McKechnie Field

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McKechnie Field is a baseball field located in Bradenton, Florida. The stadium was built in 1923 and holds 6,532 people. It is the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Today's grandstand was built as part of a renovation in 1993.

Plans are in the works to renovate the ballpark and add lights in time for the 2008 spring training, and minor leagues have shown interest in fielding a team at the venerable field after the lights are installed to allow night games. Night games have never been played at the ballpark throughout its history of more than 80 years. Such Pirates as Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell and Bill Mazeroski have played at McKechnie, as well as Derek "Operation Shutdown" Bell before his much-discussed departure after a fallout with management over his playing time.

Picturesque McKechnie's nostalgic charms in its city neighborhood appeal to many baseball traditionalists and ballpark enthusiasts, and some consider the cozy facility "Florida's spring training Fenway." While the Buccos have fallen upon hard times every season since the early 1990s, pennants flapping in the outfield and Bradenton's warm spring breezes celebrate the franchise's many World Series, National League and division championships from happier eras.