Pirates Return in February to Friendly Confines of LECOM Park
WRITTEN BY LISA NEFF
The Pittsburgh Pirates settle in Bradenton in February to capture hearts, build momentum, and train for the long season ahead.
And boosters of the Bucs will pack LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., seeking autographs, savoring hot dogs, basking in the return of spring ball and hoping the preseason preparation propels their team through the regular season — and into October.
Yes, the 2026 spring training season begins in late February and Bradenton will welcome the Pirates to LECOM for just over a month of America’s favorite pastime.
Spring training in Florida dates back more than a century to 1888, when the Washington Nationals trained in Jacksonville for the regular season. Bradenton’s field was built in 1923 and the Pirates — the sixth Major League team to call Bradenton home — arrived in 1969.
The team comes to condition bodies, hone skills, test strategies, and create chemistry.
The business communities and government leadership welcome spring training, an economic driver not just for the Bradenton area but across the Sunshine State with an estimated annual economic impact of $687 million, according to the Florida Sports Foundation.
As for the fans, they turn out for a tradition that involves seeing the major competition and big-league ball players in intimate ballparks.
“Spring training is one of the best times of the year for fans to get autographs,” said Jeff Podobnik, the Pirates’ vice president for Florida/Dominican operations,.
He added a tip: “Make sure you get to the park right when the gates open and head down by the home clubhouse in right field. We created an autograph zone for the fans right as the players are coming and going out of the clubhouse.”
Major League Baseball’s preseason opens Feb. 20 with a couple of games. On Feb. 21, MLB’s full rooster of teams in Arizona’s Cactus and Florida’s Grapefruit leagues play.
Under the direction of manager Don Kelly, the Pirates open spring training Feb. 21 in Sarasota, against the Baltimore Orioles, and then return to Bradenton for the home opener.
“We are excited to kick off the spring training season at LECOM Park on Sunday, Feb. 22 versus the Tampa Bay Rays,” said Podobnik. “The following day, we host the New York Yankees.”
The Pirates’ spring-training schedule consists of 31 games, 16 of them at LECOM.
Homestands include a game against the St. Louis Cardinals March 5 — the first time hosting them since 1998, Podobnik said.
Next up, on March 6, the Pirates take on the Philadelphia Phillies. “Always a great matchup,” Podobnik noted.
Highlighting the short season will be matchups between MLB clubs and international teams preparing for the 2026 World Baseball Classic. On March 3, the Pirates will host Team Colombia, marking their fourth all-time matchup against a World Baseball Classic team. Previous opponents included the Netherlands in 2009, Spain in 2013, and Dominican Republic in 2017.
Another highlight is the annual Spring Breakout game that serves as a prospect showcase. The Detroit Tigers prospects take on the Pirates prospects at LECOM on March 20.
“We hosted the first-ever spring breakout game in 2024,” Podobnik said. “This year’s game includes potential matchups of MLB’s Nos. 1 and 2 prospects Konnor Griffin (Pirates) and Kevin McGonigle (Tigers).”
The Pirates play the Houston Astros on St. Patrick’s Day at LECOM and end the spring season hosting the Atlanta Braves on March 23. “We finish the season with six home games in seven days,” said Podobnik.
All that spring play leads to March 26 — MLB’s Opening Day — with a 14-game slate, including the Pirates facing the Mets in New York.
Not all Pirates depart Bradenton at spring training’s end. The team maintains a year-round presence in the city.
“The Florida operations staff, Bradenton Marauders staff, and several player development staff all live in the Bradenton area,” Podobnik said. “We believe in giving back to our community. Several of the staff sit on community boards, nonprofits, and other groups in the Bradenton area.”
He added that Bradenton Marauders and their mascot Marty attended 130 events in 2025.
The Marauders are the Pirates’ Single-A affiliate and, when spring training ends, their season begins.
The team opens its regular season on the road April 2, playing the Dunedin Blue Jays. The first homestand begins April 7, with a six- game series versus the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Altogether, the Marauders’ regular season features 66 home games, a summer of baseball, and community fun that concludes with a six-game series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers Sept. 1-Sept. 6.
The summer schedule also includes continued work to improve and expand the experience at Ninth Street West and 13th Avenue West in Bradenton, as the City Park Project moves forward to create a hub for economic and recreational activities.
Plans call for expanding LECOM Park to include a third field, additional parking and facilities, along with a public park, concession and market space, public art, and areas for after-school and community programs.
The project partnership involves the city of Bradenton, Manatee County, the School District of Manatee, and the Police Athletic League, and the targeted completion date is mid-2028.
“The next stage is to complete stormwater design and begin construction on that portion of the project, which will prepare the site for vertical construction,” said Tiffany K. Shadik, Bradenton’s public information manager.
The construction on stormwater improvements is planned to begin after spring training concludes,.
Sso spring at LECOM Park is all about sunshine, sliders, and spring training.
“We are excited to welcome the Pittsburgh Pirates back to Bradenton,” Shadik said. “Spring training brings visitors to our community, supports local businesses, and gives both residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy everything Bradenton has to offer.”
For tickets and information:
LECOM Park is at 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton.
For more about Pirates spring training, including ticket details, go to mlb.com/pirates/spring-training or call 941-747-3031.
For more about Marauders baseball, go to bradentonmarauders.com or call 941-747-3031.
Spring training: By the numbers
The Florida Grapefruit League hosts 15 Major League Baseball teams.
In 2025, 1,448,778 fans attended 231 Florida spring training games, for an average of 6,272 fans per game, according to the Florida Sports Foundation.
At Bradenton’s LECOM Park in 2025, the Pirates played 15 games for a total attendance of 86,124, averaging 5,742 fans per game. The largest crowd, 7,568, attended the March 22 game when Pirates played the Baltimore Orioles.
Since 2000, 37,180,383 fans have attended spring training games in Florida.