McKechnie Field Now LECOM Park, Last-Surviving McKechnie Relative Not Happy

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.  Read more here.  Carol Montgomery (85), McKechnie’s daughter, feels “it’s a slap in the face,” despite the move by the Pirates to rename their state-of-the-art home clubhouse in McKechnie’s honor.  Read more here.

Ballpark Visit ALERT: McKechnie Field (Bradenton, FL)

MLB.com reporter Benjamin Hill recently visited McKechnie Field, home of the Bradenton Marauders (Single-A, Florida State League).  Read more and view photos here.

Pirates Unveil New Spring Training Clubhouse

PRESS RELEASE – The Pittsburgh Pirates today unveiled the club’s new Major League clubhouse at McKechnie Field, the team’s Spring Training ballpark in Bradenton, Fla.

Pirates Announce Improvements to McKechnie Field and Pirate City

PRESS RELEASE – The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced plans for two capital improvement projects to enhance baseball operations and training facilities at McKechnie Field and Pirate City.

Spring Training Attendance Records Fall in Bradenton

PRESS RELEASE – The Pittsburgh Pirates set new records for average attendance and single game attendance during the 2014 Grapefruit League season. The Pirates drew 91,046 people to 12 Spring Training home games at historic McKechnie Field.

Fans Turn Out for Spring Training at Renovated McKechnie

McKechnie Field, the summer home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home of the Single-A Bradenton Marauders (Florida State League), has undergone a $10 million renovation, and the spend appears to be paying off.  Attendance is up four percent over last year, and a record 8,541 turned out for a St. Patrick’s Day game Sunday between the Pirates and

McKechnie Field: Makeover Update

McKechnie Field, the summer home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home of the Single-A Bradenton Marauders (Florida State League), is undergoing a $10 million renovation.  County and city officials and members of the media were given a half- hour tour of the stadium Thursday to show them how the project is progressing.  Read more and view photo here.  Watch news clip here.

Own a Piece of McKechnie History

PRESS RELEASE – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders today announced that seats scheduled to be removed from McKechnie Field are available for sale. The cost is a $25 donation to Pirates Charities for each seat purchased. Proceeds from the purchase of the seats will benefit Pirates Charities, the official philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Funds Approved for Ballpark Renovations

The City of Bradenton (FL) and Manatee County have signed off on a deal that would provide $7.5 million for improvements to McKechnie Field, the spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home of the Bradenton Marauders (Florida State League).  Read more here.  Thanks to Eddie Utley for the link.

Upgrades on Deck for McKechnie Field

The City of Bradenton (FL) is considering a plan to borrow $7.5 million for upgrades to McKechnie Field, the spring home for the Pittsburgh Pirates and regular-season home for the Single-A Bradenton Mauraders (Florida State League).  Read more here