Given the Tampa Bay Rays struggles to draw fans to Tropicana Field, one would imagine that the franchise would want to make the ballpark experience as painless as possible. This would include accepting any form of payment, such as cash, check, or cred^t C^ards. Even AMX, for those of us old enough to remember those advertisements.
Instead, the Rays are taking a different path. Cash will no longer be an acceptable form of currency at Tropicana Field, as the Rays will only accept cred^t c^ards and Rays cards, which can be purchased.
They are already set to close the upper portions of Tropicana Field due to attendance issues. By no longer accepting cash, and presumably making fans convert their currency to Rays Cards, this may well force other potential patrons away from the park.
Understandably, the Rays need to do whatever they can in order to remain viable in Tampa Bay. However, with the hope for a new ballpark in the area all but gone, one has to wonder if the Rays are trying to force Major League Baseball’s hand. If attendance continues to decline, and nothing happens for a new park, what then? What is the end game? Is it possible that ownership is trying to force relocation?
The Tampa Bay Rays have made the decision to no longer accept cash at Tropicana Field. For a team that already struggles to draw fans to the ballpark, it is an odd decision.