### Rays to Play 2025 Season at Yankees’ Steinbrenner Field Due to Hurricane Damage

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to play their 2025 season at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, the spring training home of their American League East rivals, the New York Yankees. This move comes after Hurricane Milton inflicted extensive damage to Tropicana Field, rendering it unplayable until the 2026 season.

The decision to use Steinbrenner Field over Clearwater's BayCare Ballpark, home to the Philadelphia Phillies, was made in consultation with Major League Baseball (MLB). St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch affirmed that discussions have been ongoing, stating, "I understand their rationale for Steinbrenner."

Vince Nowicki, a newly elected Pinellas County Commissioner, revealed that the Rays informed St. Petersburg City Council members about their plans. Specifics concerning the agreement with MLB and the Yankees, as well as the impact on the Class A minor-league Tarpons who also use Steinbrenner Field, remain unclear.

Last month, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred expressed his desire for the team to stay within the Tampa Bay area, indicating that several spring training stadiums were feasible options. Steinbrenner Field, which has a capacity of 11,026 and numerous amenities, would require minimal upgrades to meet MLB standards.

However, concerns exist regarding playing in the summer heat and rain, which have historically caused an average of 6.4 postponements annually for the Tarpons. Additionally, some Pinellas County commissioners, who prefer the team to stay in their county, may leverage their approval of the Rays' new $1.3 billion stadium deal contingent on this decision.

Despite potential opposition, Welch remains optimistic about the Rays returning to a repaired Tropicana Field by 2026, with an estimated repair cost of $56 million. Discussions are expected to continue as stakeholders aim to finalize plans that align with both economic and logistical interests.

The Rays' temporary relocation will also affect the Yankees' Tarpons farm team, necessitating adjustments to the team schedules with expectations of changes relayed to Florida State League officials recently. Reflecting on the move, Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt noted, "The facility is nice... It's one of the nicer facilities I've been in."