Heatcheck: The final results
It was one of the biggest complaints about the Tampa Bay Rays' original $450-million waterfront ballpark proposal: How could you build an open-air stadium in Florida? Well, we started this April trying to figure out just how bad things might be.
Our findings?
Not nearly as bad as people think. We studied the weather conditions around Tropicana Field and downtown for each of the Rays' 81 home games this year. We considered the temperature at the time of the game, and the conditions present during the game.
Our review, admittedly, was subjective. One person's definition of "hot" might be different than another person's. And weather patterns and game schedules vary from year to year. But based on 2008, heat and rain were hardly an issue for the Rays.
Of the team's 81 games, only 16 presented a particular challenge regarding heat. That did not factor in the Rays' plans for a sail over the new ballpark, which would have provided shade. Or the Rays' proposal to move Sunday day games to later in the afternoon.
Rain, it turns out, was even less of a factor. Of 81 games, there possibly would have been only one rainout. In fact, there would not have been that many rain delays. Now that isn't to say the threat of rain might have kept fans away, but when it came to actual downpours, St. Petersburg was pretty dry in 2008.
So here are our final standings.
How you feeling? Hot. Hot. Hot. ---- 16
Hot, but nothing a cold beverage couldn't cure. ---- 17
Take me out the ball game. ---- 48
Rain delay (rain as a minor factor) ---- 4
Rainout (rain as a major factor) ---- 1
What do you think? Is 2008 an anomaly? Am I out of my mind?
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The Tampa Bay Rays continue to pursue plans for a new baseball stadium. Host 
Yes. :)
Posted by: John D | September 24, 2008 at 01:53 PM
It is subjective...for me anything hot is hot...cold beer or not. If I'm going to sweat, i'm going to stay home and watch on the TV and listen to the announcer. So my number would have been 42 games where I wouldn't even think of going. I think they are nuts to be building an open air stadium...sail or no sail. Winning team or no winning team. This just isn't a big enough baseball town to get people out in the heat. I DO hate to say that...but it is what it is.
Posted by: annette baesel | September 24, 2008 at 06:55 PM
72 degrees seemed to work for the ALCS Champs!
Posted by: Kathleen | October 20, 2008 at 10:52 AM