Bradenton Herald

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Spring training | Baltimore Orioles pitchers, wood bats too much for State College of Florida in 6-1 defeat

Wood bats and big-league arms were two new things the State College of Florida baseball team encountered Friday at Ed Smith Stadium against the Baltimore Orioles.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

SCF to battle Baltimore Orioles on Friday, use own pitchers

The Manatees gained national attention in 2009 with a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which boasted a lineup full of minor leaguers, such as current star Andrew McCutchen.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Spring training | Pittsburgh Pirates set attendance record in home finale

BRADENTON -- One of the perks of being a Pittsburgh Pirates spring season-ticket holder is you get to pass through the gates 30 minutes before everyone else.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING PHOTOS

Pirates host the Twins in final home spring training game

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Pittsburgh Pirates still have decisions to make before season opens next week

One of the players fighting for a bench spot with the Pittsburgh Pirates hasn't played since taking a pitch to the shoulder.

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Spring training | The war at home: Collisions at plate part of game for catchers

So how do teams prepare for home-plate collisions? "We don't," Pittsburgh Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Spring training | John McDonald enjoys debut with Pittsburgh Pirates

John McDonald took the field Friday wearing a number usually reserved for a wide receiver. Rather than a colorful nameplate, a piece of paper with his name in bold black and white type hung above his locker.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Commentary | Rays' Alex Cobb shows toughness by overcoming adversity

Alex Cobb embraces adversity as if it's his best friend.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Pittsburgh Pirates front office has faith in starting rotation

The Pittsburgh Pirates know all about the delicate state of a pitching staff and how it makes a team succeed.

FLORIDA SPRING TRAINING

Spring training | Pirates' Phil Irwin no stranger to adversity

BRADENTON -- Similar to the balk rule, retractable roofs and interleague play, Tommy John surgery is a once-foreign concept that has become an everyday piece of professional baseball.