Spring training opens with Pirates reporting to Bradenton
Play ball!
Spring training officially opened Wednesday in Bradenton when pitchers and catchers reported at Pirate City.
While Pittsburgh Pirates players have filtered into town for offseason workouts and to get a head start on the upcoming season. Wednesday was the first day they could officially report.
The first workout will happen Friday after players will check into Pirate City on Thursday for physicals.
"It is unique giving our guys a whole day for physicals and testing (Thursday) and just a chance to have our coaches meet and go over everything," Pirates director of Florida operations Trevor Gooby said. "And then Friday morning kick off the first workout."
Position players are slated to report Monday with the first full squad workout taking place Tuesday.
Fans can watch the action from roped off areas, while also attempting to snag an autograph or two from favorites following the workouts as they depart the field.
On Monday, Feb. 29, the Black and Gold exhibition game begins action at McKechnie Field, the venerable home to Pirates spring training since 1969.
Gooby pinpointed a few home games on the 2016 schedule fans will want to see.
They include the opener against the Detroit Tigers on March 2, the Boston Red Sox on March 9 and the Tampa Bay Rays on March 11.
"It gives our fans a chance to see both hometown teams, the Pirates and the Rays," Gooby said. "The Rays always do a great job of bringing a great amount of their starting lineup, because it's right in their back yard."
A number of games are on the cusp of having nothing but standing-room-only tickets available.
"What we tell fans is if they are waiting to buy tickets the day of the game, a majority of our games have probably gone to standing-room only," Gooby said. "So we really try to encourage fans to buy tickets prior to the day of."
There's also a couple new items this spring when it comes to watching the Pirates. Twelve of the 16 home games at McKechnie Field are being televised on Root Sports in Pittsburgh.
Fans will get a chance to soak up a shaded area called the Cool Today Lounge in the plaza near the main plaza of the stadium along the first-base side. It will hold about 40 people with tables, chairs and six large canvas umbrellas.
It's free to anyone with a ticket.
"People will be able to hang out and just enjoy the weather that we have," Gooby said.
This story was originally published February 17, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Spring training opens with Pirates reporting to Bradenton ."