A day at the ballpark: Here are some of the differences at the Rays' temporary home field

The Tampa Bay Rays' 28th season is officially underway.

The Rays have taken up residence for their 2025 regular-season “home” games at the spring home of its American League East rival, the New York Yankees, at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

The destruction of Tropicana Field’s roof in October by Hurricane Milton forced the Rays to seek a new home across the bay in Tampa, Florida.

The Rays and the Oakland A's are playing their home games this season in a minor league ballpark about one-third the size of a standard Major League Baseball stadium. The Athletics are preparing to move to Las Vegas for their 2028 season, so they're playing this season at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California.

In the week leading up to opening day, Rays' staff members covered and removed almost everything Yankees to make the space look and feel as much like their home as possible. 

What are the differences besides not sitting in the air-conditioned ballpark watching the Rays? I grabbed my sketchbook and traveled to the game to check it out.

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When will the Rays return to Tropicana Field?

On April 3, the St. Petersburg city council voted 7-1 to replace the roof of Tropicana Field.

The city of St. Petersburg owns the ballpark and is contractually obligated to provide the Rays with a playable home. The new fiberglass roof, which is coated with Teflon, will cost the city $22.5 million. The Rays are expected to return to the indoor facility for the 2026 season.

SOURCE Paste BN Network reporting and research