Pirates Set Spring Training Records

BRADENTON -- The Pittsburgh Pirates set new records for average attendance and single game attendance during the 2014 Grapefruit League season. The Pirates drew 91,046 people to 12 Spring Training home games at historic McKechnie Field.

The average attendance at McKechnie Field this spring was 7,587 per game, surpassing the prior high mark of 6,229, set in 2013. A new single-game attendance record was also established. The game between the Pirates and the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, March 22 drew 8,566 fans to the 91-year-old ballpark.

“The Pirates are humbled by the support that we received this year at McKechnie Field, from Pirates fans living in the Bradenton area and the thousands who have visited from Pittsburgh and beyond for an opportunity to watch their baseball team play in the ‘Friendly City’”, said Pirates President Frank Coonelly. “The attendance records set this spring reflect the remarkable excitement for Pirates baseball that we have seen since October 1, 2013 when the city of Pittsburgh showed its love for its baseball franchise.  The Pirates thank our fans and friends in Bradenton for giving us such a tremendous start to the 2014 season.”

Highlighting the pilgrimage of Pirates fans to Bradenton were seven sellout crowds, including the highest attendance mark ever for a night game at McKechnie Field on Thursday, March 20. The Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles played under the lights before 8,186 fans.