Rays’ sense of playing at Steinbrenner Field: It’s real, yet still odd

TAMPA In their first trip to Steinbrenner Field of 2025, the Rays were still the guests.Before, during and after their 4-0, spring-opening loss, they saw signs of their pending regular season takeover, such as the expansion of the visiting clubhouse to meet Major League Baseballs standards.The Rays will return as visitors for the Yankees final home exhibition game on March 23, then get the full Steinbrenner Field experience as they move in for the next six-plus months.

Team staff will have about 72 hours to perform a massive makeover of stadium branding and signage before their March 28 opener vs.

Colorado.Following extensive damage to Tropicana Field from Hurricane Milton, the Rays have known since mid-November they would play home games at the Yankees spring home.Being there Friday made it more real.Its exciting to get over here and just walk the grounds, said Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt.It also still seemed weird.A little bit, Rays outfielder Josh Lowe said.

Just walking in from the car, I was just kind of looking at everything from the outside, driving by on the road, thinking were going to spend our whole season here for home games.Its going to be a unique experience.But also, Lowe said, a good one.Were going to make the most out of it, he said.

Its baseball.

Were going to take care of business on the field no matter what field were on.

So, this is just a different home for us this year.Knowing the player/staff space and facilities are among the best in baseball for spring and regular-season stadiums should make the transition easier, manager Kevin Cash said.

The Yankees made extensive renovations to the stadium the past two offseasons.I would say [its] more exciting.

The weirdness, I feel like Ive gotten over it, Cash said.

But excited that I know that this facility is going to be really, really nice.

Very appreciative of the accommodations.

And to be able to keep it here local and have our fans.Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, who lives in Tampa, has said that accommodating the Rays (who reportedly are paying $10 million to use the stadium and another $5 million for necessary upgrades) was the right thing to do for the community.He noted Friday how the teams have worked together on the transition process.Theres been a lot of Rays people here for weeks, Steinbrenner said.

Its going to be an adventure.

No doubt about it.

But theyve been very thankful, their people are very competent, and I think its going to be as smooth of a transition as possible.Theyre not going to have much time once we leave to do certain things they need to do, but theyre going to get it done.Though it helps a rival, Yankees captain and offseason Tampa resident Aaron Judge said players understand why sharing makes sense.

Even with the Yankees being relegated to the visiting clubhouse for series in April and August.Were competing, and theyre in our division and we want to win our division, Judge said.

But when theres natural disasters like that and people get affected, organizations get affected, families get affected like that, I think thats human nature to want to help people.

And I think that all that kind of comes first before the competitive side.Its like, were going to help you out but still want to kick your butt when we face you.Over the course of a six-month season, Rays officials know there will be some issues, particularly with the summer heat and rain.But they are banking on the overall quality of the facility such as the new weight room; state-of-the-art training, treatment and recovery area; expanded player dining and lounge space to offset any potential inconveniences.I saw some of the videos.

It looks outstanding.

It looks A-1, top notch, super big league, said Rortvedt, a former Yankee who was hoping his ex-mates would let him take a postgame peek.

Its a spring training complex, obviously, but the clubhouse is up to par with a lot of big-league stadiums.

So, its exciting.Judge said the Rays should enjoy their temporary stay.This is a beautiful facility, and I think everybody in this room is definitely enjoying it, so I think theyll definitely get a kick out of it, he said.

But hopefully its just for one year, and theyll get their place rebuilt..

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