Williamsport Council Approves Contracts for Ballpark Renovations

The Williamsport (PA) City Council on Thursday approved construction contracts of $1.1 million for improvements to Bowman Field, home of the Williamsport Crosscutters (Single-A, New York-Penn League).  This will help prep the ballpark for a visit by the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals, which will play a game in front of Little League World Series participants on Aug. 20.  Read more here.

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.

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.

Ballpark Quirks: PNC Park’s Clemente Connection

In a series called “Ballpark Quirks,” Sports Illustrated takes a look at the distinctive features and oddities that make up each of MLB’s 30 parks. Up now: PNC Park’s Clemente connection.  Read more and view photos here.

A Review of ‘The Closer’

Interested in learning more about the Pittsburgh Pirates’ triple-decker grilled-cheese sandwich called “The Closer?”  It’s got bacon too!  Read more and view photos here.

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.