As a team participating in MiLB’s Copa initiative, the Bradenton Marauders will play as the Bradenton Barbanegras for four games this season, starting Saturday night against the Tampa Tarpons. Bradenton’s proximity to the Floridian Gulf Coast makes the region ripe with centuries-old stories of conquistadors and other seafaring explorers. To better connect the region’s maritime history to its robust, large Hispanic community, the Babanegras (“Black Beards”) moniker came to light. Read more and see uniforms here.
Earlier this month, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced a ballpark sponsorship deal that would rename their spring training facility LECOM Park. Since 1962, the ballpark had been McKechnie Field in honor of Hall-of-Famer Bill McKechnie. 
