Tropicana Field: Difference between revisions

From SportsPaper Wiki
m (1 revision imported)
m (Text replacement - "2008" to "2008")
 
(14 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Baseball stadium in St. Petersburg, FL, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox venue
{{Infobox venue
| stadium_name        = Tropicana Field
| venue_name = Tropicana Field
| nickname            = ''"The Trop"''
| location = St. Petersburg, Florida
| logo_image          = [[Image:Tropicana Field.svg|150px]]
| opened = March 3, 1990
| image              = [[File:Tropicana Field Playing Field Opening Day 2010.JPG|300px]]
| other_names = ThunderDome (1993-1996)<br/>Florida Suncoast Dome (1990-93)
| caption            = Tropicana Field prior to the first game of the 2010 season
| tenants = [[Tampa Bay Rays]] (1998-present)<br/>[[Tampa Bay Lightning]] (1993-1996)
| address            = One Tropicana Drive
| location           = [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]
| coordinates        = {{Coord|27|46|6|N|82|39|12|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map        = USA Florida#USA
| pushpin_relief      = 1
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Florida##Location in the United States
| broke_ground        = November 22, 1986<ref>{{cite news |title=Stadium Ground Broken|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=uhdVAAAAIBAJ&pg=6216,8363265&dq|newspaper=[[Boca Raton News]]|date=November 24, 1986|accessdate=September 20, 2011}}</ref>
| opened             = March 3, 1990
| renovated = 2014<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ortiz|first1=Jorge|title=New renovations aimed to draw fans to Tropicana Field|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2014/03/31/new-renovations-aimed-to-draw-fans-to-tropicana-field-tampa-bay-rays/7129211/|accessdate=27 February 2018|work=USA TODAY|date=31 March 2014|language=en}}</ref>
| closed              =
| demolished          =
| owner              = [[St. Petersburg, Florida|City of St. Petersburg]]
| operator            = [[Tampa Bay Rays|Tampa Bay Rays Ltd.]]
| surface            = [[AstroTurf]] (1998–1999)<br>[[FieldTurf]] (2000–2010)<br>AstroTurf GameDay Grass (2011–2017)<br>Shaw Sports Turf (2017–present)
| construction_cost  = US$130&nbsp;million<br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|130000000|1990}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect          = [[Populous (company)|HOK Sport]] ([[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]])<br>[[Lescher & Mahoney|Lescher & Mahoney Sports]] ([[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]])<br>Criswell, Blizzard & Blouin Architects ([[St. Petersburg, Florida|St. Petersburg]])
| structural engineer = Martin/Martin Consulting Engineers, Inc. (bowl)<br>[[Geiger Engineers|Geiger Engineers P.C.]] (roof)
| services engineer  = M-E Engineers, Inc.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.achrnews.com/articles/detroit-tigers-to-roar-in-comerica-park|title=Detroit Tigers to roar in Comerica Park|website=www.achrnews.com|accessdate=2016-06-08}}</ref>
| general_contractor  = [[Hunt Construction Group|Huber, Hunt & Nichols]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ballparks.com/baseball/american/tropic.htm|title=Ballparks.com – Tropicana Field|website=www.Ballparks.com|accessdate=2016-06-08}}</ref>
| former_names        = Florida Suncoast Dome (1990–1993)<br>ThunderDome (1993–1996)
| tenants             = [[Tampa Bay Storm]] ([[Arena Football League|AFL]]) (1991–1996)<br>[[Tampa Bay Lightning]] ([[National Hockey League|NHL]]) (1993–1996)<br>[[Tampa Bay Rays]] ([[Major League Baseball|MLB]]) (1998–present)<br>[[St. Petersburg Bowl]] ([[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]]) (2008–2017)
| seating_capacity    = 45,369 (1998)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/1998_sched.shtml|title=1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays Schedule, Box Scores and Splits|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=2016-06-08}}</ref><br>44,027 (1999)<ref>{{cite news |title=More Than Just Show |first=Kyle |last=Parks |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/tampabay/access/39551674.html?dids=39551674:39551674&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+07%252C+1999&author=KYLE+PARKS&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&desc=MORE+THAN+JUST+SHOW&pqatl=google |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=March 7, 1999 |accessdate=April 4, 2012}}</ref><br>44,445 (2000)<ref name="cap">{{cite news |title=Trop Given 90 Days to Fix Disabled Access |first=Leonora |last=LaPeter |url=http://www.sptimes.com/News/073101/SouthPinellas/Trop_given_90_days_to.shtml|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |date=July 31, 2001 |accessdate=April 4, 2012}}</ref><br>43,772 (2002–2006)<br>38,437 (2007)<br>36,048 (2008)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080407&content_id=2501482&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb|title=Rays' home opener officially sold out|website=raysbaseball.com|accessdate=2016-06-08|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512010324/http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080407&content_id=2501482&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb|archivedate=May 12, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref><br>36,973 (2009–2010)<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/major-league-baseball-preview-whats-new-at-the-trop/989561 |title=Major league baseball preview: What's new at the Trop |newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]] |accessdate=August 22, 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021192358/http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/major-league-baseball-preview-whats-new-at-the-trop/989561 |archivedate=October 21, 2013 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><br>34,078 (2011–2013)<br>31,042 (2014–2018)<ref>{{cite web |title=Rays Provide Glimpse of Significant Trop Renovations |first=Bill |last=Chastain |url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article/tb/rays-provide-glimpse-of-significant-tropicana-field-renovations?ymd=20131203&content_id=64354602 |publisher=[[Major League Baseball Advanced Media]] |date=December 3, 2013 |accessdate=March 4, 2014}}</ref><br>25,000 (2019–)<br>42,735 (including tarp-covered seats)
| dimensions = '''Left Field''' – {{convert|315|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Left-Center''' – {{convert|370|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Center Field''' – {{convert|404|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right-Center''' – {{convert|370|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Right Field''' – {{convert|322|ft|m|abbr=on}}<br>'''Backstop''' – {{convert|50|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[File:TropicanaFieldDimensions.svg|200px]]
| publictransit= 16th Street & 1st Avenue S
}}
}}
'''Tropicana Field''' is a stadium located in St. Petersburg, Florida. It opened on March 3, 1990 and is the home of the [[Tampa Bay Rays]]. It also hosted the St. Petersburg Bowl from 2008-17.


'''Tropicana Field''', also commonly known as '''The Trop''', is a domed stadium located in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]], United States, that has been the home of the [[Tampa Bay Rays]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) since the team's inaugural season in 1998. The stadium is also used for [[college football]], and from December 2008 to December 2017 was the home of the [[St. Petersburg Bowl]], an annual postseason [[bowl game]]. It is currently the only non-retractable domed stadium in Major League Baseball, making it the only year-round indoor venue in MLB. Tropicana Field is the [[List of Major League Baseball stadiums|smallest MLB stadium by seating capacity]] when obstructed-view rows in the uppermost sections are covered with tarps as they are for most Rays games.
==List of credited publications==
 
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: left"
Tropicana Field opened in 1990 and was originally known as the '''Florida Suncoast Dome'''. In 1993, the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] moved to the facility and its name was changed to the '''ThunderDome'''<ref>{{cite web|last=Davey|first=Monica|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/324374156/?terms=ThunderDome|title=That rumbling's not so distant|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|date=July 31, 1993|page=1B|accessdate=April 7, 2018}}</ref> until the team moved to [[Amalie Arena|their new home]] in downtown Tampa in 1996. In October 1996, [[Tropicana Products]], a fruit juice company then based in nearby [[Bradenton, Florida|Bradenton]], signed a 30-year naming rights deal.
 
==History==
{{see also|Baseball in the Tampa Bay area|Sports in the Tampa Bay area}}
After Tampa was awarded the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] and [[Tampa Bay Rowdies (1975–93)|Tampa Bay Rowdies]] in the 1970s, St. Petersburg decided it wanted a share of the professional sports scene in [[Tampa Bay Area|Tampa Bay]]. City officials decided early on that the city would attempt to attract [[Major League Baseball]]. Possible designs for a [[baseball park]] or [[multi-purpose stadium]] were proposed as early as 1983. One such design, in the same location where Tropicana Field would ultimately be built, called for an open-air stadium with a circus tent-like covering. It took several design cues from [[Kauffman Stadium]], including [[fountain]]s beyond the outfield wall.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.tampabay.com/ballpark/2008/05/the-original-tr.html|title=Rays stadium debate topic page {{!}} Tampa Bay Times|website=blogs.tampabay.com|access-date=2016-06-08|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730111639/http://blogs.tampabay.com/ballpark/2008/05/the-original-tr.html|archivedate=July 30, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
 
Ultimately, city officials decided that a stadium with a fixed permanent dome was necessary for a prospective major league team to be viable in the area, due to its hot, humid summers and frequent thunderstorms. Ballpark construction began in 1986 in the hope that it would lure a Major League Baseball team to the facility.
 
