Sports
A Chill in the Air Turns Thoughts to Spring Training
The Pittsburgh Pirates released their spring training schedule and ticket prices today. Don't miss a chance to get your tickets before the snowbirds snap them up.
Tickets go on sale today for the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training games. The Pirates will host 15 home games at McKechnie Field, the southern home of the Pirates since 1969.
The 29-game Florida schedule will include an intrasquad “Black and Gold” game on Friday, March 2. The 2012 Grapefruit League season opener will be against the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday, March 3, in Dunedin.
The home opener will be against the Blue Jays at McKechnie Field on Sunday, March 4, at 1:05 p.m.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Pirates Spring Training Season Tickets are priced as follows:
- Infield Box (Box 1-14) $278
- Infield Reserve $263
- Outfield Box (Box 15-22) $248
- Grandstand $158
The price includes tickets for every game played at McKechnie Field, including the “Black and Gold” game ticket. A portion of the proceeds from the “Black and Gold” game will benefit the Manatee Education Foundation.
Find out what's happening in Bradentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Current season ticket holders will be receive their renewal forms beginning today and will have until January 6 to renew their seats for the 2012 season.
Pirates Spring Training season ticket holders will also have the opportunity to purchase season tickets for the Pirates Florida State League affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders, who have a 70-game home schedule. The Marauders begin their third season at home on April 5 against the St. Lucie Mets. Season tickets for the Marauders are $245 for reserved seats to all 70 home dates.
For the fifth straight year, the Pirates are scheduled to play a night game at McKechnie Field when they host the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, March 26, at 7:05 p.m. The game will mark the third year in a row that the Pirates have
played the Orioles under the lights at McKechnie Field.
Other highlights of the 2012 home schedule include:
- A game against the A.L. East Champion New York Yankees (Tuesday, March 6)
- Two games against the N.L. East Champion Philadelphia Phillies (Monday, March 12, and Friday, March 16)
- Three games against the A.L. Wild Card Champion Tampa Bay Rays (Saturday, March 17, Thursday, March 22, and Friday, March 30)
- A game against the A.L. Central Champion Detroit Tigers (Friday, March 23)
The entire schedule follows:
2012 PITTSBURGH PIRATES SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
Day Date Opponent Site
Friday March 2 Black and Gold Game BRADENTON
Saturday March 3 Toronto Dunedin
Sunday March 4 Toronto BRADENTON
Monday March 5 Baltimore (ss) Sarasota
Tuesday March 6 New York BRADENTON
Wednesday March 7 Toronto (ss) BRADENTON
Thursday March 8 Philadelphia Clearwater
Friday March 9 Boston Fort Myers
Saturday March 10 Minnesota BRADENTON
Sunday March 11 Tampa Bay Port Charlotte
Monday March 12 Philadelphia BRADENTON
Wednesday March 14 Baltimore Sarasota
Thursday March 15 Minnesota Fort Myers
Friday March 16 Philapelphia BRADENTON
Saturday March 17 Tampa Bay BRADENTON
Sunday March 18 Minnesota Fort Myers
Tuesday March 20 New York Tampa
Wednesday March 21 Boston BRADENTON
Thursday March 22 Tampa Bay BRADENTON
Friday March 23 Detroit BRADENTON
Saturday March 24 Houston BRADENTON
Sunday March 25 Houston (ss) Kissimmee
Monday March 26 Batlimore BRADENTON
Tuesday March 27 Philadelphia Clearwater
Wednesday March 28 Tampa Bay Port Charlotte
Thursday March 29 Minnesota BRADENTON
Friday March 30 Tampa Bay BRADENTON
Saturday March 31 Baltimore BRADENTON
March 31 Minnesota Fort Myers
Sunday April 1 Toronto Dunedin
Monday April 2 Philadelphia Philadelphia
Tuesday April 3 Philadelphia Philadelphia
Wednesday April 4 Workout Pittsburgh
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