There is a good chance that people are buried underneath a parking lot at Tropicana Field.
The possibility was first reported a year ago that 10 possible graves could be beneath the parking lot on the ballpark grounds.
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10 Bodies could be buried underneath a parking lot at Tropicana FieldCredit: Getty
It was suggested they were left behind from an old cemetery that used to be on the site within the first two decades of the 20th century.
Now, St. Petersburg officials have approved archaeological digs after radar scans detected what could be the graves.
The council approved the next phase of the investigation, which will allow archeologists to excavate select areas of the property to determine whether it is actually burial sites.
“The purpose of phase three… is to now do the archaeological investigation, go down, see what are these anomalies,” The city’s planning director Derick Kilborn told council members at their March 5 meeting.
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Officials said if any remains are identified during the excavation, it would stop and the state historic preservation officer would be contacted to determine next steps.
The digs, however, are expected to begin after the baseball season ends, with a report on the findings expected within 90 days after work finishes.
The Tampa Bay Rays will be returning to Tropicana Field in 2026.
They were forced to play their home games at George M. Steinbrenner Field, home of the New York Yankees Triple-A affiliate, in 2025 after Hurricane Milton caused severe damage to the roof.
During their time away from the Trop, the Rays posted a 77-85 record, and missed the playoffs finishing fourth in the AL East.
Their first home game will be against the Chicago Cubs on April 6.
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Tropicana Field has undergone work ahead of the new MLB seasonCredit: Instagram @tropicanafield
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The Rays are returning to the trop in 2026Credit: Getty
Tropicana Field has undergone $60m in renovations after the Hurricane swept through the St Petersburg area.
Their new roof is made of a fiberglass composite membrane, and is complete by 24 panels, each weighing approximately 5,000 pounds.
Fans described the new panels as a ‘trash can’, but they will be glad to see other changes that have been introduced.
New turf has also been installed, alongside a new audiovisual system and lighting.
But despite the promised 20-year life-span on their new roof panels, they might not be staying in St. Petersberg for too long.
The Rays were purchased by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski for $1.7 billion in October, and he is pushing hard for a relocation back into Tampa.
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The Rays have released renderings of their proposed stadiumCredit: Instagram / raysbaseball
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet have approved the granting of 22 acres of non-conservation land for a brand new ballpark for the Rays.
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Their new ballpark is expected to seat approximately 31,000 fans, while there are also plans for retail, house, entertainment and community spaces within the site.
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