LAS VEGAS — Because of the World Baseball Classic, spring training will be a week longer in 2009. The Pirates today released their 35-game Grapefruit League schedule, which includes 19 home games (three more than last year).
The Pirates’ first game is Feb. 25 against the Phillies at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. The Pirates also will play two night games at McKechnie: March 16 against the Rays and March 27 against the Blue Jays.
The home schedule includes two games against the Phillies, two against the Rays, two against the Red Sox and one against the Yankees.
The annual charity game against Manatee County Community College is slated for April 2.
The Pirates again will use two pricing plans, depending upon the marquee value of the opponent. Tickets are now on sale via www.pirates.com or by calling 941-747-3031.
| 2009 PITTSBURGH PIRATES SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE | ||||
| Day | Date | Opponent | Site | Time |
| Wednesday | Feb. 25 | PHILADELPHIA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | Feb. 26 | Boston | Fort Myers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday | Feb. 27 | ATLANTA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | Feb. 28 | Houston | Kissimmee | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | March 1 | DETROIT | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | March 2 | CINCINNATI | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | March 3 | NETHERLANDS (WBC) | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | March 4 | MINNESOTA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | March 5 | Cincinnati | Sarasota | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday | March 6 | TAMPA BAY | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | March 7 | Minnesota | Fort Myers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | March 8 | HOUSTON | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | March 9 | BOSTON | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | March 10 | Off Day | ||
| Wednesday | March 11 | Toronto | Dunedin | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | March 12 | MINNESOTA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Friday | March 13 | Philadelphia | Clearwater | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | March 14 | NEW YORK | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | March 15 | Tampa Bay | Port Charlotte | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | March 16 | TAMPA BAY | BRADENTON | 7:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | March 17 | New York | Tampa | 7:15 p.m. |
| Wednesday | March 18 | MINNESOTA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | March 19 | Off Day | ||
| Friday | March 20 | Boston | Fort Myers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | March 21 | Cincinnati | Sarasota | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | March 22 | CINCINNATI | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Monday | March 23 | TAMPA BAY | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | March 24 | Atlanta | Orlando | 6:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | March 25 | Tampa Bay | Port Charlotte | 7:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | March 26 | Off Day | ||
| Friday | March 27 | TORONTO | BRADENTON | 7:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | March 28 | PHILADELPHIA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Sunday | March 29 | New York | Tampa | 1:15 p.m. |
| Monday | March 30 | CINCINNATI | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Tuesday | March 31 | Minnesota | Fort Myers | 1:05 p.m. |
| Wednesday | April 1 | BOSTON | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Thursday | April 2 | Cincinnati | Sarasota | 1:05 p.m. |
| MANATEE C.C. | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. | ||
| Friday | April 3 | MINNESOTA | BRADENTON | 1:05 p.m. |
| Saturday | April 4 | Minnesota | Fort Myers | 1:05 p.m. |
