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Club expands its Florida market by moving three-game series
By Dawn Klemish / MLB.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Devil Rays expanded their Florida market Thursday morning by officially announcing their partnership with Disney's Wide World of Sports to play a three-game set against the Texas Rangers at Disney during the 2007 season.
The series, which will take place May 15-17 at the same complex which hosted the first round of the World Baseball Classic, was approved by Major League Baseball earlier this month.
"We see this an exciting opportunity to establish a relationship with the world's premier entertainment company, enhance our presence and grow our fan base in Central Florida, and provide a whole new way for our fans to enjoy Rays baseball at 'home' in an open-air environment," Rays team president Matt Silverman said.
Silverman said the idea was formed months ago when the Rays were searching for a new Spring Training home. Tampa Bay had scouted the Disney fields as a potential spot, but it had to look elsewhere, because the Braves play there each spring. The Rays announced in September they will relocate their Spring Training to Port Charlotte, Fla., beginning with the 2009 season, but the thought of bringing big-league baseball to Central Florida remained an opportunity the club decided was too good to pass up.
"These games will provide us the unique opportunity to blend many of the fan-friendly components that we have at Tropicana Field with the energy and magic of Disney and its Wide World of Sports Complex," Silverman said. "We hope that these games will whet the appetite of the fan from Central Florida and they'll take us up on our offers to come sample Rays baseball, and our fan experience, back at Tropicana Field."
It's one experience Rays second baseman Jorge Cantu said he'd definitely like to share with his family.
"I think it's a great idea, especially for the kids, the families and the players' families," said Cantu, who played on the field from 2001-03 as a member of the Rays' Double-A affiliate before it moved to Montgomery, Ala. "I think I'm going to bring my parents to that series. I have a little brother who's 7 years old, so if my dad can't come ... I'll take him to Disney."
To further their commitment to expanding their market throughout the region, the Rays have added to their TV and radio operations for a greater coverage area, and increased the number of games televised in the Orlando area to 67 for the 2007 season.
The series will mark the Orlando area's first regular-season Major League games.
"Now, I can get excited," said Reggie Williams, vice president of Disney sports attractions. "This is something that is truly historic for fans of baseball in Central Florida, and we're extremely excited to have the opportunity to host this historic occasion."
The stadium was designed to hold approximately 9,500 fans, but it can be expanded to accommodate 13,000. Silverman noted that Rays season ticket holders will be offered seats to the series comparable to the ones they hold at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, where the three games were originally slated to be played. Should the fans choose not to attend any or all games of the series, they will be compensated with a refund, food and beverage vouchers, tickets to another home game, or other possibilities.
Tickets for the games will go on sale Feb. 17, with more information becoming available early next year. Until then, fans are encouraged to visit www.disneyworldsports.com for updates.
The three games were originally slated to be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
Dawn Klemish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
By Dawn Klemish / MLB.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- The Devil Rays expanded their Florida market Thursday morning by officially announcing their partnership with Disney's Wide World of Sports to play a three-game set against the Texas Rangers at Disney during the 2007 season.
The series, which will take place May 15-17 at the same complex which hosted the first round of the World Baseball Classic, was approved by Major League Baseball earlier this month.
"We see this an exciting opportunity to establish a relationship with the world's premier entertainment company, enhance our presence and grow our fan base in Central Florida, and provide a whole new way for our fans to enjoy Rays baseball at 'home' in an open-air environment," Rays team president Matt Silverman said.
Silverman said the idea was formed months ago when the Rays were searching for a new Spring Training home. Tampa Bay had scouted the Disney fields as a potential spot, but it had to look elsewhere, because the Braves play there each spring. The Rays announced in September they will relocate their Spring Training to Port Charlotte, Fla., beginning with the 2009 season, but the thought of bringing big-league baseball to Central Florida remained an opportunity the club decided was too good to pass up.
"These games will provide us the unique opportunity to blend many of the fan-friendly components that we have at Tropicana Field with the energy and magic of Disney and its Wide World of Sports Complex," Silverman said. "We hope that these games will whet the appetite of the fan from Central Florida and they'll take us up on our offers to come sample Rays baseball, and our fan experience, back at Tropicana Field."
It's one experience Rays second baseman Jorge Cantu said he'd definitely like to share with his family.
"I think it's a great idea, especially for the kids, the families and the players' families," said Cantu, who played on the field from 2001-03 as a member of the Rays' Double-A affiliate before it moved to Montgomery, Ala. "I think I'm going to bring my parents to that series. I have a little brother who's 7 years old, so if my dad can't come ... I'll take him to Disney."
To further their commitment to expanding their market throughout the region, the Rays have added to their TV and radio operations for a greater coverage area, and increased the number of games televised in the Orlando area to 67 for the 2007 season.
The series will mark the Orlando area's first regular-season Major League games.
"Now, I can get excited," said Reggie Williams, vice president of Disney sports attractions. "This is something that is truly historic for fans of baseball in Central Florida, and we're extremely excited to have the opportunity to host this historic occasion."
The stadium was designed to hold approximately 9,500 fans, but it can be expanded to accommodate 13,000. Silverman noted that Rays season ticket holders will be offered seats to the series comparable to the ones they hold at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, where the three games were originally slated to be played. Should the fans choose not to attend any or all games of the series, they will be compensated with a refund, food and beverage vouchers, tickets to another home game, or other possibilities.
Tickets for the games will go on sale Feb. 17, with more information becoming available early next year. Until then, fans are encouraged to visit www.disneyworldsports.com for updates.
The three games were originally slated to be played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg
Dawn Klemish is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
