Plans include eliminating the upper-deck, leaving only the first, mezzanine and second seating levelsGETTY IMAGES
The Rays have announced a renovation plan for Tropicana Field that will "reduce the seating capacity to about 25,000-26,000" for the '19 season as the club "attempts to improve the game-day experience for fans," according to Mike Garbett of the BRADENTON HERALD. The ballpark's seating capacity last season was 31,042. The changes "include the creation of a lower-level Left Field Ledge that features premium seating for small groups and the closing of the upper deck." Other planned changes include "redesigning and enhancing two primary fan entrances (Gates 4 and 5) to improve the flow of fans through increased access points," as well as "eliminating the upper-deck level, which reconfigures the seating areas to include the first, mezzanine and second seating levels, as well as the new GTE Financial Party Deck, and concentrates fans closer to the field of play" (BRADENTON.com, 1/4). In Tampa, Carl Lisciandrello notes the announcement "comes a month after the team announced it was abandoning plans" to build a ballpark in the Ybor City area near downtown Tampa, but "remained committed to remaining in the Tampa Bay area." Season-ticket holders will be "able to preview the changes during Rays Fan Fest on Feb. 9." Those who have already purchased upper-level season tickets will be able to "relocate to a different location" (TAMPABAY.com, 1/4).
CATERING TO THE ELITE? NBCSPORTS.com's Craig Calcaterra writes for the Rays, there is "more going on" here than "simply closing seats that do not sell." There has been a recent trend among U.S. sports facilities to go with "fewer seats while placing a greater emphasis on more expensive seats, club sections and common gathering areas with bars and other amenities." The Rays "may have multiple aims with this move, but one of them certainly involves eliminating its lowest-priced tickets which likely represent fans who spend less money at any given ballgame." The transition is "certainly in keeping with baseball’s move toward making attending baseball games a more premium, upscale product" (NBCSPORTS.com, 1/4).
