We had a friend visiting here for the week and invited him to a Spring Training baseball game at Lecom Park in Bradenton, Florida. He responded, “the games are meaningless, you don’t know the players and it’s just plain boring”. Well, he could not be more wrong.
It’s the rite of Spring. It’s special, it marvelous, it’s wonderful. It only happens in Florida and Arizona where games are held for the month of March. We went yesterday and had a ball.
The smell of hot dogs and sausage on the grill, some great cold beer, t-shirts and other spring training souvoniers….it could not be better. Lecom Park formerly known as McKechnie Field is filled with history. It’s the 50th anniversary. Some awesome players have played there for the spring annual like Willie Stargell, Roberto Clemente, Bill Mazeroski, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, Mike Schmidt and so many more.
If you get the chance, come out to the ball park. Bring the kiddies, bring your wife…..your guaranteed to have the time of your life.
Pirates Spring Training Schedule:
https://www.mlb.com/pirates/schedule/2018-03
Facts from Wikipedia about Lecom Park:
Former names- McKechnie Field (1962–2017), Braves Field (1948–1961), Ninth Street Park (1927–1947), City Park (1923–1926)
Location- 1611 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205
Owner- City of Bradenton / Operator- City of Bradenton, Pittsburgh Pirates
Capacity- 2,000 (1923), 6,602 (1993), 8,500 (2013)
Surface- Grass
Construction- Opened 1923, Renovated 1993, 2013
Next up– Spring Training at Ed Smith Stadium, home of the Baltimore Orioles.
Sarasota Post Photos
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