Flashback

In 1937, the Bradenton Nine Devils Took the Field for the First Time

Part of the Florida Negro League, the team is now honored with a historic marker at LECOM Park—the first step in the creation of the African American Heritage Trail.

09/02/2025 By Megan McDonald

A League of His Own

National League Rookie of the Year Paul Skenes Is One of Spring Training's Star Attractions

Skenes has a 100-mile-per-hour pitch, was named the National League's starting pitcher for the 2024 All-Star Game, and was also a finalist for the 2024 Cy Young Award.

02/21/2025 By Megan McDonald

Play Ball!

Spring Training Tickets Are on Sale Now

Grab your tickets for Orioles, Pirates and Braves games.

12/06/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Baltimore Orioles Make $250,000 Initial Donation to Hurricane Relief Campaign

The team is donating the money to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Season of Sharing campaign and will match every additional dollar up to $250,000. If $500,000 is reached, The Patterson Foundation will provided an additional $100,000.

10/16/2024 By Staff

Play Ball!

Pirates, Orioles and Braves Announce 2025 Spring Training Schedules

Start planning your games now.

08/21/2024 By Megan McDonald

Future Stars

Spring Breakout in Bradenton Offers a Preview of What's to Come for the Game of Baseball

The new Major League Baseball initiative highlights rising stars and emerging technology.

03/27/2024 By Brad Edmondson

Listening to Black Voices

World Series Champ John 'T-Bone' Shelby on His Passion for Baseball and Never Giving Up

Shelby, who's now retired and lives in Sarasota, won two World Series championships with the Baltimore Orioles and the L.A. Dodgers, and coached for many years.

03/18/2024 By Heather Dunhill

Listening to Black Voices

Former MLB Player Jeremy Shelby on Identity, Opportunity and Giving Yourself Grace

Shelby is the founder, president and head of directors at Sarasota's Elite Life Management, a wealth advisory company.

09/11/2023 By Heather Dunhill

Play Ball!

Pittsburgh Pirates Fan Favorite Andrew McCutchen Is Back in the Black and Gold

McCutchen, who returns to the Pirates after several years away, is training with the team at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

02/24/2023 By Megan McDonald

Flashback

Payne Park Was The First Site for Spring Training in Sarasota, 1924-1990

New York Giants' manager John J. "Mugsy" McGraw was the first to bring a team for spring training here.

02/24/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Flashback

Sarasota Was Home to Baseball Legend Buck O'Neil (1911-2006)

In honor of Black History Month and the upcoming spring training season, we're remembering one of the most beloved players in baseball.

02/17/2023 By Bethany Ritz

Play Ball!

Longtime Sarasota Resident Hoyt Wilhelm Threw the Most Mystifying Pitch in Baseball

The unassuming pitcher was known for his knuckleball.

12/06/2022 By Clayton Trutor

Tourney Time

Women’s Pro Baseball Is Coming to Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium Nov. 19-22

Ballplayers? We’ve got ballplayers.

11/07/2022 By Hannah Wallace

Play Ball!

Orioles Announce 2023 Spring Training Schedule

Spring training kicks off Feb. 25, 2023, at Ed Smith Stadium against the Minnesota Twins.

09/07/2022 By Megan McDonald

Sports

Orioles to Host Mayors Feed the Hungry Food Drive Today

The organization will collect donations for local families in need at the Orioles-Rays game at 1:05 p.m.

03/29/2022 By Staff

Empty seats

Spring Training Is Postponed—Again

As of today, spring training could begin on Saturday, March 12, at the earliest.

03/03/2022 By Samantha Lane

Don't Play Ball

Will Spring Training Happen This Year?

Spring training has been postponed because of the ongoing MLB lockout, and a deadline to reach a deal is looming. Here's how that affects our region.

02/25/2022 By Samantha Lane

Unity Awards

Former MLB Star Ian Desmond and Biz Pro Vince Northfield Help Underserved Youth

Their nonprofit, Newtown Connection, uses baseball to teach healthy living, leadership and inclusion.

01/04/2022 By Susan Burns

History

Flashback: Boston Red Sox Spring Training at Payne Park, 1940

Major League baseball spring training has a long history in our area.

03/09/2021 By Kay Kipling

Things to Do

What to Do in Sarasota: Feb. 25-March 3

Baseball is here! Plus, a world golf championship, a daredevil rally, digital ballet performances and more.

02/25/2021 By Kay Kipling