Pirates hammer new attendance records

BRADENTON — The Pittsburgh Pirates set spring training records for average attendance and single game attendance this year.

The team, which plays in McKechnie Field in downtown Bradenton, drew 91,046 people to 12 games in March, according to a release. That breaks down to an average of 7,587 per game, which bested the previous average attendance mark of 6,229 per game set last year. The attendance of 8,566 on March 22, a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, set a new single game record, the team says.

McKechnie Field underwent a $10 million renovation following the 2012 season, a project supported by funds from the team, the city of Bradenton and Manatee County. The Pirates have held spring training there since 1969.

“The Pirates are humbled by the support that we received this year at McKechnie Field, from Pirates fans living in the Bradenton area and the thousands who have visited from Pittsburgh and beyond for an opportunity to watch their baseball team play in the 'Friendly City,'” Pirates President Frank Coonelly says in the release.