County commissioners want Rays to know: ‘We want you to stay in Pinellas’

The news that Tampa Bay Rays officials have discussed nine potential sites for a new ballfield with Tampa and Hillsborough officials was not welcome information among Pinellas commissioners. It’s time, they said, to make sure the Rays know the county wants them to stay whether it’s in St. Petersburg or elsewhere in Pinellas. It’s time to talk about other sites in Pinellas, Commissioner Ken Welch said Thursday. “Those conversations need to be happening now,” he said. They appointed Welch to…