D’Rays Move Three-Game Series Against Rangers To Orlando

D’Rays Jorge Cantu (l) And Scott Kazmir Will Return To Disney World For Series Against Rangers

The D’Rays formally announced plans to play a three-game series against the Rangers next season at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando as part of taking “another important step toward becoming a regional team,” according to Eduardo Encina of the ST. PETERSBURG TIMES. D’Rays President Matt Silverman said that the team will offer season-ticket holders “rebates or other compensation if they prefer not to attend the games at Disney.” Cracker Jack Stadium, where the games will be played, seats 9,500, but temporary outfield stands can increase capacity to 14,000. D’Rays Senior VP/Development & Business Affairs Michael Kalt said of making it an annual event, “We’re going to take this one year at a time. We’ll see how it goes” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 12/15). Silverman said that the club “will ‘make sure that this three-game series is a success’ before deciding whether to return to Disney in 2008 and beyond” (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/15).

GOING REGIONAL: The D’Rays said that the “sole purpose [of the series] is to enlarge the fan base.” Tapping into Orlando, the country’s 20th largest media market, is “instrumental in their regional efforts.” Silverman: “This is just one of many efforts we’ll continue to do to expand our fan base.” The TIMES’ Encina wonders, “Could this be the precursor to relocation?” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 12/15). Univ. of South Florida marketing professor Paul Solomon said that the D’Rays “will need to do more ... to lure Central Florida fans.” Solomon: “If they’re not involved with the community and not doing more than just playing the games, then obviously I don’t think this will be a very effective strategy.” Orlando’s WOPX-Pax will air 67 games in ‘07, up from 25 this past season (ORLANDO SENTINEL, 12/15).

RANGE ROVERS: While the move “will not directly benefit the Rangers financially,” President Jeff Cogen sees the series “as a positive one.” Disney’s involvement “may draw some fans who are at Disney World and might not otherwise attend” an MLB game (STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/15). Rangers Senior Dir of Baseball Media Relations Gregg Elkin said that the team is “examining the prospect of organizing fan trips for season ticket-holders and possibly team employees.” Some players “plan to bring their families” (AP, 12/14).