Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training - 2010The Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Season 2009 heralded in a new era as the team moved to Port Charlotte, Florida.
The Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training facility officially moved 75 miles south to Port Charlotte, Florida in February, 2009. The Rays in 2008 went from worst to first, winning the American League pennant. Their Cinderella-like success has brought the team a resurgence in its popularity as they’ve been struggling since their first season back in 1998.
Baseball Spring Training Florida StyleThe Charlotte County Stadium (now the Charlotte County Sports Park), which was spring training home to the Texas Rangers from 1987 - 2002, was renovated for the 2009 Tampa Spring Training season to the tune of $28 million.
It features over 5,000 reserved seats and 2,000 seats on the grass berms along the foul lines in the outfield. The Rays front office says that with suites and group party areas the overall capacity is about 6,800. The renovated park features a boardwalk that spans the outfield, barbecue area, a Tiki bar along the boardwalk in center field with a roof lined with old baseball cards and a children’s play area which will be open year round that team reps also hope will become an “autograph alley” for fans during spring training season. There are also 5 ˝ practice fields in addition to the stadium, covered batting cages and more, all designed to make the 2008 American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays feel right at home. Florida Spring Training The first spring training work out for the Rays is scheduled for February 18, 2010, when pitchers and catchers have their first workout. The full squad is scheduled to report a few days later and their first full squad workout is scheduled for February 24, 2010. The Rays' first spring training game is March 4, 2010, at home, against the Baltimore Orioles, Sarasota's new spring training team. The stadium will not be empty over the summer. The Class A Charlotte Stone Crabs will take over the park.
  Directions: From the Sarasota area take I-75 south to exit 179 toward North Port/Port Charlotte. Merge on to North Toledo Blade BLVD. Turn right at El Jobean Rd/SRR-776/Veterans Blvd. Continue to follow El Jobean Road/SRR-776 until you see the park, (about a mile) on the left. Turn left into the park grounds. The Charlotte County Sports Park is at 2300 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte, FL. From the Sarasota/Venice area this is about a 30-35 minute drive from the I-75/Laurel Rd interchange.  Click here for the 2010 Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training Game Schedule. Return from Tampa Bay Rays Spring Training to Baseball Spring Training main page.
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