Fans meet the 2016 Bradenton Marauders

HOLMES BEACH -- The giant Jenga game's pressure intensified with each pull of the blocks, while competitive cornhole games flanked both sides with a ticket information tent, large covered tent sporting chairs and blaring music made for a festive night.

And why not?

It was the annual Meet the Marauders event, this year taking place at Eat Here, 5315 Gulf Drive, on Tuesday.

About 200 fans flocked to the Bradenton Beach locale's parking lot to mix it up with baseball players comprising the 2016 Bradenton Marauders, the high-Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

"It's really cool to get out here and shake some hands and see some faces," said Kevin Newman, Pittsburgh's first-round draft pick in 2015.

Part of that was an autograph session to close out the event after the team was introduced to various ovations and a general introduction from general manager Rachelle Madrigal.

"We play for the fans," Newman said. "Being in the position that we're all in, even having a kid come up and ask for an autograph is still so cool. It's something you can

never take for granted."

The Marauders return some players from last year's club, which was in playoff contention until the end of the regular season.

Manager Michael Ryan also returns, and he wasn't as bold on Tuesday as he was last year when he declared a Marauders championship season was going to happen.

Instead, Ryan chose a different path with his words.

"I will guarantee you that we will out-execute, out-prepare and outperform every team every night," Ryan told the fans in attendance. "We will give you a hard nine every night of the week."

One of the new Marauders is quite familiar with Bradenton.

It's outfielder Michael Suchy, who was announced last during the team introduction ceremony.

Suchy played high school baseball at Southeast before deciding college ball at Florida Gulf Coast University was the best path toward a successful professional baseball career.

Suchy received a loud ovation when introduced, and got a thrill during spring training by walloping a home run during a visit with the Pirates to Port Charlotte last month to take on the Tampa Bay Rays.

"It was good to, obviously, be on the same field as all those big league guys, whether it be (Starling) Marte up for us or Evan Longoria with the Rays," Suchy said. "It was definitely one of those experiences that I'll never forget. And then obviously, to put that cherry on top of hitting that home run in front of (Pirates manager) Clint Hurdle and all the guys is something I'll never forget."

The season starts Thursday in Fort Myers against the Miracle.

The Marauders play twice before returning to McKechnie Field for the home opener at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday.

But before all that, fans that arrived on Anna Maria Island had the chance to meet this year's group and enjoy a laid-back atmosphere.

Ryan said it's great to meet the fans that support them in person.

And Suchy agreed.

"All events like this are always awkward in the beginning, but we definitely have guys that open up really quickly and guys that will talk to everyone and all the fans that are really open and willing to talk to us," Suchy said. "So it's really fun to see the guys interact with everyone."

This story was originally published April 6, 2016 at 12:37 AM with the headline "Fans meet the 2016 Bradenton Marauders ."