SportsQuest
All games

Spring training, Fri, Mar 12, Time TBA local

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Boston Red Soxat Pittsburgh Pirates

LECOM Park, Bradenton. Fly into SRQ.

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What we know about LECOM Park

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • Downtown Bradenton and the Riverwalk. 5 min by drive. The Pirates list the Hampton Inn and Suites on 10th Street West, the SpringHill Suites on 12th Street West and the Courtyard on Riverfront Drive. The Hampton Inn is less than a mile from the ballpark, an easy walk in the morning cool.
  • Anna Maria Island and West Bradenton. 20 min by drive. The Pirates list the Compass Hotel by Margaritaville on Manatee Avenue West, on the way to the beaches. Stay here if you want the Gulf after the game.
  • University Parkway near SRQ. 20 min by drive. Chain hotels near the airport, including the DoubleTree the Pirates list, sit between Bradenton and Sarasota. This is the best base if you also plan to see the Orioles.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The ballpark sits in a city neighborhood just south of downtown Bradenton, at 9th Street West and 17th Avenue West. The Village of the Arts is next door, and the downtown hotels, the Riverwalk and the restaurants on Old Main Street are about a mile north.

Getting in from the airport

From a specialist guide
SRQ (Sarasota-Bradenton International). It is about 7 miles south of the ballpark by road, roughly a 15 to 25 minute drive depending on traffic.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Drive from SRQ, about 20 min. Outfield Lot on 9th Street West, north of the ballpark. Drive from Tampa over the Skyway, about 60 min. Take I-275 south over the Skyway, follow US 19 and US 41 south, then turn right on 17th Avenue West. Walk from downtown Bradenton, about 20 min. Main Entrance next to the ticket office at 9th Street West and 17th Avenue West.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: One soft-sided bag per person, 16 x 16 x 8 inches or smaller. Hard-sided bags and coolers are not allowed. All bags are searched, and you walk through metal detectors.
  • Cashless: LECOM Park is cashless. Concessions and the team store take credit and debit cards only.

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
The ballpark has only small official lots, so most fans park in nearby church, business and neighborhood lots and walk. Golf carts run between the official Pirates lots and the main entrance. Head north on 9th Street West toward Manatee Avenue (SR 64) to reach I-75.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Counting on a spot in the official lots. They are small and first come, first served, so arrive early or plan to pay for a neighborhood lot and walk a few blocks.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Plaza Lounge

    LECOM Park, 1611 9th Street West, Bradenton, FL 34205

    A seated bar on the first base side of the Fan Plaza with Yuengling on tap and TVs showing the game. It is a good break from the sun between innings.

    Away fans: relaxed. Spring crowds mix fans of both teams with local retirees.

  • Oak & Stone Downtown BradentonBefore or after

    1201 1st Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205

    A craft beer hall with a self-pour tap wall, pizza and wings, a few blocks from the Riverwalk. The Pirates list it among local restaurants.

    Away fans: friendly. It is a general sports bar, not a team bar.

  • Village of the ArtsDistrict

    1100 12th Avenue West, Bradenton, FL 34205

    A walkable district of artist homes, galleries, cafes and small breweries right next to the ballpark. It is the easy place to eat or drink before or after a game without moving the car.

    Away fans: welcoming. This is an artists' neighborhood, not a sports crowd.

Sidequests in Bradenton

Listed in the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Outing40 points

    Walk the Village of the Arts

    A neighborhood of artist homes, galleries and cafes sits right next to the ballpark. Walk it before first pitch and eat lunch there instead of moving the car.

    Free. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  2. Ritual65 points

    Morning workout at Pirate City

    Pirate City is the Pirates' training complex five miles east of the ballpark, and fans can watch morning workouts there. The favorite spot is between the four main fields, where you can also watch pitchers throw bullpen sessions.

    Free

  3. Outing40 points

    Manatees at The Bishop

    The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature in downtown Bradenton cares for rescued manatees and has a planetarium. It is a cool, shaded break on a hot morning or a rainout day.

    $$

  4. Landmark40 points

    De Soto National Memorial

    A National Park Service site on the Manatee River about the Spanish expedition of Hernando de Soto. Walk the short trails by the water on a non-game morning.

    Free

  5. Eat50 points

    Amish pie at Yoder's

    Yoder's, in Sarasota's Pinecraft Amish community, serves Amish home cooking and pies baked every day. It is a half hour south and an easy stop on the way to an Orioles game.

    $

  6. Double header75 points

    Second game at Ed Smith Stadium

    Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles' spring home, is 13 miles south in Sarasota. When one park plays in the afternoon and the other at night, you can see two games in one day.

    $$

  7. Outing25 points

    Bradenton Riverwalk

    A two-mile path along the Manatee River between the Green and DeSoto bridges, with fishing, a skate park and river views. It is a short drive or a long walk from the ballpark and makes a good evening stroll after a day game.

    Free. 3 hours 30 minutes after kickoff

  8. Drink25 points

    Craft beer near the Riverwalk

    Oak & Stone has a self-pour tap wall a mile north of the ballpark near the Riverwalk. It is open late, so it works after a night game.

    $$. 3 hours 30 minutes after kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of LECOM Park sits, and what you see from it.

Fans post the view from their seats, section by section. See the views at LECOM Park