The Rays should declare in writing whether they want to pursue an existing financing plan for a new $1.3 billion ballpark or walk away from the deal, a top county official says.

There's already uncertainty about whether or not the local legislature will approve bonds, and now the Rays have to decide how ready they are to commit to this project.

The future of the Tampa Bay Rays in Florida is in limbo, with one stadium rendered unplayable by a hurricane and financing for an already planned replacement now in doubt.

The Pinellas County Commission asked the Tampa Bay Rays this week if they're in or out when it comes to a stadium deal. The letter from board Chairwoman Kathleen Peters gives the Major League Baseball team a Sunday deadline to decide whether the club wants to proceed with a $1.

The Commission agreed to hold a new discussion at the board’s next meeting on Dec. 17. The board determined that despite the Rays’ pleas, waiting until then would not pose any problems or create additional delays because the appellate period for bond validation will not be over until Jan. 14 anyway.