How to fly: Southwest Airlines and US Airways fly nonstop from Pittsburgh to Tampa, Fla. From there, it is a one-hour drive south to Bradenton. Those airlines and others also fly into Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, which is a 20-minute drive from McKechnie Field, but those require a connection.

Where to go: The Pirates train at two sites in Bradenton. All major-league exhibitions are at 6,562-seat McKechnie Field, which has its home-plate entrance at the intersection of 17th Avenue West and 9th Street West. All of the first two weeks of spring training and all minor-league exhibitions are at Pirate City, a four-field complex at 1701 27th Street East that boasts a new headquarters building. Parking at McKechnie is limited to some on the side streets, most in paid lots. Parking at Pirate City is free and ample.

Where to stay: There is some lodging in Bradenton, but the best selection of hotels is in neighboring Sarasota.

How to buy: Tickets for most exhibitions at McKechnie cost $16 for box seats, $15 for reserved, $9 for general admission. Prices for the games against the Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers will be $18, $17 and $10. Tickets can be purchased at the box office, which is open on all game days and, on non-game days, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday. Order online at pirates.com or call 1-877-893-2827. All events at Pirate City are free and open to the public.

When to show up: All major-league exhibitions at McKechnie start at 1:05 p.m. except the two night games. Players usually sign autographs and interact with fans before and even during the game along the baselines, but the place clears quickly afterward.

What to bring: Plenty of sunscreen, an umbrella and a windbreaker. Sound contradictory? The sun can be unforgiving, the thunderstorms can come suddenly, and Bradenton's occasional gusty winds surprise many first-time visitors.

For more information: Call McKechnie Field at 941-748-4610 or Pirate City at 941-747-3031. On the Web, click www.pirates.mlb.com.

-- By Dejan Kovacevic