The stadium, built originally as the Florida Suncoast Dome, was first used in an attempt to entice the [[Chicago White Sox]] to relocate if a new ballpark was not built to replace the aging [[Comiskey Park]]. The governments of Chicago and [[Illinois]] eventually agreed to build a [[Guaranteed Rate Field|New Comiskey Park]] in 1989.
 
===1990s===
The stadium was finished in 1990.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1990-02-25/sports/9002253309_1_building-the-dome-suncoast-dome-florida-suncoast|title=Florida Suncoast Dome: A Gem Without A Diamond St. Petersburg's $309 Million Arena To Open Saturday|last=White|first=Russ|date=February 25, 1990|work=|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=2016-11-13|via=}}</ref> It hosted the [[1990 Davis Cup|1990 Davis Cup Finals]] that autumn, as well as several rock concerts, but still had no tenants. The venue helped make St. Petersburg a finalist in the MLB expansion for 1993, but it lost out to [[Miami Marlins|Miami]] and [[Colorado Rockies|Denver]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1991-06-11/sports/9106110679_1_petersburg-suncoast-dome-florida-suncoast|title=Plan Goes Awry In St. Pete|last=Cooper|first=Barry|date=June 11, 1991|work=|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=2016-11-13|via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1993-03-08/news/mn-1617_1_league-baseball|title=They built a field of dreams, but no one came : A city's $138-million baseball showcase fails to lure a big-league team.|last=Clary|first=Mike|date=March 8, 1993|work=|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-11-13|via=}}</ref> There were rumors of the [[Seattle Mariners]] moving in the early part of the 1990s, and the [[San Francisco Giants]] came close to moving to the area, with Tampa Bay investors announcing their purchase of the team and its relocation in a press conference in 1992.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/08/08/sports/baseball-baseball-s-giants-reach-agreement-to-move-to-florida.html|title=BASEBALL; Baseball's Giants Reach Agreement To Move To Florida|last=Chass|first=Murray|date=August 8, 1992|work=|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=2016-11-13|via=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://articles.latimes.com/1992-08-08/news/mn-4660_1_tampa-bay-area|title=S.F. Giants Owner Agrees to Sell to Tampa Bay Group|last=Newhan|first=Ross|date=August 8, 1992|work=|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035|access-date=2016-11-13|via=}}</ref> However, the sale and move were blocked by National League owners, who voted against the deal in November 1992<ref>{{cite news |title=BASEBALL; Look What Wind Blew Back: Baseball's Giants|first=Murray|last=Chass|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 11, 1992|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/11/sports/baseball-look-what-wind-blew-back-baseball-s-giants.html?pagewanted=all|page=B11}}</ref> under pressure from San Francisco officials and the then-owner of the [[Florida Marlins]], [[Blockbuster (movie rental store)|Blockbuster Video]] Chairman [[Wayne Huizenga|H. Wayne Huizenga]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E0CE7DE1530F930A2575BC0A964958260|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|title=ON BASEBALL; A Not-So Moving Story|first=Murray|last=Chass|date=August 13, 1992|accessdate=May 26, 2010}}</ref> A local boycott of Blockbuster Video stores occurred for several years thereafter.<ref name="twobays">{{cite journal | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1004133/2/index.htm | title=Tale of Four Cities | author=Hersch, Hank | journal=Sports Illustrated |date=August 1992}}</ref>
 
The Suncoast Dome finally got a regular tenant in 1991, when the [[Arena Football League]]'s [[Tampa Bay Storm]] made their debut. Two years later, the [[National Hockey League]]'s [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] made the stadium their home for three seasons. In the process, the Suncoast Dome was renamed the ThunderDome.<ref>{{cite web|last=Buckley|first=Tim |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/325053951/?terms=ThunderDome|title=Lightning's spark? It was on the bench|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|date=October 10, 1993|page=6C|accessdate=April 7, 2018}}</ref> Because of the large capacity of what was basically a park built for baseball, several NHL and AFL attendance records were set during the Lightning and Storm's tenures there.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/sptimes/access/22800795.html?dids=22800795:22800795&FMT=FT&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Apr+22%2C+1996&author=&pub=St.+Petersburg+Times&edition=&startpage=12.C&desc=25%2C945!+%2F%2F+AN+NHL-RECORD+CROWD+CHEERS+THE+LIGHTNING+ON+TO+VICTORY|title=25,945! An NHL-Record Crowd Cheers The Lightning On To Victory|accessdate=April 29, 2008|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabaystorm.com/storm/sub.cfm?pageid=1345|title=Tampa Bay Storm|website=www.tampabaystorm.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060322144321/http://www.tampabaystorm.com/storm/sub.cfm?pageid=1345|archive-date=March 22, 2006|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
 
Finally, in 1995, the ThunderDome received a baseball team when MLB expanded to the Tampa Bay area.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/1995/3/13/senate-section/article/S3827-1|title=MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL IN TAMPA BAY|last=|first=|date=March 13, 1995|website=www.congress.gov|publisher=|access-date=2016-11-13}}</ref> Changes were made to the stadium and its [[naming rights]] were sold to [[Tropicana Products]], who renamed it Tropicana Field in 1996. The completion of what is now [[Amalie Arena]] in downtown Tampa permitted "The Trop" to be vacated for preparation for its intended purpose, as the Lightning and Storm moved into that facility. A [[United States dollar|US$]]70&nbsp;million renovation then took place—to upgrade a stadium that had cost $130&nbsp;million to complete only eight years earlier. [[Ebbets Field]] was the model for the renovations, which included a replica of the famous rotunda that greeted [[History of the Brooklyn Dodgers|Dodger]] fans for many years. The first regular season baseball game took place at the park on March 31, 1998, when the [[1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|Devil Rays]] faced the [[1998 Detroit Tigers season|Detroit Tigers]], losing 11&ndash;6.
 
Although Tropicana was purchased by [[PepsiCo]] in 1998, PepsiCo did not elect to make any changes to Tropicana's naming rights, as the Tropicana brand is popular among the local fanbase.
 
===2000s===
The park was initially built with an [[AstroTurf]] surface, but it was replaced in [[2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2000]] by softer [[FieldTurf]]. A new version of FieldTurf, FieldTurf Duo, was installed prior to the [[2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2007]] season. It has always featured a traditional "full dirt" infield, instead of the "sliding pits" design that was common during the 1970s and 1980s, making it the first artificial turf field with a full dirt infield since [[Busch Stadium II]] in 1976. Since Tropicana Field does not need to convert between baseball and football, sliding pits, designed to save re-configuration time, were unnecessary. The only other artificial turf field in MLB, [[Rogers Centre]] in Toronto, converted to the full dirt infield after the departure of the [[Toronto Argonauts]] to [[BMO Field]]. Tropicana has hosted football games, but never during baseball season. On August 6, 2007, the AstroTurf [[warning track]] was replaced by brown-colored stone filled FieldTurf Duo.
 
Tropicana Field underwent a further $25 million facelift prior to the [[2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2006]] season. Another $10&nbsp;million in improvements were added during the season. In 2006, the Devil Rays added a live [[Cownose ray]] tank to Tropicana Field. The tank is located just behind the center field wall, in clear view of the play on the field. People can go up to the tank to touch the creatures. Further improvements prior to the [[2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2007]] offseason, in addition to the new FieldTurf, include additional family features in the right field area, the creation of a new premium club, and several new video boards including a new {{convert|35|x|64|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[Daktronics]] LED main video board that is four times larger than the original video board. The 2007 renovation also added built-in [[high-definition television|HDTV]] capabilities to the ballpark, with [[Fox Sports Florida]] and [[WXPX]] airing at least a quarter of the schedule in HD in 2007 and accommodating the new video board's 16x9 aspect ratio.
 
[[Image:TropicanaFieldEntrance.JPG|thumb|left|250px|Entrance rotunda façade as it appeared in 2008]]
 
On September 3, 2008, in a game between the [[2008 Tampa Bay Rays season|Rays]] and the [[2008 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]], Tropicana Field saw the first official use of [[instant replay]] in the history of [[Major League Baseball]]. The disputed play involved a home run hit above the left field foul pole by Yankee [[Alex Rodriguez]]. The ball was called a home run on the field, but was close enough that the umpires opted to view the replay to verify the call.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080903&content_id=3412816&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |title=Instant replay used for first time &#124; MLB.com: News |publisher=Tampabay.rays.mlb.com |date=May 24, 2013 |accessdate=September 23, 2013}}</ref> Later, the Trop saw the first case of a call being overturned by instant replay, when a fly ball by [[Carlos Peña]] originally ruled a ground-rule double due to fan interference, was overturned and made a home run on September 19. The umpires determined that the fan in question, originally believed to have reached over the right field wall, did not reach over the wall.<ref>{{cite web |first=Bill|last=Chastain|work=MLB.com|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080920&content_id=3512722&vkey=news_tb&fext=.jsp&c_id=tb|title=Rays happy with instant replay results &#124; raysbaseball.com: News|publisher=Tampabay.rays.mlb.com|date=September 19, 2008|accessdate=August 22, 2010}}</ref>
 
In [[2008 Major League Baseball Playoffs|October 2008]], Tropicana Field hosted its first ever baseball postseason games as the Rays met the [[2008 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] in the [[2008 American League Division Series|American League Division Series]], the [[2008 Boston Red Sox season|Boston Red Sox]] in the [[2008 American League Championship Series|American League Championship Series]], and the [[2008 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] in the [[2008 World Series|World Series]]. It hosted the on-field trophy presentations for the Rays when they became the American League Champions on October 19, following Game 7 of the ALCS. Chase Utley hit the first ever World Series home run at Tropicana Field during the first inning of Game 1 of the 2008 World Series. The Rays ended up losing the game 3–2 and eventually the World Series to the Phillies 4 games to 1.
 
