PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays will be on the move when Spring Training 2023 arrives.
With Charlotte Sports Park damaged due to Hurricane Ian, the team plans on opening spring at Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Team officials said there was not enough time to get the park in “suitable condition” to host games.
What You Need To Know
- Rays to open Spring Traiing 2023 at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex
- Charlotte Sports Park sustained water and electrical damage during Hurricane Ian in September
- Rays beging Spring Training Feb. 14; will move operations to Tropicana Field March 1 and play games at Tropicana Field
- Rays updated Sprint Training schedule released
Ian made landfall just south of Punta Gorda on Sept. 28. The stadium, where the Rays have conducted Spring Training since 2009, sustained water damage and electrical issues.
The Rays will move operations from Disney to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg at the beginning of March for the rest of Spring Training.
Pitchers and catchers are scheduled to report to Spring Training on Feb. 14, with early arrivals slated for Feb. 6. The Rays will operate their big league camp at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex from then until March 1.
It will be a temporary return of sorts for Spring Training in downtown St. Petersburg, as the Rays played their spring home games at Al Lang Field from 1998-2008 before moving south to Port Charlotte.
Ticket information for the Rays’ Spring Training games will be released in January.
“We are thankful for Disney’s willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs,” Rays president Matt Silverman said in a statement. “ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp-up to the season.”