The Pirates will host the "Pitch for Hope" Women's Baseball Clinic at PNC Park on June 30, 2013. Proceeds benefit Glimmer of Hope, a Pittsburgh area based organization funding the only under-40 breast cancer study in the country.
Women ages 14 and older are invited to learn hitting, pitching, and fielding from Pirates coaches and players on the playing field at PNC Park. There will also be a catered brunch at the ballpark. All participants receive a commemorative T-Shirt and there will be a raffle featuring autographed memorabilia.
The Pirate Parrot, in partnership with Mosites Motorsports and Pirates Charities, is once again going to bat in the fight against prostate cancer.
Over the past three years of the Pirate Parrot's Cruise to Cure Prostate Cancer, generous fans and sponsors have donated over $35,000 to prostate cancer research through The Western Pennsylvania Prostate Cancer Foundation.
You can join the cause again with two new special events: the Weekend Cruise to Cure Prostate Cancer, heading to Cincinnati on July 19-20, and the first-ever Poker Run on Sunday, August 18.
Learn more, register and donate »
The Pirates 2012 "Winter Caravan" made stops throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and West Virginia, and took place Tuesday, December 11 through Thursday, December 13.
The Caravan featured school visits and public appearances by current players, coaches, broadcasters, members of the front office and the Pirate Parrot. At each public visit, the participants signed free autographs for fans, met with members of the media and discussed the 2013 Pirates season.
Learn more about the Pirates Winter Caravan »
The Pittsburgh Pirates would invited fans to join us for in 2012 for our Awareness Series at PNC Park. The Pirates partnered with different non-profit service agencies throughout the region to host special events to raise funds and awareness for their specific causes.
Each organization generated revenue through the sale of Pirates tickets for their cause and utilized PNC Park to promote their organization's message.
The Pirates and Central Blood Bank partnered to host several blood drives at PNC Park in 2012.
Donating blood is important as each individual whole blood donor can make a difference by saving up to three lives. Last year, more than 1,000 units were donated at Pirates Blood Drives, helping to save more than 3,000 lives in the Pittsburgh region. For more information, please call 1-866-DONORS-1 (1-866-366-6771), or visit centralbloodbank.org.
The Pirates, along with broadcasters Greg Brown and Steve Blass, hosted two 65 Roses Club nights at PNC Park during the 2012 baseball season. The events were to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and took place before each game.
The 65 Roses Club is a group of Pirates fans who have joined together to raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis. By making a pledge to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for every home run the Pirates hit, these fans have the opportunity to meet Pirates players at private pre-game receptions. After the receptions, everyone can enjoy the game to cheer on the Bucs!
The club gets its name from the way a child often learns to say "cystic fibrosis," which sounds like "sixty-five roses." It is a national sports program supported by teams in all areas of athletics, including baseball, football, basketball, hockey and soccer, to help raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis.
For complete information contact Max Flessner at (412) 321-4422 Ext. 15.
The popular Bowling with the Bucs fundraiser returned on Sunday, May 6 at Legacy Lanes in Baldwin. This year's hosts were Pirates pitchers Joel Hanrahan and Chris Resop.
This event offered fans the opportunity to meet and bowl with their favorite Pirates players and celebrities. All proceeds benefit Pirates Charities.
"Bowling with the Bucs" is a family-friendly event and featured - in addition to bowling - a silent auction, raffles and games.
Learn more about "Bowling with the Bucs" »
Bicycling enthusiasts joined Pirates Charities for a 100-bike stationary cycling event outside PNC Park on Saturday, May 12. The event raised money to support Pirates Charities and the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh's "Building Bridges" program.
Local instructors led this non-competitive cycle, lasting four hours, prior to the Pittsburgh Pirates 7:05 p.m. game vs. the Houston Astros.
Cyclists could elect to "buy" a bike for the entire four-hour event, or rent a bike by the hour. They could Register as an individual, or reserve bikes for themselves and a group of friends!
