ST. PETERSBURG -- Hillsborough County officials can fantasize as much as they want about moving the Rays from Tropicana Field, but it won't to happen, says St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster. The city's lawyers have even threatened legal action against anyone who interferes with the city's lease with the Rays, which runs through 2027.

On Friday, Foster got a call from Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan, who has welcomed the discussion of moving the Rays as part of a larger effort to keep baseball in Tampa Bay. Hagan asked for the two of them to sit down and discuss the matter. Foster said they had a cordial discussion and said they will meet probably next week to "make sure everyone is on the same page."

Foster said he will deliver one message to Hagan.

"If he supports baseball in this region, he has to support baseball in this town," Foster said Wednesday at City Hall.

Michael Van Sickler, Times staff writer

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