Pittsburgh Pirates president in Bradenton to talk spring training. ‘Pretty remarkable.’
There was a collective sigh of relief from fans when a 99-day Major League Baseball lockout recently ended with players and owners reaching a collective bargaining agreement.
You can count Pittsburgh Pirates President Travis Williams among those celebrating.
“It feels great to have baseball back on the field at Pirate City and LECOM Park,” Williams told a Manatee Chamber of Commerce Headliners lunch at Pier 22 on Wednesday.
“We were just glad to get baseball back as quickly as possible. Spring Training would always happen. You need the ramp-up period. Without it you have more injuries,” he said.
The facilities at Pirate City and LECOM Park are being fully used to get players ready for the regular season.
“There is nobody sitting still. It’s pretty remarkable,” William said.
What Williams might have told the audience had the lockout not been resolved is unknown, but the speaking engagement was set several months ago, well before anyone’s crystal ball could predict when the lockout might end.
The Pirates kick off spring training season 1:05 p.m. Friday versus the New York Yankees. They will play nine Florida Grapefruit League games at home, and nine games on the road.
Jacki Dezelski, Chamber president and CEO, said she is counting the hours before that first spring training game, and that Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown will throw out the first pitch, and that Bradenton City Council member Marianne Barnebey will sing the National Anthem.
Nic Zec, one of the audience members, said the bargaining settlement was welcome news.
“Thanks for not screwing it up,” Zec said, referring to previous seasons marred by disagreements between owners and players.
When Williams talked to a Chamber audience in November 2020 via Zoom, it was after the pandemic brought an early halt to spring training in 2020, and chopped the Major League Baseball season to 60 games.
“It’s awesome to be here in person,” Williams said, after surviving a bout of COVID and two back surgeries . “The last two years feel like a lifetime.”
Pittsburgh Pirates baseball is a 53-year tradition in Bradenton. LECOM Park is the oldest spring training site in Major League Baseball. LECOM is also the third oldest facility used by MLB teams. Only Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field are older. Moreover, LECOM Park perennially gets high marks for the fan experience, Williams said.
Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, Bill Mazeroski and Andrew McCutchen are some of the storied players who have worn uniforms for the Pirates.
“LECOM Park will see that next generation of stars develop and keep forging the future of our organization,” Williams said.
He called the Pirates in Bradenton a model of how a baseball team, a city and a county can work together for the common good.
“Pirate City is truly a hub for our players development,” Williams said noting that the Bradenton Marauders, a minor league affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, are the reigning Low-A Southeast champions.
Local baseball fan Richard Bedford asked the question on the minds of many baseball lovers.
What does it mean that the National League has finally adopted the designated hitter?
The DH may give teams a little more offensive punch, and it may mean that pitchers who are throwing a strong game don’t get pulled to send in a pinch hitter, Williams said.
“No, I don’t think anyone was really against it. From a player perspective, there is more opportunity to play,” Williams said.
For information on Spring Training tickets, visit https://wwwmlb.com/pirates/tickets/spring-training, or buy tickets from the LECOM box office, 1611 9th St. W., Bradenton.
This story was originally published March 17, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