Learn more about Pedal for Pirates Charities »
The Pirates have introduced the Fantasy Baseball Math Program in classrooms within the Diocese of Pittsburgh. Fantasy Baseball is an integrated math program for students in grades 4-8 and is aligned with the Pennsylvania State Exams in the areas of mathematics, reading and physical education. Students learn mathematics skills through baseball statistics in a way that is fun and engaging. Students also create player cards and compete against one another in simulated baseball games. The program promotes higher order science, technology, engineering and math skills (STEM), in preparation for math-based careers.
Learn more about the Fantasy Baseball Math Program »
The entire Pirates team, joined by members of the Pirates coaching and front office staff, commemorated Clemente Day with a visit to Pittsburgh Faison PreK-5 in Homewood. Each year, in partnership with Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pirates Charities selects a school in need of supplies and equipment to receive a donation in celebration of the life and community service legacy of Pirates Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente.
The Pirates hand-delivered over $20,000 worth of school supplies and recreation equipment, and students had the opportunity to hear Vera Clemente, Goodwill Ambassador for Major League Baseball and widow of the late Roberto Clemente, along with her son Luis, speak about the importance of giving back to the community. Some of the items given to the school included notebooks, paper, pencils, crayons, yoga mats, volleyballs and bicycles.
On August 23, 2011, the Pirates and the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh partnered for a Domestic Violence Awareness event at the YWCA. Additional partners included three local domestic violence shelters including Alle-Kiskee Area HOPE Center, Inc., Crisis Center North, and Womansplace, Inc. At the event, local domestic violence organizations were on hand with resource tables for guests to learn about programs, services, and resources available in the region.
In addition, over 200 supply kits were stuffed for the shelters by Pirates players, wives and other guests. Items included: soap, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, toothbrushes and dental Floss. Pirates player Michael McKenry and two players wives pitched in during the event to assist in the community.
The Pirates also hosted Domestic Violence Awareness Night in conjunction with the YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh at PNC Park on September 7. During the game, our partner organizations were recognized on field for their amazing efforts throughout the community around domestic violence.
The Pirates hosted a Miracle League Fantasy Camp at the Pirates Charities Miracle League Field in Cranberry, PA for children with disabilities. Pirates players and coaches helped conduct the camp, including manager Clint Hurdle, Joel Hanrahan, Paul Maholm, Neil Walker and Michael McKenry.
The fantasy camp's focus was to provide youth with special needs the opportunity to learn and play the game of baseball while being able to provide a similar experience to Major League Baseball camps and clinics. Fourty children from the four regional Miracle Leagues - Southwestern PA (Cranberry), South Hills (Upper St. Clair), Western PA (Murrysville) and the Ohio Valley (Wheeling, WV) - were on hand to take part in the camp.
At the camp, the youth took part in five activity stations, led by the Pirates, that worked on hitting, throwing and catching skills. Each child also received their own Pirates jersey, complete with their name on the back, and was treated to lunch.
The event was sponsored by Pirates Charities and Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids. Baseball Fantasy Camp for Kids is an organization headed up by Denver resident Jeremy Flug that provides funding for these types of camps throughout the US. This is the second year that Pirates Charities has worked with Mr. Flug, who was also in attendance for the camp.
The mission of the Miracle League of Southwestern PA in Cranberry Township, the host of the camp, is to provide the opportunity for children and adults with special needs a chance to experience playing baseball in a league-based environment. MLSWPA provides leadership and facilities for a baseball program for children and adults with special needs in a manner consistent with MLSWPA and community values. With a specially designed rubber turf field, MLSWPA makes dreams come true for children and adults who desire to play ball just like their brothers, sisters and friends.
Learn more about the Pirates Charities Miracle League Field »
Pirates Pitcher Tony Watson was the 2011 Honorary Chair of the 23rd annual Epilepsy Family Fun/Run Walk at PNC Park. The event raised $170,000 for the Epilepsy Foundation of Western/Central Pennsylvania.
The Pirates and Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh teamed up for another season of Pirates Tales, a program that encourages kids to set reading goals during the summer months and read their way all the way to PNC Park!
