Thursday, 29 November 2012 09:57

Written by Michael Sanserino

UPDATE: 2:03 p.m. 

The Pirates have made a small change to their spring training schedule. Instead of playing Team Brazil on March 5, the Pirates will play Team Spain. Brazil surprised many in the preliminary rounds of the World Baseball Classic and is now playing in a different group. 

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The Pirates released their 2013 spring training schedule today, which features 33 Grapefruit League games, one intra-squad exhibition and games against Team Spain and the Altoona Curve, the team’s Class AA affiliate.

The Pirates kick off their exhibition season with the “Black and Gold Game” on Feb. 22 at the newly renovated McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla. The following day, they start against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte, Fla.

The Pirates will play host to Team Spain on March 5 at McKechnie Field, in advance of the World Baseball Classic. They finish their Florida schedule with a game against the New York Yankees in Tampa before heading to Pennsylvania for a final exhibition against the Curve in Altoona on March 30.

Tickets for games at McKechnie Field, which range from $12 to $27, go on sale in January.

The first workout for pitchers and catchers at Pirate City in Bradenton is noon Feb. 12. The first full squad workout is Feb. 15.