Spring Training Special Events Planned By Pirates

There are important days baseball fans want to remember as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2025 spring training season approaches.

Once the Super Bowl has been played, that means Major League Baseball is open for business. This coming Wednesday, February 12, is the first official day of reporting for pitchers and catchers at Pirate City. The first full-squad workout is on February 17.

The Pirates’ 31-game Grapefruit League schedule starts on Saturday, February 22, in Sarasota with the Baltimore Orioles. The next day, Sunday, February 23, is Pittsburgh’s home opener at LECOM Park, welcoming the Minnesota Twins with the first pitch at 1:05 p.m.

The annual Pirates Block Party comes on Saturday, February 15, at Old Main Street in downtown Bradenton, between 3rd Avenue and Manatee Avenue. There is no cost to this event that is scheduled between 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For Pirates fans, this could be a chance to meet some of your favorite players, get some autographs, enjoy live music, and check out street vendors.

Several Pirates’ alumni are scheduled to appear at selected home games at LECOM Park throughout the Grapefruit League schedule to sign autographs. Once inside the ballpark, fans will have an opportunity to meet Pittsburgh baseball legends. The schedule appears as the following -

• February 23:  Mike LaValliere 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• March 2: Steve Blass 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• March 14: Jim Leyland 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
• March 15: Clint Hurdle 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• March 22: Bob Walk 11:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.

There are 15 home games slated for the Pirates this spring training season. The final home game at LECOM Park is on Saturday, March 22, with the Orioles.

One special note concerning the Pirates’ home schedule – while most games are set to begin at 1:05 p.m., there are two scheduled evening starts at LECOM Park. Friday, March 14, when the Detroit Tigers come to Bradenton, this game has a 6:05 p.m. start. On March 10, the Orioles-Pirates game at LECOM Park will also be played under the lights at a 6:05 p.m. start.

The Bradenton Marauders, Pittsburgh’s Class-A minor league affiliate in the Florida State League, has their home Opening Night set for Tuesday, April 8, with the visiting Palm Beach Cardinals. The Marauders are scheduled to play 132 games, including 66 home games and 66 road games.