Bradenton's McKechnie Field, built in 1922, is one of the oldest spring training stadiums in Florida's Grapefruit League and has been home to spring training baseball since 1923.

The ballpark's current tenant, the Pittsburgh Pirates, have called McKechnie Field home since 1969. The Pirates and Bradenton celebrated their 40th anniversary together during the 2008 spring training season, which included an agreement between the City of Bradenton and the Pirates to continue this partnership for another 30 years.

McKechnie Field is located at 1611 Ninth Street West near bustling downtown Bradenton, home to the South Florida Museum, Manatee Players Theatre, ArtCenter Manatee and more. The ballpark sits directly east of the nationally-acclaimed Village of the Arts, a growing neighborhood of galleries and studios where artists and artisans of various types create and sell their wares.

The Pirates have experienced escalating attendance each year since 2003 thanks to the cozy, close-to-the-action atmosphere McKechnie Field offers.  Renovations prior to the 2013 season should continue this trend to provide fan-friendly amenities and enhance the facility’s appeal as a sports tourism destination. See Video of the McKechnie Field Grand Reopening.

A $10 million upgrade at McKechnie Field will include:

• McKechnie Field will become a 360-degree ballpark with the addition of a boardwalk traversing the outfield.
• Concessions, restrooms and a specialty bar will be added on the boardwalk at centerfield.
• New, more comfortable seats will replace the existing infield seats.
• Additional seating, in the form covered outfield bleachers, will bring the ballpark’s capacity to approximately 8,500 from the current 6,500.
• Permanent roofs will replace the existing, temporary shade coverings above infield seating along the first- and third-base lines.
• Bullpens will be moved to the outfield where fans will be able to observe pitchers and catchers from the boardwalk.
• Concession stands and restrooms in the concourse will be replaced and updated.
• Additional areas will be available in the Fan Plaza for activities behind the stands.

The project is scheduled to be completed by February 2013, in time for Spring Training and McKechnie Field’s 90th anniversary.

Ticket prices at McKechnie Field have perennially been one of the lowest in the Grapefruit League. For regularly priced games, grandstand tickets can be had for $12 while "premium" box seats cost $22.

McKechnie Field is named after Pittsburgh native, former Bradenton resident and Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie.

2013 Ticket prices:  For more information, visit www.pirates.com or call (941) 747-3031.

Single Game Advanced Ticket Prices:  Infield Box: $22; Infield Reserve: $20; Baseline Box: $18; Left Field Bleachers: $14; Grandstand: $12

Individual Spring Training game tickets will go on sale Saturday, January 26, at 10:00 a.m.

"Early Bird" Pre-Sale Opportunity: Infield Box: $27; Infield Reserve: $25; Baseline Box: $23; Left Field Bleachers: $19; Grandstand: $17

Prior to the individual ticket on-sale, fans will have the opportunity to take part in an "Early Bird," online only pre-sale from January 23-25. "Early Bird" pricing is different than regular single game pricing and is an alternative purchase opportunity for fans who want to be guaranteed seats to high demand games.

Five-game Weekend Package:  This package is on sale now and includes tickets to five games for the price of four at the season ticket holder price. Prices range between $40 and $80.

*Season Tickets: Infield Box: $336; Infield Reserve: $304; Baseline Box: $288; Left Field Bleachers and Grandstand: $158

Season Tickets, on sale now, remain one of the lowest priced in the Grapefruit League, are on sale now.

*Price includes tickets for every game played at McKechnie Field, including the "Black and Gold" game ticket and the game against Team Spain. A portion of the proceeds from the "Black and Gold" intrasquad game will benefit the Manatee Education Foundation

McKechnie Field was built in 1923 and renovated in 1992 and 2008. The 2013 season is the Pirates 45th Spring Training at this location.

Parking: Neighbrhood parking, prices vary
Dimensions: 335 feet right and left field lines and 400 feet to center
Seating Capacity: 8,500 after renovations to be complete for 2013 season.

Click here for a McKechnie Field Seating Diagram

McKechnie Field is also home of the Bradenton Marauders, the Pirates Class A Florida State League affiliate

Find in Google Maps

From St. Petersburg:Go over Skyway Bridge to Exit 2 (19 South); continue on 41 South (Bradenton/Sarasota); make right turn on 17th Avenue West. McKechnie is on the right.

From Sarasota (Route 41): Take Route 41 north to 17th Avenue West; make right. McKechnie is on the left.

From Sarasota (US-301): Take US-301 north to 13th Avenue West; make left. Left onto 9th Street West. McKechnie is on the left.

From north or south on I-75: Exit 220 (220 B from north) at Route 64; go west on Route 64 to Ninth Street West; turn left. McKechnie on the left.

Traffic and Road Construction Information from the Florida Department of Transportation
Learn about important traffic and roadway conditions by visiting www.FL511.com. This service reports travel times, road construction, lane closures and more on major Florida roadways.

1918 Jacksonville
1947 Miami Beach
1954 Fort Pierce
1955-68 Fort Myers (Terry Park)
1969-2013 Bradenton (McKechnie Field)

Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, (941) 729-9177 or www.bradentongulfislands.com

Other nearby Spring Training sites
Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota, Home of the Baltimore Orioles - 13 miles to the South
Bright House Field, Clearwater, Home of the Philadelphia Phillies - 43 miles to the North
Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Home of the New York Yankees, 46 miles to the North
Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin, Home of the Toronto Blue Jays, 50 miles to the North
Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte, Home of the Tampa Bay Rays - 50 miles to the South
Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Home of the Detroit Tigers, 68 miles to the Northeast