The Rays are asking for time and “patience” as they assess the damage Hurricane Milton caused to Tropicana Field.
A storm ripped through Florida on Wednesday night, ripping the roof of a St. Petersburg baseball stadium to shreds.
“We expect to be able to assess the true condition of Tropicana Field in the coming days and weeks.” the team said Thursday. “In the meantime, we are working with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our buildings. We ask for your patience at this time and, if you are able, to help those directly affected by these storms. We encourage you to donate to organizations in your community that support .
Strong winds caused the white cloth draped over the stadium's roof to dangle from the catwalk, creating a surreal scene.
Tropicana Field's dome structure is built to withstand winds of up to 115 miles per hour.
Geiger Engineers installed the roof in 1990. told The Athletic The roof is “well past its original useful life.”
Winds in St. Petersburg peaked at 161 mph Wednesday. According to the National Weather Service.
According to a press release, there were no injuries as a result of the damage to the stadium.
Milton was the second hurricane to hit Florida in a few weeks, following Helen, which made landfall on September 26th.
Tropicana Field was used by the state as a base camp for 10,000 people in the days leading up to Milton.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a press conference Thursday that first responders were relocated before the hurricane hit the state.
The Rays have played at Tropicana Field since 1998.
The team plans to open a new $1.3 billion, 34,000-seat stadium by the 2028 season.
Tropicana Field doesn't open until March 27, when it hosts the Rockies to open the 2025 season.
