Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night game in Bradenton may set McKechnie Field attendance record
BRADENTON -- The game sold out the first week tickets went on sale.
But that hasn't stopped fans from trying to get the hot ticket in town on Wednesday night.
This spring's lone night game at McKechnie Field is scheduled for a 6:05 p.m. start and will feature the Detroit Tigers.
"It has potential to be our biggest game in the history of McKechnie Field," Pirates senior director of Florida operations Trevor Gooby said. "We've already sold 1,200 standing-room-only tickets. ... Weather's supposed to be really good, so, yeah, we're looking forward to a great night."
Adding lights to McKechnie Field in 2008 made night games possible, but this year's game, which is slated for tape-delay broadcast on MLB Network, was given an earlier start time to accommodate fans who work during the day and those who have to work early Thursday.
"It allows the fans that maybe work during the day that can't get out for a day game or don't want to fight the crowds on a Saturday or a Sunday. ... It's a nice change of pace," Pittsburgh General Manager Neal Huntington said.
The players enjoy an
occasional night game as well. Right-handed pitcher Vance Worley said he prefers night games to the day games.
"It's definitely different," Worley said. "Because you go every day waking up at 5 o'clock or earlier for some guys, showing up and getting your work in. And then, 'Oh by the way, you can sleep in today.' Change your routine, what are you going to do? For me, I've got a kid, so I got to wake up every day. But now I can relax and stay out of the sun for a little while and then go out and go to work. I think a lot of guys like night games. It's just different."
Of course, getting a quality opponent like the Tigers, who have won the American League Central Division title the past four years and reached the World Series in 2012, doesn't hurt attendance, either. "I'm sure they'll bring a lot of good players over," Huntington said.
This story was originally published March 18, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night game in Bradenton may set McKechnie Field attendance record."