Rays announce improvements to the Trop for 2014

A rendering of the project, known as "Rays 360",
viewed from the RF concourse.
Courtesy: RaysBaseball.com

Late this morning the Rays announced changes to Tropicana Field for 2014. The project, being billed as "Rays 360", will allow fans to walk 360 degrees around the lower bowl of Tropicana Field. To do this, the batter's eye restaurant in center field will be removed and replaced with an open patio "with open views of the playing field and new food and beverage areas easily accessible to all ballpark patrons" says a press release released by the Rays.

"These renovations reflect our constant commitment to providing a first class gameday experience at Tropicana Field," said Rays Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg. "A visit to the ballpark will be even more enjoyable because of these new features and attractions."

The project will require 3,000 seats to be removed, reducing max capacity at the Trop to 31,042. The project is expected to cost $1.3 million with the funds being provided by the City of St. Petersburg who voted to approve the project late last month. The funds come from a pool of money set aside specifically for possible renovations to Tropicana Field and must be approved by the City Council to be used.

You can read the press release at RaysBaseball.com for more information and to see more renderings of the project.