Celebrating 100 years of baseball in Bradenton highlights the arrival of Spring Training for the Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates and the City of Bradenton will be recognizing “100 years of baseball in Bradenton” as the Pirates begin their 55th season of spring training at their southern home.

The first official workout for pitchers and catchers is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, at Pirate City, with the first full squad workout scheduled for Monday, February 20. The Pirates will once again offer free viewing of workouts to fans at Pirate City beginning at 9:00 a.m. on February 15.

Following 10 days of workouts at Pirate City, the Pirates are scheduled to host the Toronto Blue Jays in the spring training opener at LECOM Park on Saturday, February 25. In addition to the return of fan engagement at Pirate City, the Pirates will be expanding fan access at LECOM Park once exhibition games begin.

Saturday, February 18 marks the return of the Pirates Spring Training Block Party, the official start to spring training on Main Street in downtown Bradenton. The event will take place from 5:00-9:00 p.m. and will feature free autograph sessions from Pirates players, a kids zone, live music and more.

“We are proud to be a stable presence in this community for 55 years and have developed what truly is the model relationship between a community and team,” said Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting. “During that time, together with the City of Bradenton and Manatee County, we have attracted a countless number of visitors and new residents to the area. We are thrilled to once again welcome fans back to Pirate City and LECOM Park to further express our appreciation for their support.”

Major League Baseball has been a fabric of Manatee County and the City of Bradenton since the St. Louis Cardinals held spring training there in 1923. In addition to the Cardinals (1923-24, 1930-36), the Philadelphia Phillies (1925-27), Boston Red Sox (1928-29), Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1938-40, 1948-1962) and Kansas City/ Oakland Athletics (1963-68) all called Bradenton home prior to the arrival of the Pirates in 1969.

“The relationship between the City of Bradenton and the Pirates is very special,” said Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown. “The depth of that relationship is evident in the players who take the time to be a part of the community with our youth and the number of players who come back to live in the Bradenton area full time after their career. We’re so happy to have them here … as players, as retirees, as businessmen.”