===2010s===
[[Image:Tropicana field from air.JPG|thumb|right|287px|Tropicana Field from the air]]The first [[no-hitter]] pitched at Tropicana Field took place on June 25, 2010, thrown by [[Edwin Jackson (baseball)|Edwin Jackson]] of the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], who had been a member of the Rays from 2006 to 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/ex-ray-edwin-jackson-throws-no-hitter-against-tampa-bay|title=Ex-Ray Edwin Jackson Throws No-Hitter Against Tampa Bay|first=Joe|last=Smith|date=June 25, 2010|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|accessdate=July 27, 2010}}</ref>
 
About one month after Jackson's no-hitter on July 26, 2010, Tropicana Field was the site of the first no-hitter in Rays' history when pitcher [[Matt Garza]] achieved the feat. Garza faced the minimum 27 batters, as the only opponent to reach base (on a walk) was erased by a [[double play]] hit by the following batter.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/garza-has-rays-first-no-hitter|title=Garza Has Rays First No-Hitter|first=Marc|last=Topkin|date=July 26, 2010|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|accessdate=July 27, 2010|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730072415/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/garza-has-rays-first-no-hitter|archivedate=July 30, 2010|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
 
On June 24, 2013, in a game against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]], three Rays players – [[James Loney]], [[Wil Myers]], and [[Sam Fuld]] – hit consecutive home runs, a first at Tropicana Field.
 
Because of [[2015 Baltimore protests|rioting in Baltimore]], a series between the Rays and [[Baltimore Orioles]] in May 2015 was moved from [[Oriole Park at Camden Yards]] to Tropicana Field. The games were played with the Orioles serving as the home team and the Rays serving as the visiting team.
 
Due to severe flooding caused by [[Hurricane Harvey]] in the Houston area, the [[Houston Astros]] played one "home" series at Tropicana Field in August 2017 against the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] while the Rays were away on a previously scheduled road trip.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Witz|first1=Billy|title=A Houston Astros Home Series Is Moved to Florida|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/29/sports/baseball/a-houston-astros-home-series-is-moved-to-florida.html|work=The New York Times|date=29 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Shaikin|first1=Bill|title=Rangers happy to help flood-displaced Houston Astros ... but only to a point|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/mlb/la-sp-rangers-astros-20170829-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=29 August 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Rangers criticized for declining series swap|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20488740/houston-astros-play-texas-rangers-series-tropicana-field-wake-harvey-flooding|publisher=ESPN|agency=ESPN.com news services}}</ref> This was only the fourth time games were moved to a neutral location due to weather.<ref>{{cite news|title=Choo paces Rangers' 12-2 rout of Astros in Florida|url=http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=370829118|publisher=ESPN|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Coincidentally, in advance of [[Hurricane Irma]] arriving in the Tampa Bay area two weeks later, the Rays' home series against the [[New York Yankees]] was moved to [[Citi Field]], the home stadium of the Yankees' crosstown rivals, the [[New York Mets]].
 
In July 2018, a proposal was unveiled to replace the facility with [[Ybor Stadium]].<ref name="Replace">{{cite news |last1=Gardner |first1=Steve |title=Rays unveil plans to build smallest stadium in baseball to replace Tropicana Field |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/rays/2018/07/10/tampa-bay-rays-unveil-plans-new-glass-domed-ballpark-ybor-city/772426002/ |work=USA Today |date=10 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/rays-unveil-plans-for-new-ballpark-with-a-roof-thatll-reportedly-cost-240-million/|title=Rays unveil plans for new ballpark with a roof that'll reportedly cost $240 million|website=CBS Sports|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> However, later that year at the MLB Winter Owners Meeting, it was announced by Tampa Bay Rays owner [[Stuart Sternberg]] that the Ybor stadium plan would not go forward.<ref name="CL">{{cite web |url=https://www.cltampa.com/news-views/local-news/article/21036483/tampa-bay-rays-owner-stu-sternberg-says-therell-be-no-new-stadium-in-ybor-city|title=Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg says there'll be no new stadium in Ybor City|author1=Roa, Ray  |date=11 December 2018  |website=Creative Loafing |quote=owner Stuart Sternberg said that his team’s $892 million stadium plan for historic Ybor City has fallen apart}}</ref> The current stadium lease between the Rays and the City of St. Petersburg runs through 2027. The city granted the Rays until December 31, 2018 to continue negotiations with [[Hillsborough County, Florida|Hillsborough County]] officials. Although MLB commissioner [[Rob Manfred]] has stated his support for "the ballpark effort and [his] desire to be [help] in assisting all parties in finding a way to keep the Rays in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area", he also went on to say that the Rays should "explore a path that is in the best interests of his Club and Major League Baseball".<ref name="Blast_Plans">{{cite news |last1=Tompkin |first1=Marc |title=MLB commissioner Rob Manfred blasts plans for Rays stadium |url=https://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/2018/12/11/mlb-commissioner-rob-manfred-finds-rays-stadium-proposal-lacking/ |work=Tampa Bay Times |date=11 December 2018}}</ref>
 
In addition, the relocation announcement sparked a flurry of redevelopment proposals submitted to the City of St. Petersburg.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2018/07/12/so--what-s-next-for-the-tropicana-field-site-|title=So, what's next for the Tropicana Field site?|website=www.baynews9.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> There are proposals to eliminate the structure completely,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2018/06/07/architects-planning-for-tropicana-field-site-without-stadium|title=Architects planning for Trop site without stadium|website=www.baynews9.com|language=en|access-date=2018-12-14}}</ref> but efforts have been made to include the public in the debate using several community meetings.<ref name=":1" />
 
==Features==
 
===Architectural===
[[Image:TropGround.jpg|thumb|right|375px|Tropicana Field has a unique slanted roof]]
 
The most recognizable exterior feature of Tropicana Field is the slanted roof. It was designed at an angle to reduce the interior volume in order to reduce cooling costs, and to better protect the stadium from [[hurricane]]s. The dome is supported by a [[tensegrity]] structure and is lit up with orange lights after the Rays win a home game. When the [[Minnesota Twins]] vacated the [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]] following the 2009 season and moved into [[Target Field]] in 2010, Tropicana Field became the only active Major League Baseball stadium with a fixed (i.e., not retractable) roof. The catwalks attached to the non-retractable roof have been rare but occasional obstructions in the way of batted balls.
 
The main rotunda, on the east end of the stadium, resembles the [[Ebbets Field]] rotunda on the interior. The walkway to the main entrance of the park features a {{convert|900|ft|m|abbr=on}} long [[ceramic]] [[tile]] mosaic, made of 1,849,091 one-inch-square tiles. It is the largest outdoor tile mosaic in Florida, and the fifth-largest in the United States. It was sponsored by [[Florida Power Corporation]], which is now a part of [[Duke Energy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/index.jsp|title=Tropicana Field|website=Tampa Bay Rays|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
 
The primary 100-level concourse is at street level, with elevators, escalators and stairs separating the outfield and infield sections, since the ground is at different grades on either side. The 200-level loge box concourse is further separated, and is carpeted, as it includes the entrances to most of the luxury suites. The 300-level concourse is the highest of the concourses.
 
=== Gates ===
There are six gate entrances/exits to Tropicana Field. They are numbered in a clockwise fashion. Gate 1 is the main entrance and also known as the Rotunda.
 
