Everything to know about Bradenton’s baseball spring training with Pittsburgh Pirates
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Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and sugar-sand beaches can be found at the ball club in Bradenton, which offers a one-of-a-kind spring training experience.
For baseball fans and snowbirds looking to escape the cold winters, Bradenton is beach town known for its fishing piers, shopping boutiques, family-owned restaurants, arts community and America’s favorite pastime.
For those less familiar with baseball but looking for an outdoor family-friendly activity, a spring training visit is a good opportunity to take advantage of Florida’s sunshine and watch how pro athletes up their game.
Sometimes you can even chat up some of the players or get a photo with them.
Umpires at LECOM Park in Bradenton have been saying, “Let’s play ball” in Manatee county since the Pittsburgh Pirates made the city their spring home in 1969.
Over the years, $20 million has gone into the renovation of LECOM, which opened in 1923 as McKechnie Field, in honor of Pittsburgh native, former Bradenton resident, and Hall of Fame manager Bill McKechnie.
The Pirate City complex is now an ultramodern training facility where the Pirates stay and work out during spring training.
Pirate City is located at 1701 27th Street East, and during spring the facility is open to the public where fans have a chance to watch the team run drills.
And after spring training, the baseball doesn’t stop. Catch the minor league team games with the Bradenton Marauders starting in April.
Hotels to stay near the ballpark
Pirate fans can stay within walking distance of LECOM stadium, book a room at Hampton Inn and Suites, or Spring Hill Suites by Marriott both in Downtown Bradenton.
TownPlace Suites by Marriott Sarasota Bradenton West is only a 12-minute drive to the ballpark and less than nine miles from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
Stadium parking on game day
Parking near LECOM Park 9th Street West is limited.
The stadium has two designated lots: the outfield parking lot costs $10 per vehicle, the pirates home Plate lot costs $20 per vehicle, and self-parking is also offered at the home plate lot but availability is extremely limited.
Pirates spring training season ticket holders will receive a $2 discount at any of these lots by displaying their season ticket holder ID card.
Additional parking can be found east of the ballpark on 6th Street West for $8 per vehicle.
Food & Brews
Food and drink options are plentiful restaurants in Downtown Bradenton and around the ballpark include:
- Motorworks Brewing
- Birdrock Taco Shack
- Oak & Stone
- O’Bricks Irish Pub and Martini Bar
- Tom’s Badass Bar and Grill
- Caddy’s Bradenton
- Sage Biscuit Cafe
Other local attractions
The Bradenton area has more to offer than baseball. If you’re in need of a break from fastballs and the cheering crowds, or a shift in activities that the kids can enjoy, here’s a list of attractions near the stadium:
- The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature
- ArtCenter Manatee
- Manatee Performing Arts Center
- Bradenton Riverwalk Skateboard Park
- Riverwalk Splash Park
- Village of the Arts
- Mixon Fruit Farms
- The Nest at Robinson Preserve
Fun in the sun
Beat the heat at the ballpark and cool down at one of these area beaches:
- Anna Maria Public Beach
- Holmes Beach
- Cortez Beach
- Coquina Beach
- Lido Key Beach
- Siesta Key Beach
Shopping in the area
Don’t forget to shop, a lot of boutiques to discover and high-end malls to visit like:
- Ellenton Premium Outlets
- UTC Mall
- St. Armand’s Circle
- Tampa International Mall
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This story was originally published March 18, 2022 at 3:00 PM.
