McKechnie Field, baseball field located in Bradenton, Florida
McKechnie Field is a baseball stadium in Bradenton, Florida, serving spring training games since 1923 and standing as the oldest facility in the Grapefruit League. The venue holds about 8,500 spectators and primarily hosts the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Bradenton Marauders, a minor league team.
The field opened in 1923 as City Park and initially served the St. Louis Cardinals before being renamed multiple times and becoming the Pirates' home in 1969. During World War II, it functioned as a military training camp, and in the 1950s it witnessed pivotal moments in baseball's integration history.
The stadium is named after Bill McKechnie, a legendary Pirates manager, and represents the deep connection between Bradenton and baseball. It stands as a gathering place where fans and players have come together for nearly a century to celebrate and preserve the tradition of spring training.
The stadium is located on Ninth Street West in Bradenton and is easily accessible; it gets busier during spring training season. Visitors should arrive early to secure a good seat and have time to explore the grounds, as the atmosphere is relaxed and the layout is compact.
During World War II, the stadium served as a military training camp known as Camp Bradenton and Camp Weatherford before returning to its baseball purpose. This unexpected wartime role makes it a rare example of a sports venue repurposed for military use.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
