Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) Youth Sports Equipment Drive
June 7, 2008

The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Part of the mission of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund is to promote and enhance the growth of baseball throughout the community by facilitating an equipment donation drive to collect new and used baseball and softball equipment for youth organizations in need of these items.

As an added incentive, BTF offers a grant(s) in the total amount of $5,000 to a local youth baseball organization(s). Applications are provided by BTF and available through the Pirates Community Relations Department. This season, in addition to donated equipment, Roberto's Kids and the Braddock Area Athletic Association were selected to receive grants of $2,500 each and were presented checks by Pirates President Frank Coonelly during a Pirates on-field pregame ceremony.

The Pirates collection day was held on Saturday, June 7 outside of PNC Park. Thank you to everyone who chose to donate to this wonderful cause!

BTF news, information and application guidelines »


Junior Pirates meet Ian Snell
• Photo gallery

Children from the Junior Pirates program had the opportunity to meet and receive autographs from Pirates pitcher Ian Snell in West Park as part of Pittsburgh's International Children's Festival on Saturday, May 19. After signing autographs, Snell also visited the National Aviary located just across the street from West Park.

More than 200 children visited Snell and received autographs, and more than 24,000 people attended the festival throughout the weekend.

Operated through the Big League program, Junior Pirates offers more than 2,000 children each year the opportunity to be a part of a team and learn the fundamentals of baseball. Each Junior Pirates program participant receives two complimentary tickets to the Pirates game on Junior Pirates Day, Tuesday, August 28 versus the Cincinnati Reds in addition to a Junior Pirates t-shirt, baseball cap and player poster/card. All participants will also be recognized on the field during a special pre-game ceremony when one lucky Junior Pirates participant will have the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch.


Gloves for Kids
April 26, 2007
• 2007 Gloves for Kids photo gallery

Thanks to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Dick's Sporting Goods at the Mall at Robinson, Gloves for Kids was deemed a huge success as 17 Pirates players and coaches signed autographs and took photos with fans from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. inside the store on Thursday, April 26.

More than 500 fans made their way to Dick's for the event, with all proceeds benefiting Pirates Charities, Wilkinsburg Little League and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In addition to obtaining autographs and taking photos for a monetary donation, fans had the opportunity to meet Pirates players and bid on Major League Baseball memorabilia in a three-hour silent auction. Items such as autographed jerseys from Albert Pujols, Daisuke Matsuzaka and local favorite Jack Wilson were dealt to the highest bidder.

With the help of the Pirates players and coaches, Dick's Sporting Goods and the fans, children from Wilkinsburg Little League will be outfitted with brand new baseball equipment for their 2007 season.


Opportunities for Inner City Youth

Pirates Community Baseball Center

Pirates Charities partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund and the Roberto Clemente Foundation to reenergize the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club's community facility and build an indoor baseball/softball complex called the Pirates Community Baseball Center. This facility features enclosed batting cages, automatic pitching machines, two multi-media training rooms, storage facilities, and baseball and softball equipment. The Pirates Community Baseball Center is designed to offer a widespread positive impact on youth throughout the region by giving all youth a place to focus on productive activities and positive interaction with their peers and coaches.

• Dates: Open year-round.

• Age: No age requirements

Check out the new Pirates Community Baseball Center by contacting the Shadyside Boys & Girls Clubs at 412-681-8575.


Pittsburgh RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner City)

Pittsburgh RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) is part of the international MLB RBI program. Pittsburgh RBI began in 1994 as part of the Roberto Clemente Foundation. Because of the program's growth and its need for additional resources, in 2003, Pittsburgh RBI became part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. The Boys & Girls Club provides Pittsburgh RBI with the infrastructure and administrative services that are necessary for its success.

The program has continued to grow. In 2007, Pirates Charities, in its first official act, partnered with the Roberto Clemente Foundation and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund to renovate a portion of the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club facility to build a home for Pittsburgh RBI. The Pirates Community Baseball Center was officially opened in February of 2007. Full details »

If you are interested in participating in the RBI program, please contact the Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania at 412-681-8575.


If You Live in the City of Pittsburgh

Junior Pirates
For City of Pittsburgh boys and girls (ages 4 - 8 years)

The Junior Pirates program is a joint effort between Citiparks and the Pirates. Junior Pirates creates an opportunity for young boys and girls to learn the fundamentals of baseball. Each youth participant and coach receives a Junior Pirates T-shirt, Pirates baseball cap, and a player poster/card. Pirates coaches/players will host a clinic for participants during the annual Children's Festival held on the North Side in May. All Junior Pirates participants are recognized at PNC Park, on Junior Pirates Day, and receive a complimentary ticket to the game.

