Stadium Report Cards: Tropicana Field

Team: Tampa Bay Rays
Location: St. Petersburg, FL
League: Major League Baseball(AL)
Built: 1990
Capacity: 36,973
My event: Regular season game, vs Texas Rangers

1. Outdoor Design
If you look at the picture above, you can see what it looks like. Again, it's a dome, but unlike most domes it's round. Also, it has tilted roof. So the architects back in the day atleast put some thought into it. Note, the stadium above is probably... late 90s/early 2000s
5/10

2. Indoor Design

In recent years, it's gone from a hollow crappy inside, into a more home feel. To be honest, I like it. It has some qualities similar to an outdoor stadium, but still has some remaining indoor things.
6/10

3. Prices
Known as the most fan friendly prices, this one doesn't leave you disappointed. Though food prices for a chicken tender basket, and a large coke can cost as much as upper deck tickets.
9/10

4. Food
Dang, the food here is actually really good. There are soooo many choices. From, Papa Johns pizza, Outback, burgers, fries, chicken, cubans, philly cheese steaks... I could go on.
9/10

5. Staff
The staff is always friendly, mingling with fans and such, it's really nice to have.
8/10

6. Cleanliness
People complain about the dome, but honestly, don't listen. I go to about 10 games a year, and don't think that it's terrible. Sure, theres some sticky stuff on the metal flooring in the left field bleachers, but thats just from the people there.
5/10

7. Parking
Big parking lot around the stadium. Bring 4 or more fans to a game, and you can park free. Though you may have to resort in parking in the shady area surrounding the stadium. Getting out is complained about, but if you know what you're doing, it's gold.
7/10

8. Atmosphere

Rays games are moody. If you get the Royals on a Tuesday night, then yeah the atmosphere will be crappy. A Yankee game on a Friday night, it's rockin'. The picture above was a Saturday night against Texas, with Big and Rich after the game. But since it can be crappy at times, I give it a 6.
6/10

9. Playing Surface.
It looks like crap. There, I said it. But it does have a complete infield, dirt wise.
3/10

10. Scoreboard

Another new feature from the last few years is the big scoreboard.
8/10

I tried not being biased here. Tropicana Field gets a 65. Just beating the Sun Dome.

I love this place, but Tampa needs a new stadium. Too much bitching about this stadium, so that leads people whose only trip was in 2005 to keep complaining.