First ever night game at McKechnie Field

Cincinnati Reds @ Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton. Both teams have split squads as they played each other in Sarasota this afternoon. Game time was set for 7:05 pm for the first night game in McKechnie Field history. But right now the tarp is on the field waiting for a band of thunderstorms heading this way. It is 7:38 and it has rained yet. We could be done with the festivities and into the 3rd inning by now.

The Pirates have trained here for 40 years.

We received a commemorative mug upon entering the park tonight.

Nice old, stadium with a great atmosphere. We are sitting on row 17 almost directly behind home plate. It is covered so if it does rain we should stay dry at least until we leave.

I visited the Pirates facility here back in the early 90s and they have done a lot of improvements since. That day the team was on the road and a lot of starters stayed behind. It was back the last time Pittsburgh was good. I watched the players hit in the batting cages that day. I took a picture of Doug Drabek and obtained autographs from Jose Lind, Doug Drabek, Bobby Bonillia and Barry Bonds. There is a story to go with that one. I actually have two autographs from Bonds that day. He didn't like his first one, scribbled it out and then luckily (I guess) signed again. It was the only one he signed while walking to his car. There were only about 6 - 8 people wanting him to sign, but he couldn't spend 3 minutes.

Now it is 7:46 pm...no rain, no game. We could be heading into the fourth inning.