The Pittsburgh Pirates broadcasting partner, ROOT SPORTS™ announced today the regional sports network will broadcast a network record 12 Pirates spring training games prior to the start of the 2016 Major League Baseball regular season.
The 12-game broadcast schedule begins Friday, March 4 vs. the Minnesota Twins at the Pirates southern home, McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Florida. Select spring training broadcasts will begin with a 30-minute Pirates Pregame presented by W.B. Mason and conclude with a 30-minute Pirates Postgame presented by Allegheny Health Network.
In addition, ROOT SPORTS will air exclusive Pirates programming prior to the start of the season such as new episodes of Inside Pirates Baseball, including a spring training special and 2016 Season Preview, and Pirates Playback, the rebroadcast of a memorable 2015 Pirates game every Sunday night through February 28.
The Pirates Grapefruit League schedule begins Tuesday, March 1 in Lakeland vs the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 p.m. with the home opener in Bradenton scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. the following day. The team's full broadcast schedule will be announced soon as nearly every game will be broadcast on ROOT SPORTS, SPORTSRADIO 93.7 THE FAN or Pirates.com. 
2016 Pirates Spring Training Games on ROOT SPORTS (subject to change) 
Friday, March 4 vs. Minnesota, 1:05 PM*
Sunday, March 6 vs. Houston, 1:05 PM
Monday, March 7 vs. Philadelphia, 1:05 PM (re-airs 3/7 at 8:00PM)
Wednesday, March 9 vs. Boston, 1:05 PM (re-airs 3/9 at 7:00 PM) 
Friday, March 11 vs. Tampa Bay, 1:05 PM
Sunday, March 13 vs. Detroit, 1:05 PM (re-airs 3/13 at 7:00 PM)
Thursday, March 17 vs. New York, 1:05 PM
Wednesday, March 23 vs. Baltimore, 1:05 PM (re-airs 3/23 at 7:00 PM)
Saturday, March 26 vs. Tampa Bay, 6:05 PM*
Sunday, March 27 vs. Baltimore, 6:05 PM
Monday, March 28 vs. Minnesota, 1:05 PM (re-airs 3/28 at 7:00 PM)
Wednesday, March 30 vs. Boston, 1:05 PM* (re-aris 3/30 at 7:00 PM)
*Indicates game will start with Pirates Pregame & conclude with Pirates Postgame