Spring Training Kicks off with Today's Black and Gold Game

BRADENTON – The Pittsburgh Pirates will open their 2013 Spring Training schedule today at noon. The Black and Gold Game presents fans their first opportunity to watch baseball at the newly-renovated McKechnie Field.

All tickets for the intrasquad contest cost only $8 and proceeds benefit the Manatee Educational Foundation, Wakeland Elementary School, and G.D. Rogers Garden Elementary School. The game will last five and one half innings. Gates will open at 10:30am for Spring Training season ticket holders and 11:00am for everyone else.

The Black and Gold Game is the first of 18 Pirates Spring Training games at McKechnie Field this season. Sunday, February 24 at 1:00pm is the Grapefruit League home opener. The Pirates will host the Braves. In addition to the 16 home Grapefruit League games, Team Spain will visit McKechnie Field for an exhibition game on Tuesday, March 5 at 1:00pm.

Season tickets and Weekend Packages can be purchased in person at the McKechnie Field ticket office, online at www.Pirates.com, or by calling 941-747-3031. Group tickets are available to parties of 15 or more and must be booked at least 72 hours in advance by calling 941-747-3031. Single game tickets can be purchased in person at the ticket office, online, or by calling 877-893-2827. Ticket prices vary by advanced sale versus day-of-game purchases, with advance sale tickets available at a $2 savings. All tickets for the Black and Gold Game are $8 regardless of the purchase date.

The McKechnie Field ticket office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00am-4:00pm, on Saturdays from 10:00am-1:00pm, and Sundays from 10:00am-1:00pm. On the day of games, the ticket office will open at 9:00am and close 30 minutes after the final out.