===Dining and amenities===
 
{| class="wikitable toccolours collapsible collapsed" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="float: right; clear: both; margin: 0 0 1em 1em; text-align:right;"
|-
|-
! colspan="4" style="{{Baseball primary style|Tampa Bay Rays}}; padding-right:3px; padding-left:3px; font-size:110%; text-align:center;" | Rays Home Attendance at Tropicana Field
!League!!Date/Season!!Team(s)!!Type
|- style="font-size:95%; text-align:center"
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}}" | Season || style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}}"| {{abbr|Attendance|Total cumulative attendance per season}} || style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}}" | {{abbr|Avg./Game|Average attendance per game}} || style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}}" | {{abbr|Rank|Rank out of American League teams}}
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[1998 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|1998]]
| 2,506,293
| 30,942
| 7th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[1999 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|1999]]
| 1,562,827
| 19,294
| 10th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2000 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2000]]
| 1,449,673
| 18,121
| 13th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2001 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2001]]
| 1,298,365
| 16,029
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2002 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2002]]
| 1,065,742
| 13,157
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2003 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2003]]
| 1,058,695
| 13,070
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2004 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2004]]
| 1,274,911
| 15,936
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2005 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2005]]
| 1,141,669
| 14,095
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2006]]
| 1,368,950
| 16,901
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|2007]]
| 1,387,603
| 17,131
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2008 Tampa Bay Rays season|2008]]
| 1,811,986
| 22,370
| 12th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2009 Tampa Bay Rays season|2009]]
| 1,874,962
| 23,148
| 11th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2010 Tampa Bay Rays season|2010]]
| 1,864,999
| 23,025
| 9th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2011 Tampa Bay Rays season|2011]]
| 1,529,188
| 18,879
| 13th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2012 Tampa Bay Rays season|2012]]
| 1,559,681
| 19,255
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2013 Tampa Bay Rays season|2013]]
| 1,510,300
| 18,646
| 15th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2014 Tampa Bay Rays season|2014]]
| 1,446,464
| 17,858
| 14th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2015 Tampa Bay Rays season|2015]]
| 1,287,054
| 15,322
| 15th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2016 Tampa Bay Rays season|2016]]
| 1,286,163
| 15,879
| 15th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2017 Tampa Bay Rays season|2017]]
| 1,253,619
| 15,477
| 15th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2018 Tampa Bay Rays season|2018]]
| 1,154,973
| 14,259
| 15th
|- style="text-align:center"
| [[2019 Tampa Bay Rays season|2019]]
| 1,178,735
| 14,552
| 15th
|-
|-
|colspan=4 style="border-top:1px solid black; font-size:85%; text-align:left" | Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=Tampa Bay Rays Attendance|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/attend.shtml|publisher=Baseball-Reference|accessdate=2015-08-12}}</ref>
| rowspan=7| [[Major League Baseball]]
|}
| data-sort-value="July 1, 1999"|1999
 
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]]
Seating at Tropicana Field is arranged with odd sections on the third base side and even sections on the first base side. The hallway behind sections 133-149 is nicknamed "Left Field Street." The hallway behind sections 136-150 is nicknamed "Right Field Street." The 100-level seating wraps around the entire field with a 360° walkway. Behind the stadium's batter's eye is a center field common area, known as The Porch, which provides fans with open seating and standing room to watch games. The Porch, along with other facility improvements, was part of a multimillion-dollar renovation project that was completed before the start of the 2014 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/tampa-bay-rays-unveil-new-360-degree-walkway-around-tropicana-field/2172378|title=Tampa Bay Rays unveil new 360-degree walkway around Tropicana Field|website=Tampa Bay Times|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref> Loge boxes are featured along the infield of the 100-level from foul pole to foul pole. 200-level seating features 20 sections along the foul lines, broken by the press box behind home plate, with the luxury boxes directly behind and above them. 300-level seating wraps around the infield along the lines, and also features the "[[tbt*]] Party Deck", a small-capacity seating area above the left field outfield seats with separate concessions inside. Rows are lettered starting closest to home plate and rise further away. Seats are numbered starting at the left side of the section.
| [[1999 Tampa Bay Devil Rays program|Program]]
 
There are a total of 70 luxury suites. 48 are accessible from the 200-level, while the other 15 are located on the 100-level.
 
There are a total of 2,776 club seats at Tropicana Field. The Dex Imaging Home Plate Club features its own entrance, recliner seats, and a premium buffet with in-seat service. The second club section, the Rays Club, is along the first-base side on the 100-level at the Loge Box level. It features its own premium buffet and premium seating.
 
MacDillville is a section located on the right field line, behind the Rays' bullpen. The section is reserved for the 24 tickets that the Rays provide to personnel returning from deployment, families of deployed personnel and staff assigned to MacDill Air Force Base.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/community/community_player_programs.jsp|title=Community Player Programs|website=Tampa Bay Rays|language=en|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref>
 
Field-level party sections were installed in the corners in 2006. The left field party section is available for groups of 75-136 people and now named the "Ducky's 162 Landing". The section was named "162 Landing", in reference to [[Evan Longoria]]'s [[walk-off home run]] in the 162nd and final regular season game of the {{mlby|2011}} season that landed in that section, which clinched the [[American League]] [[Major League Baseball wild card|wild card]] for the Rays. In 2017 the section was renamed after the Tampa sports bar, "Ducky's" that is featured in The Porch, and co-owned by [[Evan Longoria]]. The right field party section is the "[[Papa John's]] Bullpen Box" and is available for groups of 50-85. When the right field corner was sponsored by the fast food chain [[Checkers (fast food)|Checkers]], tickets to the "Checkers Bullpen Cafe" included a free meal at the Checkers kiosk immediately adjacent to the section. As of 2008, both party sections feature [[All-you-can-eat seats (baseball)|all-you-can-eat]] [[buffet]]s.
 
In 2008, the Rays also set aside a section of the press boxes on the right field side, named "Press Level Party Area", as an all-you-can-eat buffet section with typical ballpark fare. It is usually available for group parties of at least 35, but it is available for individual ticketing on select dates.
 
Currently, the top ⅓ of the upper deck seating is tarped over, artificially reducing the stadium's capacity to 36,048 for the 2008 regular season. It was further reduced to 35,041 for the 2008 postseason since the tbt* Party Deck has been reserved by Major League Baseball as an auxiliary press area. On October 14, 2008, the Rays announced that the upper deck tarps would be removed for the remainder of the postseason, starting with a Game 6 of the [[2008 American League Championship Series]]. This increased the capacity of the stadium to nearly 41,000, depending on standing-room-only tickets sold.<ref>[http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_10_18_bosmlb_tbamlb_1&mode=wrap ALCS Game 6] had an announced attendance of 40,947, while [http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_10_19_bosmlb_tbamlb_1&mode=wrap Game 7] had an announced attendance of 40,473.</ref>
 
The St. Anthony's Fan Care Clinic is located between Gates 3 and 4 on the 100 level, section 102 (behind home plate). St. Anthony's Health Medical Team staffs the clinic and offers first aid services to fans.<ref name="Tropicana Field A-to-Z Guide">{{Cite web|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=ballpark_guide|title=Tropicana Field A-to-Z Guide|website=Tampa Bay Rays|language=en|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> A Baby Care Suite is located on the 300 level near section 300. It features baby changing stations and private nursing suites.
 
Located throughout the first floor walkway are multiple apparel and gear stores, and interactive experiences for fans.
 
One of the team's two main apparel stores is located in the stadium, near gate 1. The other main store, The Tampa Pro Shop & Ticket Outlet, is located in Tampa. Many specialty, smaller, stores are located throughout the stadium, including a "Game-Used Merchandise" store located in Center Field Street.<ref name="Tropicana Field A-to-Z Guide"/>
 
Interactive experiences include:
* '''Grand Slam Alley''': an arcade-style area sponsored by [[GameWorks|GameTime]], located behind section 133, free on Sundays
* '''Topps''': fans can have their picture put on a Rays baseball card, located in Left Field, free on Sundays
* '''Home Run Derby / Speed Pitch:''' a hitting and pitching simulator, located behind section 134, free on Sundays
* '''Raymond's Art Studio''': An art studio featuring either coloring pages or crafts, and a blackboard wall (for fans 14 and under), located in Right Field Street near Gate 1 (Free)
* '''Interactive Playground''': A virtual interactive que of games that cycle every three minutes, located between Raymond's Art Studio and the Rays Touch Tank (Free)
 
===The Rays Touch Tank===
Just over the right-center field fence is the Rays Touch Tank. This {{convert|35|foot|adj=on}}, {{convert|10,000|USgal}} tank is filled with three different species of rays, including [[cownose ray]]s that were taken from Tampa Bay waters. The tank is one of the 10 biggest in the nation. Admission to the tank area is free for all fans attending home games, but there is a limit of 40 people in the area at any given time. The tank is open to fans about twenty minutes after the gates open and closes to the public two hours after the first pitch. Fans get to see the rays up close and get to learn educational info about them.
 
The tank and rays are sponsored and maintained by the [[Florida Aquarium]], and educates people about rays and other aquatic life.
 
For every ball hit into the tank during a game by a Rays player, the Rays will donate $5,000 to charity with $2,500 going to the Florida Aquarium and $2,500 going to that player's charity of choice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/rays_tank.jsp|title=Rays Tank|website=Tampa Bay Rays|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref> To date, only seven players have hit a home run that landed in the tank.
 
