Pirates release schedule, ticket prices for spring training

BRADENTON -- It looks like 2010 is going to be a great year for the Pirates and Bradenton, with spring training starting up again and a minor league team slated to play through the summer.

On Wednesday, the Pirates announced their spring training schedule at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. They will play 16 home games, including the annual charity exhibition game against State College of Florida.

The Pirates will play their first game at the World Chamption New York Yankees' complex in Tampa on Wednesday, March 3, and will host the NL champion and cross-state rival Philadelphia Phillies in their spring training home opener on Saturday, March 6, at 1:05 p.m.

At 7:05 p.m. on Wednesday, March 10, the Pirates will host the Baltimore Orioles in a night game.

Highlights of the home schedule include:

• Two games against the World Champion New York Yankees (Monday, March 8, and Sunday, March 14)

• Two games against the Boston Red Sox (Friday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 24)

• Two games against the National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies (Saturday, March 6, and Monday, March 15)

• The annual charity game against SCF (Thursday, March 2)

Season tickets will go on sale on Monday, Nov. 16. Box seats will cost $232, reserved will be $217 and the grandstand will cost $142. The price includes tickets for every game played at McKechnie Field, including the State College of Florida game ticket. Proceeds from the game against SCF will benefit Wakeland Elementary School and the Manatee Education Foundation.

Pirates Spring Training season ticket holders will also have the first opportunity to buy their same seating location for the 70-game home schedule of the Pirates' new Florida State League affiliate that will begin playing at McKechnie Field in 2010. Season tickets to watch the Florida State League team will cost $210 for reserved seats and can be secured for a $25 deposit.

Before the individual ticket on-sale, fans will have the opportunity to purchase special packages that will guarantee tickets for the Red Sox and Yankees games. These special packages will be available via box office and Internet only from Saturday, Jan. 16, to Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The first package is for Sunday, March 7, against the Minnesota Twins; and Monday March 8, against the New York Yankees.

The second package is for Thursday, March 11, against the Tampa Bay Rays; and Sunday, March 14, against the New York Yankees.

The third package 3 is for Friday, March 19, against the Boston Red Sox; and Sunday, March 21, against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The fourth package is for Tuesday, March 23, against the Houston Astros; and Wednesday, March 24, against the Boston Red Sox.

The pricing for the packages are box seats for $36, reserved seats for $34 and grandstand for $21.

Individual spring training game tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 23. Individual game tickets are designated as Gold Level and Red Level games. This season's matchups against the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees will be Gold Level games, and all other games are Red Level games. Individual game ticket prices will be, for the nine Red Level games, box seats are $17; reserved seats are $16; and grandstand are $10.

For the six Gold Level games, box seats are $19; reserved seats are $18; and grandstand seats are $11.

For more information or to purchase season tickets beginning Monday, Nov. 16, call (941) 747-3031.

Fans can also visit the team's Web site for the complete spring training schedule and McKechnie Field information.