Just like going to Pirates games, students from the entire Allegheny County region make reading part of their summer tradition. Pirates Tales, a community outreach program designed to promote literacy skills, is a great way for kids to strengthen their reading skills and have fun at the same time.
In 2010, more than 300 students in Allegheny County participated in the program by reading books over the summer and completing a book report. All kids who achieved their goals were entered into a contest with the winners invited to attend a Pirates home game, attend a special story time with Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf and the Pirate Parrot for a reading of "Casey at the Bat", and received a Pirates goody bag.
Several individuals were recognized during an on-field ceremony prior to the game including: Dr. Barbara Mistick, President and Director of Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh; Jennifer Pickle, senior children's librarian; Constance Wong, children's librarian at the main library in Oakland; and Amy Godfrey, librarian at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Woods Run.
Deb Coonelly, Becca Huntington, Jamie Russell, Renee Lopez, Kim Donovan (Joel Hanrahan's girlfriend) and Jessica Wade (Evan Meek's girlfriend) prepared and served a homecooked meal to 60 members of the Shadyside Family House.
Family House, a non-profit corporation operated by a voluntary board of directors, provides a special "home away from home" for patients and/or families who must travel to Pittsburgh for treatment of serious or life-threatening illnesses. Thanks to the generosity and support of the Pittsburgh community, Family House is able to provide a comfortable haven to help our guests through stressful times.
Throughout the season, Pirates Coaches visit the Pirates Community Baseball Center at the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club to host skill clinics with coaches from Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), Josh Gibson Baseball Academy and Citi Parks Big League Coaches. During each clinic, Pirates coaches mentor and instruct the coaches on teaching the proper baseball mechanics and answer all questions.
Throughout the season, Pirates players visit and work with children in different settings and events around the greater Pittsburgh region.
Many players enjoy taking the time in to help brighten the days and put smiles on the faces of these children.
The Buses for Baseball program gives underprivileged kids throughout the United States and Canada the chance to attend a Major League baseball games and meet the players. The Players Trust partners with local transit authorities and Major League teams, as well as charitable organizations in all Major League cities, to share the thrill of a big league game with kids who need more chances to smile.
At each ballpark, kids are welcomed by players who spend time signing autographs, giving away souvenirs and posing for photographs. Complimentary food and soft drinks during the game -- and often the chance to see their own faces on the scoreboard -- provide lasting memories before the bus heads home.
The Pittsburgh Pirates were proud to welcome 50 children to PNC Park on April 26, 2011 for the Buses for Baseball program. The children were escorted into the ballpark to watch the Pirates take batting practice before anyone else was allowed in the park!
The Pittsburgh Pirates partner with Major League Baseball umpires to offer memorable baseball game experiences for children awaiting adoption and at-risk youth in mentoring programs.
Children receive a VIP experience including great seats to see the Pirates at PNC Park, a goody bag of 'all things baseball', and the unique opportunity to step onto the field for a souvenir baseball and photo.
UMPS CARE Charities, a 501c3 non-profit organization founded by Major League Baseball umpires, created the BLUE Crew Tickets program to share the gift of baseball with children and strengthen relationships between children and the adults who aim to make a difference in their lives.
More than 4,000 guests have participated in BLUE Crew Tickets since 2006. Learn more at www.UmpsCare.com.
In 2011, Pirates Charities once again supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania and Southern West Virginia with a donation to the annual "Kurt R. Weiss Scholarship for Wish Children" program, which was created in 1998 to help motivate wish children to pursue their post-high school educational ambitions.
In addition to financial support, Pirates Charities also hosted a group of scholarship recipients and their families and friends to a night at the ballpark on Friday, May 6. Before the game, the group of 140 gathered in the Trib Total Media Hall of Fame Club to recognize the accomplishments of the 21 scholarship recipients in attendance. Attendees also enjoyed a ballpark buffet on the Deck at PNC Park. Then, the scholarship recipients who attended the event proceeded to the field where they were recognized for their accomplishments by Team President Frank Coonelly. Make-A-Wish President/CEO Judi Stone and Development Coordinator Brittany Youngman also joined the group on the field.
Learn more about the Make-A-Wish Foundation Scholarship Program »
