McKechnie Field

McKechnie Field in Bradenton, FloridaBradenton, Florida: Known as Florida’s Fenway Park, McKechnie Field in Bradenton has been a major venue of spring baseball since 1923. Baseball greats like Babe Ruth, Ted Williams and Roberto Clemente along with the stars of today and the future stars have played in the confines of this historic stadium.

The stadium was built in 1923 as the spring training home of the St. Louis Cardinals. Throughout the years, it has been the spring training home to the Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Braves, Oakland Athletics and since 1969 the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The stadium located in the heart of downtown is built with the Florida Spanish Mission architecture that is popular in the region. There is seating for 6,602 fans with the bulk of the reserved seating area covered by roof, a great feature for the hot Florida sunshine.

In 1993 the stadium received a major facelift. The metal chair were replaced by modern stadium seating and the old wooden bleacher were also replaced. While modernizing the stadium, a great deal of care was taken to maintain the vintage feel of the stadium.

McKechnie Field saw another major renovation in 2008 in conjunction to the forty year anniversary of the Pirates in Bradenton. During this recent renovation, the stadium was equipped with lighting, allowing for the first ever night play in the stadiums history. The renovations also included a new visitors clubhouse, press area and renovations to the home clubhouse.

Also in celebration of the fortieth anniversary, the Pittsburgh Pirates renewed their lease with the city of Bradenton for another 30 years. This commits the Pirates to Bradenton through the 2037 season. The relationship between the Pirates and Bradenton is the third longest association behind the Phillies/Clearwater and Tiger/Lakeland.

In 2010, a new chapter of McKechnie history began with the inaugural season of the Bradenton Marauders. The Marauders are the Florida State League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They moved to Bradenton following a swap with the Cincinnati Reds affiliate in nearby Sarasota. The new partnership returns a minor league club to McKechnie for the first time since the Bradenton Growers in 1926. The Marauders will play a 70 game home schedule that runs from April through September.

With the long term commitment by the Pirates as well as the addition of the Marauders, baseball at McKechnie Field will continue to entertain the citizens of Bradenton through many years to come.

For photos of the stadium, visit my McKechnie Field photo gallery.

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