Tropicana Field Renovations: Rays Ready for Action
PORT CHARLOTTE - The Tropicana Field renovations are nearly complete, with the roof and the rain-soaked interiors receiving much-needed attention after Hurricane Milton's impact. While the paint is fresh and unnecessary cables have been cleared, the real focus is on the field itself.
The artificial surface and clay were among the first casualties of the storm, prompting a full overhaul. To accommodate these repairs, the Rays will kick off their season with a nine-game road trip, returning for their home opener on April 6. This schedule leaves them without a spring game at the Trop, meaning no live rehearsal before the season begins.
Enter shortstop Taylor Walls, who recently took to the field for an afternoon of ground ball practice. Manager Kevin Cash mentioned, “I just asked him if he’d be interested,” and Walls was eager to get a feel for the new surface.
Walls spent about 40 minutes fielding grounders, assessing the speed and bounce of the turf. “Honestly, it played pretty true,” he noted.
The new turf, slower than its predecessor, is similar to Miami’s. While there’s a lot of filler bouncing up with the ball, Walls expects this to decrease as the surface settles.
Comparing it to other fields, Walls added, “You have your extremes, like Toronto, where the ball bounces a crazy amount. This is a good blend of both.” The dirt is hard and fast, but expected to soften over time.
The Major League Players Association is also monitoring the renovations, with former player Phil Bradley visiting to ensure player amenities meet standards.
Traditionally, the Rays have had a chance to get familiar with their home turf before the season starts, but last-minute work has made that impossible this year. However, Cash is hopeful for a brief workout when the team plays in Pinellas County on March 22 and 23. “We’d love to get our outfielders over there just to see the new roof,” Cash said.
This is particularly important as the Rays have several new outfielders since their last game at Tropicana in 2024. Jonny DeLuca is the only outfielder with significant experience there, while others like Chandler Simpson and Cedric Mullins have limited exposure.
Mullins expressed curiosity about the new roof, which has faded from a darker color to white. “I’ve heard it might be darker, which would make it potentially easier to see, but we won’t know until we get in there,” Mullins said. Adjustments will be key as players adapt to both the new roof and turf.
As the Rays prepare for the season, the focus remains on adapting to these changes and making the necessary adjustments to ensure they’re ready to shine when they return home.