Baseball Forever - St. Pete
The Baseball Forever Campaign is an initiative of the City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, residents, and fans of the Tampa Bay Rays. Please join us if you believe St. Petersburg should be the forever home of the Tampa Bay Rays.
We Made Our Pitch!
Mayor Rick Kriseman, the City of St. Petersburg and the Baseball Forever Campaign Makes its Pitch to the Rays.
Take the Pledge
It's time to take a stand to keep the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg. The City of St. Petersburg is developing a new ballpark proposal for the existing Tropicana Field site, and will soon be submitting this proposal to the Rays. The community's support for this is essential.
We now need to show our love and enthusiasm for the Rays, and ask that you pledge your support to encourage the Rays to build a new ballpark in St. Petersburg.
Please click the button below to pledge your support.
Campaign Leaders
Mayor Rick Kriseman
Mayor, City of St. Petersburg
Chris Steinocher
President & CEO, St. Petersburg Area Chamber of CommerceMedia
- 1/28/2017 Kriseman Meets with Baseball Commissioner - TB Reporter
- 12/29/2016 Tampa Bay Rays Fan Dick Vitale: Baseball Forever Campaign Is ‘Awesome, Baby’ - Patch
- 4/22/2016 By linking Tropicana Field to waterfront, global firm wins design competition - Tampa Bay Times
- 4/08/2016 7 firms fighting for Tropicana Field deal - 10 News WTSP
- 3/25/2016 Call to enliven Trop site draws interest of 15 planning teams - The Tampa Tribune
- 2/27/2016 St. Pete mayor, chamber leader, formally launch ‘Baseball Forever’ campaign - The Tampa Tribune
- 2/27/2016 ‘Baseball Forever’ campaign hopes to convince Tampa Bay Rays to stay - WFLA News Channel 8
- 2/27/2016 St. Petersburg launches its campaign to keep Rays in city (w/video) - Tampa Bay Times
FAQ
The goal of Baseball Forever is to convince the Tampa Bay Rays that their current site, reimagined and redeveloped, remains the best location for Major League Baseball in Tampa Bay. However, we will work closely with the Rays, county officials, the private sector, and other stakeholders should the team identify a future stadium site adjacent to or impacting St. Petersburg.
No. Baseball in St. Petersburg has a rich history and a bright future. Only 30 cities have a Major League Baseball team, and we’re one of them! We believe smart redevelopment surrounding a new stadium on the Rays’ existing site offers the City and the team the greatest chance for success.
A master planning process that incorporates a new baseball stadium is underway. A master plan without a stadium may be considered at a later date.
The Kriseman Administration’s vision for the site is as followed:
“Eighty-plus acres of potential sit adjacent to St. Petersburg's Downtown - promising transformation that will elevate St. Petersburg, and all of Pinellas County, to one of the strongest economies in the region. A world-class job generator, development of the Trop site will produce high-skilled, high-wage employment opportunities in sectors targeted for growth by St. Petersburg's business community. Cutting-edge research, innovation, entrepreneurialism, livability and unique commercial, entertainment and sports opportunities will further differentiate this regional business center that will provide economic stimulus and activity for St. Petersburg's residents for many years to come.”
On October 20, 2016, a preliminary vision of the site was presented by HKS Architects following input from the public and stakeholders. The site redevelopment proposal can be viewed here.
A new stadium is likely to be built with both public and private funds. In this instance, the likeliest sources of funding are the private sector (the Tampa Bay Rays), Pinellas County (tourist development taxes), and the City of St. Petersburg (through the redevelopment of the Tropicana Field site)
Mayor Kriseman does not believe St. Petersburg residents should pay increased taxes to build a new stadium.
The team’s use agreement with the City of St. Petersburg concludes following the 2027 season. Per the team’s understanding with the City, their ability to explore potential stadium sites expires on December 31, 2018. The Baseball Forever Campaign intends to present a prospectus to the team between the end of the 2016 baseball season and the beginning of the 2017 baseball season.
Join Baseball Forever, look for news and updates from us, and support our hometown team!