Rays/MLB

Rays might head south for spring

By MARC TOPKIN
Published August 9, 2006

SEATTLE - Charlotte County has emerged as the most likely new spring training home of the Devil Rays.

"We have worked with a number of potential locations, and our conversations are most advanced with Charlotte County," Rays president Matt Silverman said in an e-mail late Tuesday.

Talks have progressed but are believed to still be in the preliminary stage, with the idea of a move for the 2009 season. One significant and, thus far, unresolved issue is a renovation to the facility that would cost $25-million to $30-million.

Charlotte County commissioners were updated Tuesday and, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, said they would consider it only if no ad valorem tax funds were required.

Proposed options include adding one-fifth of a cent to the county's tourism bed tax and applying for a $500,000 state grant while the Rays also proposed to pay about $420,000, the report said.

The Rays are expected to present a more detailed plan and discuss the proposal at an Aug. 22 meeting.

The Rays have trained in St. Petersburg since their inception but under new ownership have been considering a move to broaden their base in the state. They are signed for St. Petersburg through 2007 but have options for 2008 and 2009.

The Charlotte County facility was used through 2002 by Texas, which then moved to Arizona.

In a statement, the Rays said: "We continue to evaluate all options. Spring training can be an opportunity for us to expand our presence outside of the immediate Tampa Bay area and cultivate regional support for the Rays. Charlotte County is one of the places we're exploring. It's a great community where we'd be thrilled to have a presence, but we haven't reached an agreement as of yet."

[Last modified August 9, 2006, 06:12:02]