UPDATE (4 p.m.) Mayor Rick Baker is on TV now. He is praising the Rays' commitment to St. Petersburg.
Jeff Lyash, CEO of Progress Energy, will head up the community coalition on the stadium.
UPDATE ( 4:07) Lyash says he is excited to be involved.
"I have watched and listened and participated in the debate on the waterfront stadium over the last few months...I have been most impressed by the common ground that exists between all parties."
Lyash says the community needs to "step up its game" and support the Rays.
UPDATE (4:30) The Rays stadium proposal has been delayed indefinitely, not until 2010 as some elected officials said earlier today. Lyash's coalition will work to develop a new timeline.
-Cristina Silva, Times Staff Writer
The Tampa Bay Rays continue to pursue plans for a new baseball stadium. Host 
Does this mean Aaron won't have a job???
Posted by: Ray F | June 25, 2008 at 03:40 PM
5 more years of Ballpark Frankness!! Show us the money!!!
Posted by: Aaron's Agent | June 25, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Aaron hasn't demanded a new one yet, but he has said that his computer is good for 1 - 3 years.
Posted by: Rays Mike | June 25, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Cristina,
Do you know if BayNews9.com will do a live stream? I'm at work and can't see BN9 on TV. My boss would kill me!
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Get back to work or you're fired!
Posted by: Jimbo's Boss | June 25, 2008 at 03:54 PM
Watchin BayNews9 at work is the least of Jimbo's worries... he keeps forgetting the covers on his TPS Reports and, quite frankly, Lumberg is going to be pissed. Come next week, he can watch all the BayNews9 he wants from the comfort of his own couch.
Posted by: Jimbo's Other Boss | June 25, 2008 at 04:01 PM
AAron and Howard -
I would like to propose on a Saturday or Sunday after the rethinking of the stadium proposal that we have a cook-out at Al Lang. I would think with your Times clout you can persuade the city to make it available. Very simple hamburgers & hot dogs bring your own food and side dishes. Everyone can donate a dollar or two to pay for the gas to those who volunteer to bring their BBQ grill. $5 each pays for the city clean-up.
Posted by: get-smart | June 25, 2008 at 04:02 PM
LOL, a good comic release is what we all need from this saga. Glad I can provide once in a while ;-)
Posted by: Jimbo | June 25, 2008 at 04:03 PM
The real issue is Jimbo isn't being challenged enough. He has management potential dripping from every pore.
Posted by: Consultant to Jimbo's Bosses | June 25, 2008 at 04:04 PM
I will not EVER vote for a new stadium. Doesn't matter now, or in 2010. Good Luck. I hope they move tomorrow
Posted by: ST Pete Steve | June 25, 2008 at 04:08 PM
A real straight shooter with upper management potential.
The pleasure was all on this side of the table.
I celebrate Michael Bolton's whole catalog.
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 04:09 PM
Did you get the memo, Jimbo?
Posted by: Rays Mike | June 25, 2008 at 04:10 PM
He can always work here - provided he has sufficent pieces of flair.
Posted by: Manager at restaurant where Jimbo eats lunch | June 25, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Rick K would be perfect as the "people person" who deals with the customers.
He can "Jump to Conclusions" pretty well also.
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 04:10 PM
Rick K's currently busy, he's in a meeting with the Bobs
Posted by: John | June 25, 2008 at 04:11 PM
St. Pete's darkest day. What a sad excuse of a city I was born and raised in.
Congrats kooks! With any luck the Rays will move to God's Toilet: Largo.
Posted by: Chuck | June 25, 2008 at 04:12 PM
I knew I should have worn more than 14 pieces of flair...
Posted by: Rays Mike | June 25, 2008 at 04:13 PM
PC LOAD STADIUM - what the hell does that mean?!?
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 04:14 PM
whoa, whoa, whoa... wait a second there professor.
I said we fixed "the glitch"... so it'll just work itself out.
You see, we like to avoid confrontation whenever possible.
Posted by: Ray F | June 25, 2008 at 04:15 PM
Chuck,
With all due respect, God's Toilet is Miami.
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 04:15 PM
St. Pete Steve is a no-talent as$clown.
Posted by: Michael Bolton | June 25, 2008 at 04:15 PM
...and then this guy
Sameer Nagga... nagganaha... naga... ehhh not gonna work here anymore that's for sure anyway. He's gone.
Posted by: Ray F | June 25, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Yeaaaaaaa . . .I'm going to need you to push your stadium back a couple years (slurp) we're using this area for storage.
Posted by: The Boss | June 25, 2008 at 04:18 PM
I'm thinking I might like that new Plan B financing. If things go well I might be showing it my O-face.
"Oh!"
You know what I'm talkin' about.
Posted by: Thomas | June 25, 2008 at 04:18 PM
Looks like you've been missing a lot of work lately.
I wouldn't say I've been *missing* it, Bob.
Posted by: Mark | June 25, 2008 at 04:19 PM