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.

Renovations prior to the 2008 spring training season included a new visitor's clubhouse, a new press lounge and lights. McKechnie Field hosted its first night game in history on March 19. Improvements also included a renovation of Pirate City, the team's southern headquarters, with new offices, player dormitories and a fifth practice field.

This marked McKechnie Field's second major renovation. In 1993, the Spanish mission-style ballpark was renovated with careful attention to preserving the intimate, old -time atmosphere that led USA Today to dub it the "Fenway Park" of spring training stadiums.

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. About one-third of the 6,602 seats are covered by an overhang and every seat provides an open view to the action.

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 $10 while "premium" box seats cost $20.

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

Single game tickets will go on sale Saturday, January 21 at 10 a.m. Ticket prices will vary according to the opponent. Matchups against the Phillies, Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers and Rays will be Gold Level games. All other games will be considered Silver Level games. Season tickets are on sale now ranging from $158-278.

• Silver Level Single Game Ticket Prices: (7)

Infield Box	$20.00
Infield Reserve	$18.00
Outfield Box	$16.00
Grandstand	$10.00

• Gold Level Single Game Ticket Prices: (8)

Infield Box	$22.00
Infield Reserve	$20.00
Outfield Box	$18.00
Grandstand	$12.00

"Early Bird" Pre-Sale Opportunity
Prior to the individual ticket on-sale, fans will have the opportunity to take part in an "Early Bird" pre-sale from January 18-20. "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 Gold Level games.

• Silver Level "Early Bird" pre-sale Ticket Prices: (7)

Infield Box	$25.00
Infield Reserve	$23.00
Outfield Box	$21.00
Grandstand	$15.00

• Gold Level "Early Bird" pre-sale Ticket Prices: (8)

Infield Box	$27.00
Infield Reserve	$25.00
Outfield Box	$23.00
Grandstand	$17.00

Season Tickets

Season Tickets, which remain one of the lowest priced in the Grapefruit League, will go on sale in October 2011 in the following pricing categories:

• Season Ticket Prices:

Infield Box	$278.00*
Infield Reserve	$263.00*
Outfield Box	$248.00*
Grandstand	$158.00*

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

Pitchers and catchers report on February 18 with first workout on February 19. Position players report on February 23 with first full squad workout on February 24.

Link to 2012 Pirates Regular Season Schedule

McKechnie Field was built in 1923 and renovated in 1992. This is the Pirates 44th 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: 6,562

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)
1969-2012 Bradenton (McKechnie Field)

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