{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" style="{{Baseball primary style|Tampa Bay Rays}};"|Touch Tank Home Runs
|-
|-
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}};"|Hitter
| data-sort-value="May 1, 2000"|2000
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}};"|Team
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]]
! style="{{Baseball secondary style|Tampa Bay Rays}};"|Date
| [https://www.sportspaper.info/baseball/mlb/seasons/2000/tampa-bay-devil-rays-program_2000.html Program]
|-
|-
| [[Luis Gonzalez (outfielder)|Luis Gonzalez]]
| rowspan=3| 2008
| [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] || June 24, 2007<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070624&content_id=2046331&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=la|title=Gonzalez homers, but Dodgers sink|website=Los Angeles Dodgers|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] vs. [[Chicago White Sox]]
| [https://www.sportspaper.info/baseball/mlb/seasons/2008/tampa-bay-rays-alds-program_2008.html ALDS Program]
|-
|-
| [[Miguel Cabrera]]
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] vs. [[Boston Red Sox]]
| [[Detroit Tigers]] || June 30, 2013<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wapc.mlb.com/play/?c_id=det&content_id=28480175&partnerId=as_mlb_20130630_9342814 |title=Video: DET@TB: Miggy's solo homer ties the game in fourth |publisher=Wapc.mlb.com |date= |accessdate=September 23, 2013}}</ref>
| [[2008 ALCS program (Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox)|ALCS Program]]
|-
|-
| [[José Lobatón]]*
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] vs. [[Philadelphia Phillies]]
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] || [[2013 American League Division Series#Game 3, October 7|October 7, 2013]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2013-10-07/red-sox-rays-score-walkoff-jose-lobaton-home-run-results-highlights-alds-playoffs-cobb|title=Rays stay alive, beat Red Sox on Jose Lobaton walk-off home ru|website=Sporting News|accessdate=October 21, 2013}}</ref>
| [https://www.sportspaper.info/baseball/mlb/seasons/2008/world-series-program_2008.html World Series Program]
|-
|-
| [[Nelson Cruz]]
| data-sort-value="October 6, 2010"|2010
| [[Seattle Mariners]] || May 27, 2015<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/126956024/felix-hernandez-bests-chris-archer-with-four-hit-shutout|title=Felix Hernandez bests Chris Archer with four-hit shutout|website=Seattle Mariners|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] vs. [[Texas Rangers]]
| [https://www.sportspaper.info/baseball/mlb/seasons/2010/tampa-bay-rays-alds-program_2010.html ALDS Program]
|-
|-
| [[Brad Miller (baseball)|Brad Miller]]
| data-sort-value="October 3, 2011"|2011
| Tampa Bay Rays || July 31, 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2016/07/31/192859590|title=Brad Miller homers into the Tropicana Field Touch Tank and sets a record in the process|website=MLB.com|first=Ben|last=Cosman|accessdate=February 11, 2017}}</ref>
| [[Tampa Bay Rays]] vs. [[Texas Rangers]]
| [https://www.sportspaper.info/baseball/mlb/seasons/2011/tampa-bay-rays-alds-program_2011.html ALDS Program]
|-
|-
| [[Robbie Grossman]]
| rowspan=2| [[College Football]]
| [[Minnesota Twins]] || September 5, 2017<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/video/grossmans-solo-splashdown/c-1813996983|title=Grossman's solo splashdown|website=MLB.com|access-date=2017-09-05}}</ref>
| [[2012 college football season|December 21, 2012]]
| [[Ball State Cardinals]] vs. [[UCF Knights]]
| [https://www.sportspaper.info/football/ncaaf/bowls/other/2012-beef-o-bradys-bowl.html 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Program]
|-
|-
| [[Kole Calhoun]]
| [[2017 college football season|January 20, 2018]]
| [[Los Angeles Angels]] || August 1, 2018<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bg3Y2TpTKUU|title=Adames, Bauers power Rays to 7-2 home victory|website=Youtube.com|access-date=2018-08-02}}</ref>
| East-West Shrine Game
| [[2018 East-West Shrine Game|Program]]
|}
|}


<nowiki>*</nowiki> Denotes [[walk-off home run]].
{{Infobox portal venue}}
 
{{MLB}}
===Concessions===
Behind center field on the stadium's ground level near the main rotunda entrance is a large, brewpub-style bar & grill called Everglades Brewhouse. The restaurant serves several craft beers in addition to having a full liquor bar and opens two hours before first pitch. A "Fan vs. Food" challenge at Everglades was introduced in 2014, which consists of eating a {{convert|4|lbs|adj=on}} burger and a pound of french fries in under 30 minutes to win two future Rays game tickets and a T-shirt.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/rays-unveil-4-pound-fan-vs-food-burger-at-tropicana-field-032814|title=Rays unveil 4-pound 'Fan vs. Food' burger at Tropicana Field|last=Astleford|first=Andrew|website=FOX Sports|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
 
The [[Cuesta-Rey]] Cigar Bar is located upstairs from Everglades Brewhouse, accessible by escalator, and across from The Porch in center field, offering a large selection of [[cigar]]s, many produced by a company founded in Tampa. The lounge also features a regular bar, open seating with leather upholstery, and a large screen T.V. It is the only indoor location at Tropicana Field where smoking is permitted.
 
Concessions in Center Field Street include the Everglades Brewhouse, the Taco Bus, the Wine Cellar, The Carvery and Pipo's. The First Base Food Court features Papa John's Pizza, Fish Shack, Everglades BBQ, and a full service liquor bar. The Third Base Food Court features Papa John's Pizza, and gluten free classics. In Right Field Street there is Bay Grill and the Craft Beer Corner featuring many local craft brewery's including Big Storm Brewing, Cigar City, Green Bench, Sea Dog and 3 Daughters. Green Bench Brewing offers a special edition brew just for the Rays called 2-Seam Blonde Ale.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/food/dining/rays-add-pipos-green-bench-craft-beer-and-longorias-duckys-to-tropicana/2271170|title=Rays add Pipo's, Green Bench craft beer and Longoria's Ducky's to Tropicana Field menu|website=Tampa Bay Times|language=en-us|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref>
 
In addition to a variety of concessions, with vendors ranging from Cuban sandwich burgers to grilled sausages, there are also concession stands for [[Outback Steakhouse]] and [[Papa John's Pizza]]. Outback is a Tampa Bay-based establishment. To compete with established stadiums' [[hot dog]] traditions, the Trop introduced the "Sting 'Em" Dog in 2007. This consists of a regular hot dog topped with chili and cheese.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/04/11/Taste/Hot_diggity_dogs.shtml|title=Taste: Hot diggity dogs|website=www.sptimes.com|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref> It was renamed "The Heater" in 2008.
 
A concession stand in center field features gluten free versions of classic ballpark food, including hot dogs, pretzels, and beer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/gluten-free-franks-huge-burger-await-rays-fans-b82472385z1|title=Gluten-free franks, huge burger await Rays fans|website=TBO.com|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
 
===Ted Williams Museum/Hitters Hall of Fame===
:''For list of inductees and recipients of various awards, see footnote''<ref>{{cite web |title=Ted Williams Museum Inductees to Date|publisher=Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame official website|url=http://www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com/inductees/index.html|accessdate=October 31, 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame]]
 
The '''[[Ted Williams]] Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame'''<ref>{{cite web |title=Home page|publisher=Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame official website|url=http://www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com/|accessdate=October 30, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Contact Us|publisher=Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame official website|url=http://www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com/contactus/|accessdate=October 30, 2011}}</ref> opened in February 1994,<ref name=AboutTheMuseum>{{cite web |title=About the Museum|publisher=Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame official website|url=http://www.tedwilliamsmuseum.com/aboutus/|accessdate=October 30, 2011}}</ref> in [[Hernando, Florida]],<ref name=VideoTour>Video tour of the museum and hall of fame. {{cite web |title=Inside the Rays: Odd Jobs|publisher=FOX Sports Interactive Media, LLC|work=[[Fox Sports Florida]]|url=http://www.foxsportsflorida.com/pages/video?UUID=06adb9f6-7b8c-44a9-9694-035690f89897&src=SLPl:share:sharepermalink:uuids&from=sharepermalink|accessdate=October 30, 2011}}</ref> in Citrus County—just a few blocks from the place where Williams lived in his later years.<ref name=AboutTheMuseum/>
 
In 2006, the museum and [[hall of fame]] were moved to Tropicana Field after its original facility in Hernando went bankrupt. A new {{convert|7000|sqft|m2|adj=on}} upstairs wing was opened in 2007, which now houses the exhibits on Ted Williams' careers with the [[Boston Red Sox]] and with the [[United States Marine Corps]]<ref name=VideoTour/><ref>''See also:'' [[United States Navy Baseball#History]].</ref> during World War II and the [[Korean War]], as well as the monuments to the members of the Hitters Hall of Fame complete with memorabilia, with donated authentic memorabilia wherever possible and many of Williams' own personal mementos from his career and post-playing life. Williams did not induct himself into his own Hitters Hall of Fame, and was inducted in 2003 only after he died.
 
