Final Stop on the 2018 Trip: Bradenton

Wednesday was my getaway day from Florida: the sixth game in eight days and third first-time visit to a Stadium. This is Lecom Park in Bradenton, which is marking its 50th anniversary as the Pirates pre-season home. The name is new, thanks to a sponsorship deal tied to its most recent renovation.

You probably know it better by its original name, McKechnie Field.

Hall of Fame manager and Pennsylvania native Bill McKechnie retired to Bradenton, where the Braves trained for 15 years, then the Kansas City A's from 1965-'68. Bill's former team, the Pirates, took over as in 1969 -- this year marks the Bucco's 50th spring in Bradenton.

Among the recent enhancements: a center field tiki bar and a boardwalk encircling the outfield.
Below: maybe there is such a thing as too much sun. There covered bleachers, beyond the left field fence, a design hinting at the Pavilion area of Dodger Stadium.
And while the ballpark is one of Florida's oldest, it doesn't lack for modern conveniences. The video board is major league caliber.
Lecom Park supports the campaign urging baseball to retire the number-21 across the game to honor superstar and humanitarian Roberto Clemente. The other number, 53, is also retired -- in tribute to Evan Chambers, a Pirates minor leaguer who played two seasons for the local Florida State League farm club the Bradenton Marauders. He died in 2013 from an undetected heart issue.
 Looking down the left field line, from the far side of the foul pole.
 And your view from right center, taken from the Lecom Park boardwalk.
One last look at a signature Florida baseball image: a ballpark ringed by palm trees.

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