• Program dates: April - September
• Number of participants: Over 2,000 boys and girls
• Junior Pirates Sites (19):

Arlington Recreation Center Banksville Beechview Brighton Heights Brookline BUMP/Manchester Chadwick Recreation Center Duquesne Homewood Lincoln Place

Northview Phillips Recreation Center/Carrick Sacred Heart/Shady Side Squirrel Hill/three programs Warrington Recreation Center Mt. Washington Westwood West Penn Recreation Center Wilkinsburg

For more information on Junior Pirates or to find the nearest Junior Pirates site, please contact CitiParks at 412-488-8585. If you are a Junior Pirates team member and would like to attend Junior Pirates Day at PNC Park on Aug. 28, contact Mike Thompson, Pirates Manager of Group Sales at 412-325-4773.


BIG League/Mayors' Cup activities
• 2007 Mayor's Cup Championship photo gallery

Citiparks Pittsburgh BIG League Sports is a cooperative effort between Citiparks, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Roberto Clemente Foundation. The shared goal is to create comprehensive recreational programs that will provide increased quality athletic and education opportunities in Pittsburgh neighborhoods. Each year approximately 3,000 boys and girls throughout the Pittsburgh area participate in BIG League Sports organized programs.

BIG League Sports hosts a variety of programs that include baseball, softball, hockey, soccer, flag football, track and field and other special programs for teams.

Championship games are played at PNC Park. In 2007, these games will be played on Thursday, July 26 and Friday, July 27. Winners are recognized during a special on-field ceremony prior to a Pirates home game.

Baseball/Softball Programs:
   - Junior Pirates (boys and girls 4 - 8)
   - Mayor's Cup Pony League Baseball (boys 13 - 14)
   - Mayor's Cup Colt League Baseball (boys 15 - 16)
   - Mayor's Cup Super Colt League Baseball (boys 16 - 18)
   - Mayor's Cup Girls U-12 Fast-Pitch League Softball (girls 12 and under)
   - Mayor's Cup Girls Fast-Pitch League Softball (girls 18 and under)

Baseball/Softball Competitions:
   - Mayor's Cup Little League Tournament (boys 10 - 12)
   - Mayor's Cup Girls Slow-Pitch Softball Tournament (girls 10 - 12)
   - Pepsi MLB Pitch, Hit & Run Competition (boys and girls 7 - 14)
   - Opportunity Through Baseball, Denver Baseball Camp (boys 11 - 14)

If you'd like to participate in the BIG League program, please contact the City of Pittsburgh at 412-488-8585.


Special Exhibition Games

On occasion, special youth associations are invited to play an exhibition game on the field at PNC Park. In 2007, one game of the "2007 Friendship Series" will be played at PNC Park. The Friendship Series is sponsored by Pony Baseball and Softball and involves a traveling team (mostly 15-year olds) from Japan playing a series of games throughout the United States during the month of August. PNC Park will host a Team Japan versus Team United States game on Sunday, Aug. 19.


Raising Money

"Taking It to the Fields"

The Pirates provide fundraising opportunities to area youth baseball and softball players who participate in the "Taking It to the Fields" program. To participate, area youth athletes sell Pirates tickets. By selling tickets, they earn incentives such as the opportunity to participate in a Skills Workshop at PNC Park with Pirates players and coaches while a portion of the ticket sale price is donated back to their team and/or league. In addition, each youth athlete receives a "Taking It to the Fields" kit that includes baseball cards, Gatorade, promotional items and more.

Skills Workshop participants go through seven different workstations receiving instruction on hitting, fielding, throwing, base running, pitching, and catching from Pirates players, coaches and alumni.

Skills Workshop dates: July 19 and July 30, 2007
Age Group: Workshops are open to all boys and girls (ages 6-18)

For more information on the "Taking It to the Fields" program, please contact the Pirates Marketing Department at 412-325-4756.

High School Amateur Baseball Program

High school baseball teams throughout the Pittsburgh region can take part in the Pirates Amateur Baseball fundraising program. Each team is required to sell a minimum of 800 Pirates tickets. If a team meets that requirement, they earn the opportunity to play an exhibition game at PNC Park as well as raise $2,400+ for their program.

Dates: Fundraiser starts in December
Age: 15-18 years old
Teams: High School Baseball teams throughout the region.

Participating Schools (2007): Avonworth, Baldwin, Beaver Area, Belle Vernon, Connellsville, Cornell, Ford City, Freedom, Kittanning, Laurel Valley, Marion Center, Monaca, Neshannock, North Allegheny, Norwin, Pittsburgh Central Catholic, Purchase Line, Redbank Valley, Rochester, Schenley, Springdale and West Shamokin.

For more information on the Pirates Amateur Baseball program, please contact the Pirates Marketing Department at 412-325-4756.

Donations

The Pirates are happy to donate tickets (two per organization) or autographed memorabilia (one item per organization) to area youth baseball teams to use as raffle/auction items for fundraising purposes.

If you would like these items, please write a letter requesting the item, letting us know the date you need to receive the item by and the type/name of event you are hosting. Send the letter to:

Donations
Pittsburgh Pirates
Community Relations Department
P.O. Box 7000
Pittsburgh, PA 15212