The museum also includes a "Pitching Wall of Great Achievement",<ref name=VideoTour/> the [[Negro Leagues]] wing<ref name=VideoTour/>—including an exhibit about [[John Jordan "Buck" O'Neil]] (a "son" of [[Sarasota, Florida|Sarasota]])<ref name=VideoTour/>—the [[500 home run club|"500 Homerun Club"]] exhibit,<ref name=VideoTour/> and exhibits about other topics, including the [[All-American Girls Professional Baseball League]]<ref name=VideoTour/> and the Tampa Bay Rays.<ref name=VideoTour/> The museum often hosts autograph signings and charity auctions during or before games.
 
The museum is open during game days, opening at the same time as the park and closing after the 7th inning with the concession stands. Admission is free, and the museum is open to all ticketholders.<ref name=AboutTheMuseum/><ref name=VideoTour/> In 2012, the museum is open until the 9th inning, but still open only on game days. As of the last week of the 2012 season the museum was back to closing by the 7th inning (beginning of, not after the 7th inning) and the open only on game days policy is still in effect.
 
==Notable events==
 
===Basketball===
In 1998, Tropicana Field was a regional final site for the [[1998 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament|NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament]]. A year later the stadium played host to the [[1999 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament|1999 Final Four]] which saw the [[1998–99 Connecticut Huskies men's basketball team|Connecticut Huskies]] beat the [[1998–99 Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team|Duke Blue Devils]] 77&ndash;74 for the championship. Subsequently, no other NCAA men's basketball game has been played at Tropicana Field.
 
===Football===
[[ArenaBowl IX]] was held at the venue in 1995.
 
In 2008, the [[NCAA]] announced that Tropicana Field would be host to a postseason college [[bowl game]], bringing football to the dome.<ref>[http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article481562.ece "NCAA approves St. Petersburg Bowl"] from ''[[St. Petersburg Times]]'', May 1, 2008. Retrieved November 23, 2008.</ref> The game, initially called the [[St. Petersburg Bowl]] for two playings (2008–2009), was known as the [[Beef 'O' Brady's]] Bowl for four playings (2010–2013), reverted to its original name for three playings (2014–2016), and in 2017 was renamed the [[Gasparilla Bowl]]. However, in 2018, the owners stated that the bowl had been moved to [[Raymond James Stadium]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tampabay.com/sports/2018/05/23/gasparilla-bowl-moving-from-tropicana-field-to-raymond-james-stadium/|title=Gasparilla Bowl moving from Tropicana Field to Raymond James Stadium|date=2018-05-23|access-date=2018-05-27}}</ref>
 
The Trop returned to a football configuration on October 30, 2009, to host one of the three home games of the [[Florida Tuskers]] of the [[United Football League (2009)|United Football League]], which the Rays had invested in.<ref>{{cite web|author=Gary Shelton |url=http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/the-tampa-bay-rays-investment-in-the-florida-tuskers-of-the-united/1027214 |title=The Tampa Bay Rays' investment in the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League prompts unfounded paranoia |publisher=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |date= |accessdate=September 23, 2013}}</ref>
 
The [[East–West Shrine Game]], a postseason college football all-star game played annually since 1925, has been played at Tropicana Field since 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.shrinegame.com/PressRoom/EWGameMovingtoStPete.aspx |title=East–West Shrine Game Moving to St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field |work=[[East–West Shrine Game]] |date=April 27, 2011 |accessdate=January 18, 2013}}</ref>
 
===Motorsports===
The [[World of Outlaws|World of Outlaws Sprint Cars]] raced at the Suncoast Dome on February 7–9, 1992 as a part of Florida Speedweeks with several tracks hosting events during the month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2002&dat=20000523&id=qx9WAAAAIBAJ&pg=2698,5058252&hl=en|title=Build It|work=Beaver County Times|via=Google News Archive Search|date=2000-05-23|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref>
 
An [[Sports Car Club of America|SCCA]] [[Trans-Am Series]] [[Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg|race]] was held from 1996 to 1997 on a [[Street circuit|temporary course]] encompassing the parking lot and surrounding streets.
 
===Concerts===
Tropicana Field has hosted many concerts over the years; one of the first large events upon its completion was a concert by [[Don Henley]] on June 29, 1990.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/322385135/|title=Tampa Bay Times from St. Petersburg, Florida on April 2, 1990|work=Tampa Bay Times|page=41|accessdate=February 25, 2018}}</ref> Many well-known artists have held concerts at the venue, including [[Eric Clapton]] (twice), [[David Bowie]], [[Janet Jackson]] (twice), [[Steely Dan]], [[AC/DC]] (twice), [[Guns N' Roses]], [[Billy Joel]] (twice), [[Robert Plant]], [[Rush (band)|Rush]] (twice), [[R.E.M.]], the [[Eagles (band)|Eagles]], [[Depeche Mode]], [[Rod Stewart]], [[Kiss (band)|Kiss]], and [[Van Halen]] (twice), among others.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.setlist.fm/search?page=3&query=Suncoast+Dome,+St.+Petersburg|title=Thunderdome, St. Petersburg |website=Setlist.f |date=1995 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.setlist.fm/search?page=2&query=Thunderdome,+St.+Petersburg |title=Suncoast Dome, St. Petersburg |website= Setlist.fm |date=1990}}</ref> The venue's largest concert attendance was for the [[boy band]] [[New Kids on the Block]] in August 1990.
 
The number of large concerts at Tropicana Field has decreased considerably since the (Devil) Rays were established in 1998, as the club's 81-game home schedule makes scheduling difficult, especially during the summer concert season. Also, the development in nearby Tampa of [[Amalie Arena]] (opened in 1996)  and the [[MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre]] (opened in 2004) into busy concert venues has further curtailed the concert slate at Tropicana Field.<ref  name="nomore"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Gurbal Kritzer|first1=Ashley|title=Amalie Arena ranks among top venues across the globe for concert and event ticket sales|url=https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/news/2017/08/03/amalie-arena-ranks-among-top-venues-across-the.html|accessdate=9 April 2018|work=www.bizjournals.com|publisher=Tampa Bay Business Journal|date=3 August 2017}}</ref>
 
====Rays Summer Concert Series====
Beginning in 2007, the Rays organized a "Summer Concert Series" in which a mix of major and lesser-known performers of many different musical genres performed after select home games for no extra charge beyond the price of the game ticket. The concerts were usually scheduled after Friday or Saturday night games, with more kid-oriented acts performing after Sunday afternoon games. The usual procedure was for a portable stage to be rolled out onto centerfield immediately after the final out of the ballgame, with the music starting soon thereafter. For most shows, fans were allowed to come down onto the playing field to  watch the performance up close.
 
The first after-baseball concert featured nostalgia act [[Sha Na Na]] in June 2007. The event was so successful that the Rays booked a series of shows for the following season, usually increasing attendance for those games. Participating artists have included [[The Beach Boys]], [[Los Lobos]], [[LL Cool J]], [[Sister Hazel]], [[Kacey Musgraves]], [[The Jacksons]], [[REO Speedwagon]], [[ZZ Top]], [[Weezer]], [[Kenny Loggins]], [[Avril Lavigne]], [[Joan Jett]], and [[The Wiggles]] among many others, totaling over 80 shows in all.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tbnweekly.com/diversions/music/rays-announce-summer-concert-series/article_86718527-401b-5160-bbd0-ca4a14ec6072.html|title=Rays announce summer concert series|website=Tampa Bay Newspapers |author1= |date=20 March 2011 |accessdate=25 February 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/music/rays-concert-series-brings-life-and-a-few-extra-fans-to-the-trop/2238141|title=Rays concert series brings life, and a few extra fans, to the Trop|author1=Cridlin, Jay  |date=21 July 2015|website=Tampa Bay Times|accessdate=25 February 2018}}</ref><ref name="Sister_Hazel_2015">{{cite web |title=Rays Add Sister Hazel to 2015 Summer Concert Series |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-add-sister-hazel-to-2015-summer-concert-series/c-133010250 |website=MLB News |date=26 June 2015}}</ref>
 
In some seasons, the number of post-game concerts was as high as a dozen. The number dwindled to two in 2017, and before the 2018 season, the Rays announced that they would discontinue the concert series due to "stress on the artificial turf".<ref name="nomore">{{cite news|last1=Cridlin|first1=Jay|title=Rays: No postgame concerts at Tropicana Field in 2018|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/soundcheck/2018/03/28/rays-no-postgame-concerts-at-tropicana-field-in-2018/|accessdate=28 March 2018|work=tampabay.com|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|date=28 March 2018}}</ref>
 
==Criticisms==
 
===Catwalks===
Among the most cited criticisms about the stadium are the four [[catwalk (theater)|catwalk]]s that hang from the ceiling. The catwalks are part of the dome's support structure. The stadium was built with [[cable-stayed]] technology similar to that of the defunct [[Georgia Dome]]. It also supports the lighting and speaker systems. Because the dome is tilted toward the outfield, the catwalks are lower in the outfield.
 
