Thanks For The Memories, 2024 Marauders

With the Bradenton Marauders 2024 season concluded, a tough stretch for local baseball fans begins.

The last road trip has been made this season. Sunday’s scheduled game with the Daytona Tortugas ended the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Class-A affiliate of the Florida State League’s 14th season. The bus ride to the Marauders’ eastern division foe’s home field—Jackie Robinson Ballpark is 350 miles roundtrip.

Players, coaching staff, front office employees, and everyone connected with the club by Sunday evening had time to reflect on when it was Opening Night – April 5.

Many promotions, such as Hispanic Heritage Celebrations and backpack and t-shirt giveaways, made fans’ nights out at the ballpark even more memorable.

There will be no professional baseball games in Manatee County for the next five months. Spring training in February, first at Pirate City, then when the Pirates switch training venues to LECOM Park and have their first home game on February 23 with the visiting Minnesota Twins, is what baseball fans can circle on their calendars. Although Pirates and Marauders baseball 2025 seems far off, it will come. It always does. It happens every spring.

But, aside from the men in uniform creating memories on the field and with community members, attending games at LECOM Park is like seeing friends, new and old. The security personnel, those who work the concessions and in the merchandise store, first as familiar faces, and by season end, you become more than a customer. Name tags aren’t needed. You have earned the right to address employees on a first name basis.

Marauders games are date night for some, family night out for others, and the place to be for fans in search of autographs from the stars of tomorrow. Going to a game in the summer is a place where fans can count on and know exactly what they will be getting.

For some, working at Marauders games has an even greater meaning – career opportunities. Thomas Zinzarella served the club primarily this season as the radio broadcaster. With the FSL games also carried on MiLB TV, Zinzarella’s friendly voice took Bradenton fans through the innings of home games shown.

Personally, I’m happy for Zinzarella. Like so many in the sports broadcast industry, the 25-year-old is looking to climb the ladder with hopes of landing with an MLB club. Now completing his fourth season calling baseball, Zinzarella remains hopeful that the experience he gains from all levels of competition that he calls will make him better.

“When I wake up Tuesday, it will hit me,” said Zinzarella of the Marauders’ season being over.

Each game that Zinzarella called this season, the travels he made, and the big moments of the Marauders’ games that he witnessed have increased his value to future employers. Calling a baseball game, all nine innings alone, is probably the best experience any aspiring MLB broadcaster could hope for.

Throughout the season, Zinzarella’s energy levels during broadcasts never lost steam. Although he hasn’t found his signature call yet, I’m confident he will in the future.

“Every year, I hope to get better. I think I improved a lot this season,” says Zinzarella, who called 132 games.

Living at Pirate City, Zinzarella gives living in Manatee County a glowing review and is especially complimentary of downtown Bradenton and local beaches.

Zinzarella has very little downtime. He is scheduled to call college football next Saturday afternoon from Bulldog Stadium in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The visiting Holy Cross Crusaders will take on Bryant College in NCAA action. Marauders’ fans can listen to Zinzarella call the game broadcast on FloSports.

In saying goodbye to new friends like Zinzarella, there are many familiar faces Marauders’ fans can count on for next season. Marty, the club’s mascot, is the ambassador who welcomes fans of all ages from the opening pitch to the final out.

So much of the Marauders’ success can be traced to general manager Craig Warzecha and assistant general manager Rebekah Rivette. They are the leaders who ensure everything is in place each game so fans have a seamless night of fun.

Each time I drive past LECOM Park, between now and February, I’ll be counting down the days until baseball is back in business in Bradenton. I don’t think I will be the only one doing so.