Attending a Pirates Game at LECOM Park

From a March 21, 2024 visit to the stadium.

Bradenton’s LECOM Stadium dates back to 1923 and it manages to hold its old school charm of the roaring 1920s with modern amenities of the 2020s sprinkled into the mix. The Pirates, have called LECOM Park home since 1969.

Upon entering the stadium, fans are greeted by ushers, most of retirement age, wearing nametags along with their hometowns. Many of the fans in the stands of the same age demographic may be neighbors of the ushers in the local communities.

Once you’re in the stadium. From foul pole to foul pole, it’s all stadium.  Walking into the stadium from the entry gate, you’re right behind home plate.  There’s only three or four rows of seats in front of the walkway. The covered grandstands from first base to third base are provide great views.

Seats down the foul lines are close to the field and provide equally good views.

The wide concourse behind the first base side of the park is where fans can find plenty of food, drink and souvenirs available.  There’s bars and concession stands, picnic tables, both open and covered, and even an area on turf with very comfortable looking deck chairs.

The food offerings are basic ballpark fare with the only name brand offered being a Smashburger Express tent.  The burgers sure smelled good.

The Plaza Lounge is a seated bar with Pennsylvania-based Yuengling on tap and televisions showing the game for those taking a break from inside the stadium.

Climb up a flight of stairs and you’re walking the outfield perimeter. The Bradenton Park offers a left field bleacher section with completely covered rows of seats with backs.

During a Thursday night visit on the first night of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, the Kona Bar in centerfield showed basketball games along with the game broadcast and the MLB Network.

While you disappear from sight of the game, behind the batter’s eye in centerfield, there’s a gallery of photos on the wall of former Bradenton Marauders who have advanced into the big leagues.  It’s an impressive collection featuring the likes of Gerrit Cole, Tyler Glasnow, Ke’Bryan Hayes and Mitch Keller.

The LECOM Park public address announcer was very informative throughout the game even offering up scoring tips for those keeping track of the game in their souvenir programs.  The Pirates souvenir game program featured the 40-man rosters of all visiting teams making the trip to Bradenton during the season.

LECOM Park is located just south of downtown Bradenton and there’s plenty of places to eat and drink for pre- and post-game gatherings.  Parking is a premium very close to the stadium.  There’s a lot behind the left field area of the stadium and plenty of local offerings.  The closer to the park you get, the more the price goes up.

The atmosphere at LECOM is a very friendly one and makes for an enjoyable outing at the ballpark and ticket prices at LECOM Park have perennially been one of the lowest in the Grapefruit League.

Pirates Spring Training Ticket Prices & Information

2023 Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training Season Tickets and 3-Game Flex Packs are on sale now. Single Game tickets go on sale January 20,

Call (941) 747-3031 or visit  www.mlb.com/pirates/tickets/spring-training

Directions to LECOM Park

Find in Google Maps

From St. Petersburg: Go over Skyway Bridge to Exit 2 (19 South); continue on 41 South (Bradenton/Sarasota); make right turn on 17th Avenue West. McKechnie is on the right.
From Sarasota (Route 41): Take Route 41 north to 17th Avenue West; make right. McKechnie is on the left.
From Sarasota (US-301): Take US-301 north to 13th Avenue West; make left. Left onto 9th Street West. McKechnie is on the left.
From north or south on I-75: Exit 220 (220 B from north) at Route 64; go west on Route 64 to Ninth Street West; turn left. McKechnie on the left.

Traffic and Road Construction Information from the Florida Department of Transportation
Learn about important traffic and roadway conditions by visiting www.FL511.com. This service reports travel times, road construction, lane closures and more on major Florida roadways.

Pittsburgh Pirates Florida Spring Training History

1918: Jacksonville
1947: Miami Beach
1954: Fort Pierce
1955-68: Fort Myers (Terry Park)
1969-present: Bradenton (LECOM Park)

Pirates Spring Training Attendance

(2010-20)