[[Image:Tropicana Field Catwalks.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The catwalks at Tropicana Field]]
[[File:Tropicanafieldceiling.jpg|thumb|200px|Close-up view of the A, B, and C rings]]
 
The catwalks are lettered, with the highest inner ring being the A Ring, out to the farthest and lowest, the D Ring. The A Ring is entirely in play, while the B, C, and D Rings have yellow posts bolted to them to delineate the relative position of the foul lines. Any ball touching the A Ring, or the in-play portion of the B Ring, can drop for a hit or be caught for an out. The C and D Rings are out of play; if they are struck between the foul poles, then the ball is ruled a [[home run]].
 
On August 5, 2010, [[Jason Kubel]] of the [[Minnesota Twins]] hit a sky-high infield pop-up that would have ended the inning in a 6–6 game if caught, but the ball struck the A ring and fell safely onto the infield allowing the Twins to score the go-ahead run and extend the inning in a controversial 8–6 win.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/dome-clanking-popup-leaves-rays-in-dumps/1113453|title=Dome-Clanking Popup Leaves Rays in Dumps|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=August 5, 2010|accessdate=August 22, 2010}}</ref> As a result, on October 4, 2010, Major League Baseball approved a change in the ground rules for the A and B rings, making it so that a batted ball striking either of the two rings was automatically ruled a dead ball, regardless of whether the ball strikes in fair or foul territory. The rules pertaining to the C and D rings remained the same.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/catwalk-rules-changed-postseason|title=Catwalk Rules Changed for Postseason|first=Marc|last=Topkin|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|date=October 4, 2010|accessdate=October 4, 2010}}</ref> This change lasted for just the [[2010 MLB season|2010 postseason]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110315&content_id=16956182|title=Ground rules changed at the Trop for 2011|first=Bill|last=Chastain|work=MLB.com|date=March 15, 2011|accessdate=March 19, 2011}}</ref>
 
On the other hand, several potential hits have been lost as a result of the catwalks. For example, on May 12, 2006, [[2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season|Devil Rays]] outfielder [[Jonny Gomes]] hit a long fly ball against the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] that seemed destined to be a home run before it hit the B ring, got stuck momentarily, and then rolled off and was caught by Toronto shortstop [[John McDonald (infielder)|John McDonald]] as Gomes was headed for home plate. Although Rays [[manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Joe Maddon]] tried to argue that it should have been at least a [[ground rule double]] since it stayed in the B Ring for a while before coming loose, umpires eventually ruled against the Rays and called Gomes out.
 
On May 26, 2008, [[Carlos Peña]] hit a pop-fly to center field that likely would have been caught by [[2008 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] center fielder [[Josh Hamilton]]. The ball instead hit the B ring catwalk and did not come down. Peña was mistakenly given a home run, but after deliberation, the umpires awarded him a [[ground rule double]]. This was the second time this had happened, as [[José Canseco]] hit a ball that stuck in the same catwalk on May 2, 1999.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080527/SPORTS/805270587/1011/|title=Ace Leads Tampa Bay to the Best Record in the Majors|newspaper=[[Sarasota Herald-Tribune]]|last=Maffezzoli|first=Dennis|date=May 27, 2008|accessdate=June 8, 2008}}</ref>
 
Many players have hit the C and D rings for home runs. The first player ever to hit the rings for a home run was [[Edgar Martínez]] of the [[1998 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]] on May 29, 1998. Martinez's home run went off the D ring. Three players before him hit balls that went into the C ring. However, at the time, balls hitting the C ring were not ruled home runs. Two days prior to Martinez's home run, the ground rules were changed so that if a ball hit the C ring, it would be called a home run.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9404E6DC1138F93AA15756C0A96E958260&sec=&spon=|title=AMERICAN LEAGUE: ROUNDUP; Wind Blows The Indians' Direction|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=May 29, 1998|accessdate=January 24, 2009}}</ref> The first player to hit the rings for a home run in postseason play was [[2008 Tampa Bay Rays season|Rays]] [[third baseman]] [[Evan Longoria]], who hit the C ring off [[Javier Vázquez (baseball)|Javier Vázquez]] of the [[2008 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] on October 2, 2008, in the 3rd inning of Game 1 of the [[2008 American League Division Series]].
 
On July 17, 2011, during a nationally televised game against the Red Sox, Rays batter [[Sean Rodriguez]] hit a high foul popup that shattered a lightbulb on a catwalk. Pieces of the broken bulb fell to the turf near the third base coach's box. After a quick cleaning delay in which the Tropicana Field PA system played the theme to [[The Natural (film)|''The Natural'']] (a 1984 film that prominently features a hit baseball striking and shattering a stadium light fixture), the game resumed.
 
Another ceiling-related incident came in June 2018, when New York Yankees outfielder [[Clint Frazier]]'s 9th-inning fly ball bounced off a speaker hanging from the B ring and was caught by Rays shortstop [[Adeiny Hechavarria]] for an out. Some suggest that the ball would have traveled far enough for a home run, which would have broken a 6–6 tie. The Rays won the game in extra innings with a walk-off home run.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/2018/06/24/rodney-pages-takeaways-from-sundays-rays-yankees-game/|title=Rodney Page's takeaways from Sunday's Rays-Yankees game|last=Page|first=Rodney|date=June 24, 2018|work=tampabay.com|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|accessdate=June 25, 2018}}</ref>
 
===Bullpens===
The bullpens are located along (and close to) the left and right field foul lines and there are no barriers that separate them from the field of play. In fact, fly balls hit into the bullpens are in play. The bullpen players and the pitching mounds are obstacles for fielders chasing fly balls into the pen. Teams have to station a [[batboy]] behind the catchers in the bullpens to prevent them from being hit by foul balls from behind. This style of bullpen used to be common in the Major Leagues, and is still in use in 2 other stadiums.
 
===Interior===
Another criticism of the stadium is the drab interior environment, especially early in the (Devil) Rays' existence, when the stark concrete interior was compared to a large [[warehouse]]. However, since it was designed specifically for baseball, it is somewhat smaller and the sightlines are better than in most domed stadiums, which are often built to accommodate other sports as well.
 
The current Rays' Stuart Sternberg-led ownership group has invested several million dollars over the past decade to make the venue more fan friendly. New or improved features include a larger scoreboard, video wall, catwalk sleeves, an outfield touch-tank featuring [[cownose ray]]s, a walk-around that circles the entire field, two concession and gathering areas in the outfield, and many other additions and upgrades designed to improve the fan experience.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sptimes.com/2007/05/09/Tampabay/No_stadium_in_on_deck.shtml|title=Tampabay: No stadium in on-deck circle|website=www.sptimes.com|access-date=2016-06-08}}</ref><ref name="improvements2014">{{cite web | url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/tampa-bay-rays-unveil-new-360-degree-walkway-around-tropicana-field/2172378 | title=Tampa Bay Rays unveil new 360-degree walkway around Tropicana Field | work=Tampa Bay Times | date=28 March 2014 | accessdate=9 June 2016 | author=Krueger, Curtis}}</ref>
 
===Location===
Tropicana Field sits on {{convert|66|acre}} in the Midtown community of St. Petersburg, Florida. The land the stadium and its parking lots now occupy was occupied by the Gas Plant neighborhood from the late 1800s until 1986.
 
In the late 1800s St. Petersburg began a large recruitment initiative to attract people to help build the city's infrastructures and fill lower-income service jobs. African Americans began to move to St. Petersburg from across the south looking to fill these jobs. The influx of African Americans in the area brought the formation of many black communities including the Gas Plant district. The area housed nearly 800 people,<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cltampa.com/home/article/20721576/build-a-stadium-raze-a-neighborhood|title=Build a Stadium, Raze a Neighborhood|work=Creative Loafing: Tampa Bay|access-date=2017-04-26|language=en}}</ref> many African American-owned small businesses and three African American churches. The district's name came from the two fuel tanks that originally stood where Tropicana Field now stands.
 
In 1979 the St. Petersburg City Council voted to refurbish the neighborhood, as it had "seen better days."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://faculty.usfsp.edu/jsokolov/mclin/harper.html|title=Around the dome, echoes of the past|last=Lavin|first=Rochelle Lewis|website=faculty.usfsp.edu|access-date=2017-04-26}}</ref> This plan promised to create new, modern, affordable housing and an industrial park that would bring many new jobs to the area. By 1982 developers offered no proposals for the refurbishment of the district to the city council, even after the council specifically requested the proposals. A group of Pinellas County business people offered a plan to the council that entailed building a baseball stadium, in hopes of attracting a major league baseball team to the area.  That year, the council voted unanimously to follow through with the baseball hopes and lease the land to the sports authority for $1 a year.
 
Most African Americans that used to live and or work in the neighborhood felt betrayed by the city and bitter over the baseball development. The city had offered, and followed through with, many reparation programs for the residents and businesses of the Gas Plant district when the district was originally to be refurbished, including financial relocation help. But these programs were welcomed only on the basis that the area would be once again a functional community. When that stipulation changed residents were angered and new reparation plans were rumored but never came to fruition. As for the churches of the area, relocation offers extended to them from the City Council were "generous" according to one of the churches pastors. This is believed to be because of the political power that the churches held.<ref name=":0" />
 
The destruction of the Gas Plant district and the city's shortcomings in securing economic and employment opportunities for the displaced African American community have left a jagged relationship between city officials and the aforementioned African American community. The destruction of the Gas Plant district financially crippled and killed many African American-owned small businesses and is often referred to as the main reason that only 10% of St. Petersburg's small businesses are African American-owned today.
 
