Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2009

Pirates purchase minor league team from Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced the purchase of the Sarasota Reds from the Cincinnati Reds organization and their intention to move the team to Bradenton, Florida.

The team will play in the Florida State League, an Advanced-A class league.

"The purchase of the Florida State League team is the latest investment by the club to improve its core baseball operations," said team chairman Bob Nutting. "This will allow our baseball operations staff to take further advantage of our world-class facilities at Pirate City, as well as allowed for the increase usage of our Spring Training home of McKechnie Field."

The team name and logo have yet to be announced, but the inaugural game of the new club will be played under the lights at McKechnie Field on April 8. The Pirates announced in 2006 a contract that will keep the team in Bradenton for Spring Training through 2038.