Tampa Bay Rays spring training coming to Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
Major League Baseball is returning to Walt Disney World Resort in 2023 as the Tampa Bay Rays will host a portion of the team’s spring training at at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.
Tampa Bay is coming to Disney because Hurricane Ian damaged the Rays’ facilities in Port Charlotte, Florida in September.
“We are thankful for Disney’s willingness and ability to accommodate our unexpected Spring Training needs,” Rays team president Matt Silverman said in a news release. “ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will provide our players and coaches with first-class facilities for their annual ramp up to the season.”
As part of the agreement, the Rays’ major leaguers and minor leaguers will work out at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex this spring. Major League Spring Training workouts run from Feb. 6 through March 1 with early arrivals reporting on Feb. 6. Pitchers and catchers will report the following week on Feb. 14.
“We are thrilled to be bringing Major League Baseball back to Walt Disney World Resort,” said Faron Kelley, vice president of Disney Sports. “We’re always looking for top tier events, like the Rays’ Spring Training for our guests to enjoy at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.”
Tampa Bay is entering 2023 with high expectations after making it to the playoffs for the last four seasons. This year they will once again be led by pitching ace Shane McClanahan, who was named the starting pitcher for the American League All-Star team in 2022, and shortstop Wander Franco, who is expected to anchor the Tampa Bay offense as the team goes for the AL East division title for the third time in four years.
The sports complex was the Atlanta Braves spring training home for two decades (1998-2019) and was a host site for the inaugural 2006 World Baseball Classic, which features major-league players.
