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Old 02-20-2009, 10:39 PM
 
5 posts, read 12,308 times
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I'm looking into coming down to Bradenton for spring training. What would be the best area to stay in? Could someone recommend a hotel? I've heard that staying close to McKechnie Field might not be the best thing to do. Thanks in advance for any help.
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Old 02-21-2009, 06:29 PM
 
Location: Florida Suncoast
132 posts, read 325,190 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mook68 View Post
I'm looking into coming down to Bradenton for spring training. What would be the best area to stay in? Could someone recommend a hotel? I've heard that staying close to McKechnie Field might not be the best thing to do. Thanks in advance for any help.
I agree that staying close to McKechnie Field may not be the best way to spend your time in Florida.

In case you are not aware, McKechnie Field is where the Pirates play, but their training camp is called Pirate City, about 15 minutes away, at
1701 27th St E, Bradenton, FL. Click on the satellite view for this address on Google maps.

McKechnie Field address is 1611 9th Street West Bradenton Fl - you'll want to google map it as well.

I would stay at a hotel on either University Pkwy at the Sarasota/Manatee County line or on Fruitville Rd in Sarasota. You'll find newer motels like Hampton Inns, etc in this area. I would stay at a place near I-75, as this will make it easier for you to check out both Pirate City and games at McKechnie Field.
We've stayed here before and can recommend:
americinnsarasotahotel dot com

You can also stay directly across from the Sarasota/Bradenton airport (SRQ). This will put you a little closer to McKechnie Field. If you choose to do this, good choices are:
HILTON GARDEN INN
8270 North Tamiami Trail

COURTYARD SARASOTA-BRADENTON BY MARRIOTT
850 University Parkway
Across the street from SRQ

HYATT PLACE SARASOTA

I really like McKechnie Field. It has a lot of character and is a great atmosphere. The surrounding neighborhood is not the nicest (neither is the neighborhood around Pirate City), but who cares as long as you are not hanging out there at night.

Since the Rays have moved spring training to Charlotte County beginning this year, you'll find tickets tough to get for Pirate games against them due to the fact Rays fans from St Pete and Tampa will find Bradenton a hour closer than the trek down to Port Charlotte. Yankee games sell out quickly as do Red Sox games, as tickets are harder to get for these teams' spring training facilities and their fans tend to travel. Most other games you should have no problem.

Don't judge this area of Florida by the older neighborhoods you'll find in these areas of Bradenton. Sarasota, just 15 minutes or so away, is quite different and one of the most beautiful parts of Florida. If you can combine a trip to see the Pirates plus the white sand beaches of Siesta Key in Sarasota, you'll have the best of both worlds.

Joe
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Old 02-21-2009, 10:48 PM
 
5 posts, read 12,308 times
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Thanks for all of the info! I really appreciate it. I'm glad that I found this forum.
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Old 02-22-2009, 06:06 AM
 
Location: SWFL
321 posts, read 1,029,006 times
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Seated tickets for every Rays home spring training game at Charlotte Stadium are sold out and have been for weeks. GA tickets may still be available, and get you access to a grass berm.

If you do stay in Sarasota (I agree with whitesand), you could catch the Pirates at Ed Smith, when they play the Reds.

A nice, small boutique hotel in Sarasota proper (and therefore walking distance to restaurants) is Hotel Indigo.

Last edited by AnotherDayInParadise; 02-22-2009 at 06:07 AM.. Reason: attempted quoted text didn't take
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Old 02-22-2009, 06:16 AM
 
Location: Punta Gorda and Maryland
6,103 posts, read 15,081,815 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AnotherDayInParadise View Post
Seated tickets for every Rays home spring training game at Charlotte Stadium are sold out and have been for weeks. GA tickets may still be available, and get you access to a grass berm.

If you do stay in Sarasota (I agree with whitesand), you could catch the Pirates at Ed Smith, when they play the Reds.

A nice, small boutique hotel in Sarasota proper (and therefore walking distance to restaurants) is Hotel Indigo.
Sweet!
ADIP, what do you know about the Stone Crabs? I gotta go look on line to see if there is a schedule somewhere.
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Old 02-22-2009, 02:26 PM
 
414 posts, read 1,245,002 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big House View Post
Sweet!
ADIP, what do you know about the Stone Crabs? I gotta go look on line to see if there is a schedule somewhere.
That kind of leads into my question. Are tix to Reds spring training games at Ed Smith Stadium hard to get? Can u just drop by the day of the game?
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Old 02-22-2009, 04:35 PM
 
Location: Punta Gorda and Maryland
6,103 posts, read 15,081,815 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smiledoc1 View Post
That kind of leads into my question. Are tix to Reds spring training games at Ed Smith Stadium hard to get? Can u just drop by the day of the game?

Smiledoc, Thanks for not saying "REDSOX!" LOL, as an Orioles fan, that would have been a bit confrontational! LOL
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Old 02-22-2009, 08:49 PM
 
Location: SWFL
321 posts, read 1,029,006 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by smiledoc1 View Post
That kind of leads into my question. Are tix to Reds spring training games at Ed Smith Stadium hard to get? Can u just drop by the day of the game?
HEY BOYS!

I bought four tix to a RAYS - Reds game at Ed Smith 4 weeks (?) ago, all in a row, behind home plate... no prob. I would say, depending on the match-up, you could probably buy tix the day of.

As for the mighty Stone Crabs, BH, I could tell you lots! I have purchased a half-season package. Their full-season schedule is available online. It's been great watching the Rays practice, because you can connect with some of the guys who may be spending the whole summer here. The stadium is gorgeous, and it's going to be a great time all-'round! The guys who are running the show are all incredible, and I'd be happy to give you names/numbers, but to be honest, you can get those online too. PM me if you want me to hold yer hand, though.

Play ball!
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Old 02-23-2009, 05:21 AM
 
Location: Punta Gorda and Maryland
6,103 posts, read 15,081,815 times
Reputation: 1257
Quote:
Originally Posted by AnotherDayInParadise View Post
HEY BOYS!

I bought four tix to a RAYS - Reds game at Ed Smith 4 weeks (?) ago, all in a row, behind home plate... no prob. I would say, depending on the match-up, you could probably buy tix the day of.

As for the mighty Stone Crabs, BH, I could tell you lots! I have purchased a half-season package. Their full-season schedule is available online. It's been great watching the Rays practice, because you can connect with some of the guys who may be spending the whole summer here. The stadium is gorgeous, and it's going to be a great time all-'round! The guys who are running the show are all incredible, and I'd be happy to give you names/numbers, but to be honest, you can get those online too. PM me if you want me to hold yer hand, though.

Play ball!
Uh Oh! Did is sense a "Flirt-Back"! hmmmm! I'm nervous and dumbfounded now! LOL {pacing back and forth} LOL


Thanks for the online information. I'm going to check it out!
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