The Wandering Disciple

Spring is in the air as MLB spring training camps are in full swing throughout Florida and Arizona. While camp takes on a different look this season due to COVID-19 protocols, the goal of preparing for the upcoming season and run for the World Series is still the same. Workouts continue this week and game start next week. Once games begin, limited fans will be permitted within the stadium. Spring Training concludes at the end of March. (Photo: February 20, 2019)

While much has changed over the course of the years, the game of baseball has remained pretty much the same.  The stadiums have gotten newer and fancier, but there is one spring training site that still feels like the old days.  Built in 1923, McKechnie Field is the oldest spring training field still in operation and while much of the part has been upgraded, it still maintains the old feel.  (Photo: May 24, 2010)

A gem of Florida ballparks, McKechnie Field represents an era of baseball stadiums that has been replaces by more modern ballparks. Opened in 1923, it is the second oldest stadium to host a major league baseball team. It is the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the home of the Bradenton Marauders of the Florida State League. (Photo: June 23, 2010)

Bradenton, 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 ...

Port Charlotte, Florida: The Tampa Bay Rays and Pittsburgh Pirates played eleven innings at Charlotte Sports Park before declaring Sunday’s spring training a tie 7-7. The Rays scored first in the bottom of the third inning. Shawn Riggans, Adam Kennedy and Justin Ruggiano all singled to load the bases. Carl Crawford drove home the first run of the inning with a ground ball to first. Gabe Kapler then drove home Kennedy with an RBI single to left, giving Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead. Pittsburgh cut the lead in half in the sixth inning. Andrew McCutchen tripled to center lead of the inning. McCutchen then scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Tabata to pull the Pirates within a run of the lead. The Pirates took the lead in the seventh inning. Andy LaRoche tied the game with a solo home run to left field. Brian Bixler followed with a triple to center. Bixler later scored on a ground ball by Jason Jaramillo to give Pittsburgh a 3-2 lead. Tampa Bay tied the game in the bottom of the seventh i...

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Pittsburgh Pirates are a major league baseball team from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League. The Pirates are five time world series champions. Although the region has sported a professional baseball teams since 1876, it wasn’t until 1882 for an organized a sanctioned team. The Allegheny, was formed and played games in the American Association. In 1887, the team transferred into the National League and changed their name to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. The team saw a major abandonment in 1890 as the majority of the players left the team for the American Association. This led the team to the worst season n franchise history, 23-113. The team reorganized under new ownership and they worked to resign the players that left earlier. They also picked up Lou Bierbauer from the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association. Bierbauer was left off the reserve list of the Athletics and Pittsburgh signed hi...

Bradenton, Florida: Pirate City in Bradenton is the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates as well as the base for the Pirate’s Florida operations. It is also the home to the Gulf Coast League Pirates during the summer. The facility received a major facelift in 1993. The grounds include five practice fields, batting cages and even a three story building with dorms and offices. It is the southern home of the Pirates. The Pirates keep the facility busy all year round with major and minor league baseball activity. But it is also available for rent for amateur events as well as corporate events.