Inside the mind of a Tampa Tribe fan: Between Innings

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http://waitingfornextyear.com/2017/08/tampa-bay-rays-cleveland-indians-fan-talk/

Inside the mind of a Tampa Tribe fan: Between Innings

How horrendous is the location of Tropicana Field? What makes it the wrong spot for a ballpark? Or, do you think the reports have been overblown?

The number one complaint among folks in these parts is that attending the game requires venturing to St. Petersburg. It’s not so much a problem of St. Pete itself, which is working to appeal to a younger demographic with microbreweries, new restaurants, and a growing music scene. There’s also the Dali Museum and Al Lang Stadium nearby (home of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a potential MLS addition in the near future). In a vacuum, Tropicana Field is in a perfectly reasonable location for a stadium. The greater issue is getting to St. Petersburg, which requires venturing across the bay. Options for doing so are limited (pick a miles-long bridge and pray) and congested (especially during the week) plus Floridians have a notorious inability to operate automobiles in a safe or sane manner. A nightmarish hellscape that perhaps only Dante could adequately describe. Coming from the North is somewhat less awful, but not by a large margin. You think the greater Cleveland area has traffic issues? US-19 would like a word. The popular alternative is, of course, to put a new stadium in Tampa. But exactly no part of that process is easy, whether it’s finding a location, deciding who will pay, or contract issues with the city of St. Pete. A new stadium solution would surprise me far more than a decision to relocate the team entirely out of Florida.

The ballpark itself, well…

It’s not a destination spot. A dome is absolutely necessary in this state (someone needs to tell the Bucs), but this is one of those early 90s, generic, dull, utilitarian structures. If you’re looking for character, this is not the place for you. The kindest thing I can say of the Trop (besides praising its air-conditioned interior) is that they finally have legitimate field turf in there, as opposed to relying on what appeared to be either discarded pieces from local driving range mats cobbled together or that green rug material that my aunt and uncle used to cover the deck where they parked their RV when I was 12. Didn’t exactly scream “professional facility.” If you ever for a second question how good we have it as Tribe fans at the Jake, come on down and see this mausoleum for yourself.

[ . . . ]

- One of the biggest things that sucks about the Trop is the sea of parking around it separating it from anything cool and useful. We hit up Fergs pre-game Sunday (oh my God, never again), but there are at least 4 decent microbreweries and a bunch of restaurants in walking distance once you're outside the parking lots. St Pete seems to really be trying, but the stadium is so cut off from everything, and who wants to walk to the beers in 100 degree heat.

- As an aside, for those that are interested, Cycle Brewing lives up to it's rep for quality. 3 Daughters was the most enjoyable environment and beer setup. And Pinellas Ale Works was unknown (at least to us going down) and a total hidden gem.

[ . . . ]

-Too late now, but Ferg's post-game is definitely a bit more navigable than pre-game, I think due to the exact parking situation you described. The city is really hyping up the microbrew scene, and those spots are doing it right for the most part. Ale Works is news to me and is now on the list. Should you ever venture north of St. Pete, Dunedin and Palm Harbor are both bringing a strong micro game as well (partial to de Bine myself).

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http://saintpetersblog.com/tampa-bay-rowdies-lose-saint-louis-4-3-heartbreaker/

Tampa Bay Rowdies lose to Saint Louis in 4-3 heartbreaker

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http://www.uslsoccer.com/news_article/show/823058

Saint Louis Wins Seven-Goal Thriller

Fast start, dramatic end sees Saint Louis down Tampa Bay 4-3

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http://www.tampabay.com/sports/soccer/rowdies-lose-in-st-louis-snapping-five-game-unbeaten-streak/2333655

Rowdies lose in St. Louis, snapping five-game unbeaten streak

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https://www.ktrs.com/saint-louis-fc-wins-in-wild-4-3-finish/

Saint Louis FC Wins in Wild 4-3 Finish

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http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/sports/article.html/content/news/articles/bhsn/2017/8/13/rowdies_lose_heartbr.html

Rowdies lose heartbreaker 4-3 in St. Louis

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https://www.reddit.com/r/MLS/comments/6torjx/kartik_krishnaiyer_mls_tv_numbers_are_up_thus_far/

[Kartik Krishnaiyer] MLS TV numbers are up thus far in 2017 versus 2016 (twitter.com)

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https://twitter.com/kkfla737/status/897175712528039936

Kartik Krishnaiyer‏

@kkfla737

#MLS TV numbers are up thus far in 2017 versus 2016.

12:18 PM - 14 Aug 2017 from Florida, USA

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https://www.si.com/soccer/2017/08/14/nashville-mls-expansion-bid-stadium-plan-renderings

Nashville's MLS Expansion Bid Releases Plan, First Renderings for 30,000-Seat Stadium

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http://thesefootballtimes.co/2017/08/14/chmel-blsany-europes-smallest-club-that-once-aimed-for-greatness/

Chmel Blšany: Europe’s smallest club that once aimed for greatness

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http://jacksonville.com/metro/business/2017-08-12/new-jacksonville-armada-owner-sees-team-extension-his-financial-services

New Jacksonville Armada owner sees team as extension of his financial services empire

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http://www.tampabay.com/things-to-do/food/dining/holy-guacamole-taco-bus-announces-four-new-tampa-bay-locations/2333197

Holy guacamole: Taco Bus announces four new Tampa Bay locations