The dome was built on the former site of a [[coal]] [[gasification]] plant and, in 1987, hazardous chemicals were found in the soil around the construction site. The city spent millions of dollars to remove the chemicals from the area.<ref name="Dirt">{{cite news |title=St. Pete Ballpark Opponents Hope Dirt Contaminates Plan |url=http://ttt-suweb.newscyclecloud.com/article/20080326/ARTICLE/303269991 |accessdate=8 October 2019 |work=The Suncoast News |date=26 March 2008 |quote=The site received a $7 million cleanup before the domed stadium was built in the late 1980s. More contaminated dirt was removed when the stadium underwent renovation for the arrival of Major League Baseball in 1998.}}</ref>
 
It is often criticized as being located away from the [[Tampa Bay Area|Tampa Bay area's]] largest population base in [[Tampa]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/oct/01/na-rays-style-a-fan-base/sports-rays/|title=Rays Style A Fan Base|newspaper=[[The Tampa Tribune]]|date=October 1, 2008|accessdate=August 22, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/article1005910.ece|title=No Ideal Site in Mid Pinellas Stadium for Tampa Bay Rays|newspaper=[[St. Petersburg Times]]|accessdate=August 22, 2010}}</ref>
 
==See also==
*[[Amalie Arena]], home of the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] and former home of the defunct [[Tampa Bay Storm]].
*[[Raymond James Stadium]], home of the [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] and the [[South Florida Bulls football|South Florida Bulls]] football team.
*[[Ybor Stadium]], the latest proposed new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays, announced on July 10, 2018.
*[[Rays Ballpark]], a former proposed new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays that has since been abandoned.
*[[Rays Park at Carillon]], a second former proposed stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays that was abandoned in mid-2015.
*[[Charlotte Sports Park]], the [[spring training]] home of the Tampa Bay Rays, located in Port Charlotte, Florida.
 
== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}
 
=== Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite news |title = A Dome Fit for Expansion?|first=Michael |last = Martínez |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=March 5, 1990 |url = https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/05/sports/a-dome-fit-for-expansion.html?pagewanted=1 }}
*{{cite journal|last1=Choi|first1=Andrew|last2=Park|first2=Roger|title=Visual Signs/Logo-Identity in the Major League Baseball Facility: Case Study of Tropicana Field.|journal=International Journal of Applied Sports Sciences|year=2011|volume=23|issue=1|pages=251–270 |doi=10.24985/ijass.2011.23.1.251|doi-access=free}}
*{{cite web|last=Chopra|first=Sonia|title=Where to Eat at Tropicana Field, Home of the Tampa Bay Rays|url=http://www.eater.com/2015/4/3/8316777/tropicana-field-best-food-tampa-bay-rays-stadium|website=Where to Eat at Tropicana Field, Home of the Tampa Bay Rays|publisher=Vox Media|access-date=28 April 2016|date=3 April 2015}}
{{refend}}
 
==External links==
{{Commons category|Tropicana Field}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090216195035/http://ballparkdigest.com/visits/index.html?article_id=751 Ballpark Digest review of Tropicana Field]
*[http://tampabay.rays.mlb.com/tb/ballpark/ Stadium site on raysbaseball.com]
*[http://seatingchartview.com/tropicana-field/ Tropicana Field Seating Chart]
 
{{S-start-collapsible|header={{S-sta|et}}}}
{{Succession box
| title = Home of the<br>[[Tampa Bay Rays]]
| years = 1998–present
| before = first ballpark
| after = current
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Home of the<br>[[Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl]]
| years = 2008–present
| before = first venue
| after = current
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Home of the<br>[[Tampa Bay Lightning]]
| years = 1993–1996
| before = [[Expo Hall]]
| after = [[Ice Palace (Tampa arena)|Ice Palace]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title = Home of the<br>[[Tampa Bay Storm]]
| years = 1991–1996
| before = [[Civic Arena (Pittsburgh)|Pittsburgh Civic Arena]]
| after = [[Ice Palace (Tampa arena)|Ice Palace]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[Davis Cup]]<br>Final Venue
| before = [[Schleyerhalle]]<br>[[Stuttgart]]
| after = [[Palais des Sports de Gerland]]<br>[[Lyon]]
| years = [[1990 Davis Cup|1990]]
}}
{{Succession box
| title = [[NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship|NCAA Men's Division I]] <br>[[NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship|Basketball Tournament]]<br>Finals Venue
| years = [[1999 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament|1999]]
| before = [[Alamodome]]
| after = [[RCA Dome]]
}}
{{end}}
 
{{MLB Ballparks}}
{{Tampa Bay Rays}}
{{Tampa Bay Lightning}}
{{Tampa Bay Storm}}
{{St. Petersburg Bowl navbox}}
{{East–West Shrine Game navbox}}
{{NCAA Division I FBS bowl game stadium navbox}}
{{World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series race venues}}
{{Former NHL arenas}}
{{United Football League (2009)}}


[[Category:Covered stadiums in the United States]]
[[Category: Venues in Florida]]
[[Category:Indoor ice hockey venues in Florida]]
[[Category: Active venues]]
[[Category:Defunct National Hockey League venues]]
[[Category: Tampa Bay Lightning venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1990]]
[[Category: Tampa Bay Rays venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues in St. Petersburg, Florida]]
[[Category: Venues opened in 1990]]
[[Category:NCAA bowl game venues]]
[[Category:Florida Tuskers stadiums]]
[[Category:Music venues in Florida]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Rays stadiums]]
[[Category:Tampa Bay Lightning arenas]]
[[Category:Baseball venues in Florida]]
[[Category:Defunct United Football League (2009–2012) venues]]
[[Category:Tropicana Products]]
[[Category:PepsiCo buildings and structures]]<!--Tropicana is a division of PepsiCo.-->
[[Category:Major League Baseball venues]]
[[Category:United Football League (2009–2012) venues]]
[[Category:1990 establishments in Florida]]
[[Category:NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four venues]]
[[Category:1990 Davis Cup]]

Latest revision as of 13:23, 9 May 2024

Tropicana Field
Location St. Petersburg, Florida
Opened March 3, 1990
Other Names ThunderDome (1993-1996)
Florida Suncoast Dome (1990-93)
Tenants Tampa Bay Rays (1998-present)
Tampa Bay Lightning (1993-1996)

Tropicana Field is a stadium located in St. Petersburg, Florida. It opened on March 3, 1990 and is the home of the Tampa Bay Rays. It also hosted the St. Petersburg Bowl from 2008-17.

List of credited publications

League Date/Season Team(s) Type
Major League Baseball 1999 Tampa Bay Rays Program
2000 Tampa Bay Rays Program
2008 Tampa Bay Rays vs. Chicago White Sox ALDS Program
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Boston Red Sox ALCS Program
Tampa Bay Rays vs. Philadelphia Phillies World Series Program
2010 Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers ALDS Program
2011 Tampa Bay Rays vs. Texas Rangers ALDS Program
College Football December 21, 2012 Ball State Cardinals vs. UCF Knights 2012 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl Program
January 20, 2018 East-West Shrine Game Program
Venue.png Venues Portal


Major League Baseball
American League East Central West
Baltimore Orioles (Oriole Park at Camden Yards)
Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park)
New York Yankees (Yankee Stadium)
Tampa Bay Rays (Tropicana Field)
Toronto Blue Jays (Rogers Centre) 		Chicago White Sox (Guaranteed Rate Field)
Cleveland Guardians (Progressive Field)
Detroit Tigers (Comerica Park)
Kansas City Royals (Kauffman Stadium)
Minnesota Twins (Target Field) 		Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park)
Los Angeles Angels (Angel Stadium)
Oakland Athletics (RingCentral Coliseum)
Seattle Mariners (T-Mobile Park)
Texas Rangers (Globe Life Field)
National League East Central West
Atlanta Braves (Truist Park)
Miami Marlins (LoanDepot Park)
New York Mets (Citi Field)
Philadelphia Phillies (Citizens Bank Park)
Washington Nationals (Nationals Park) 		Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field)
Cincinnati Reds (Great American Ball Park)
Milwaukee Brewers (American Family Field)
Pittsburgh Pirates (PNC Park)
St. Louis Cardinals (Busch Stadium) 		Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field)
Colorado Rockies (Coors Field)
Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodger Stadium)
San Diego Padres (Petco Park)
San Francisco Giants (Oracle Park)
Related League publications • Seasons • Stadiums • Minor League Baseball • ALDS • NLDS • ALCS • NLCS • World Series
Retrieved from "https://sportspaper.info/wiki/index.php?title=Tropicana_Field&oldid=114610"