With the World Series headed to Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg is bracing for a surge of cars, crowds and the parking scramble that comes with both.
For residents like Scarlett Davis, downtown parking is already a headache. On nights when big events hit, she said, it gets worse fast.
"I kind of opt to not use my car and walk and use other methods of transportation, like a bike. It's just becoming impossible to park in most places," said Davis.
That frustration is exactly why St. Pete Police are urging fans and visitors to make a plan before they leave home. Yolanda Fernandez said the usual approach won’t work when the World Series crowd rolls in.
"Just always have a plan when you come down because you're not going to be able to park on a side street like you're used to," said Yolanda Fernandez with St. Pete Police.
Police said more than 40,000 people are expected in the area during the games at Tropicana Field. Their advice: park farther away and use buses or trams, or skip driving altogether.
"Anyone to drop you off and pick you up, that's going to be the best way to handle this," said Fernandez.
Transportation companies are already feeling the wave of interest. Jeremy Jenkins, who owns His and Hers Limousines, said the phone has been ringing more often.
"We've definitely seen an uptick in phone calls and phone volume," said Jeremy Jenkins, who owns His and Hers Limousines.
He said a bad parking decision could throw off an entire night.
"The playoff games, you will be blocks from the stadium if you can get a parking spot…in which you'll be late for the first pitch if you don't realize you're 15 blocks from the stadium and have to walk that far," said Jenkins.
Jenkins also said his company is preparing for the demand, with chauffeurs doing their own homework ahead of time.
"Our chauffeurs are doing homework the night before to know the ins and outs of where you're going and where to be dropped off at," said Jenkins.
St. Pete Police said officers will be out directing traffic and asked drivers to stay patient. Davis said the crowd and the parking crunch are part of the reality of a major event in the city.
"You kind of know that parking is going to be maximized, so it is a little bit of a game to try and…you kind of have to anticipate that parking is something you're going to have to plan for," said Davis.
In Other News...
Rays Payroll Debate Just Got Harder To Ignore
The payroll conversation around the Rays has only gotten louder because the gap between Tampa Bay and the leagues heavy spenders keeps showing up in the standings and in October. The Brewers sit in the middle of the pack by comparison, but both clubs are still built around value, with most of the roster coming through on bargain contracts rather than the kind of high-priced core that has defined recent World Series winners.
For Tampa Bay, that model is still the defining feature of the roster, and it is easy to see why the debate keeps coming back whenever the playoff field gets smaller and the richest clubs remain in it. The Rays have been able to stay competitive by squeezing production from young, inexpensive talent and maximizing every dollar, but the broader question is whether that approach can keep matching up against teams that can simply absorb mistakes and add more impact talent when they need it. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Face A World Series Problem Their Speed May Not Solve
The Rays have made speed part of their identity all season, and that has carried straight into October. Tampa Bay and Milwaukee both pushed the running game to the front of the scouting report during the regular season, finishing first and second in stolen bases, and neither club has backed off in the playoffs. It figures to be one of the most interesting subplots of the World Series, especially with the Rays trying to use quickness as a way to create pressure in a matchup where every extra base can matter.
Chandler Simpson has been a central figure in that approach, giving Tampa Bay a true threat once he reaches. The bigger question is whether the Rays can also handle the other side of the equation, because Milwaukee comes in with a reputation for controlling the running game better than almost anyone. If Tampa Bay cannot keep that from becoming a factor, the Series may end up turning on whether its speed can create enough chaos to offset what the Brewers do best. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Are Turning The Trop Into A World Series Gathering Place
The Rays are turning Tropicana Field into a World Series gathering spot, opening the ballpark for watch parties as the Fall Classic gets underway. Fans can buy in for $10, with parking set at $5, and the club will also offer upgraded ticket options that include access to food and beverage areas, giving supporters a way to take in the championship atmosphere together even though the games themselves are being played elsewhere.
Those gatherings are slated to coincide with the opening games in Milwaukee and St. Petersburg, giving Tampa Bay fans a place to rally around October baseball while the series unfolds. The setup also keeps the door open for more nights at the Trop later in the matchup, a reminder that even without the Rays on the field, the ballpark can still become part of the postseason scene. [Read more 🡒]