Readers of Ballpark Digest and Spring Training Online were asked to select their favorite Grapefruit League venue this past March. Capturing at least 65 percent over three rounds of voting, LECOM Park was chosen as the fan favorite for the second straight year. The final round saw fans select the spring home of the Pittsburgh Pirates by a 67.9-percent to 32.1-percent margin over Hammond Stadium, spring home of the Minnesota Twins. The ballpark is also the regular-season home of the Florida State League’s Bradenton Marauders. Built in 1923 for the St. Louis Cardinals and known by many old-timers as the former spring home of the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, LECOM Park is a ballpark where Roberto Clemente gracefully patrolled the outfield, where Willie Stargell engaged the fans and where generations of Pirates greats began their seasons over the last 48 years in Bradenton. Enhancements over the past few years saw the construction of a right-field boardwalk and a center-field Tiki bar, installation of new seats and new grandstand roofs and expanded concessions.

City of Bradenton