Community

36 Pages·2008·4.66 MB·English

In the
Community
2007
Message From Chairman Bob Nutting
Dear Pirates Fans:
Throughout its 121-year history, the Pittsburgh Pirates have supported many non-profit and
civic organizations through its charitable and community efforts, specifically its charitable giving,
memorabilia, merchandise and ticket donations and volunteer efforts.
When I was introduced as principal owner in January of 2007, I spoke about my emotional
commitment to this region and the important role the Pirates play in our community. We, as
an organization, have since challenged ourselves to be even more effective in our philanthropic
efforts and make an even greater impact in meeting the needs of our region.
The following pages in this annual Pirates Community Report highlight some of our initiatives
during 2007, which also marked the first full year of operation of our new philanthropic arm,
Pirates Charities.
As you will read, the Pirates are directly involved in many aspects of the community through
Pirates Charities, Pirates player programs, the Pirates Alumni Association, youth programs, minority
outreach initiatives, corporate partnership programs and more. We also work hard to support many non-profit organizations including
the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Boys & Girls Clubs, American Red Cross and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to name a few.
Collectively, these programs have positively affected more than 2,000 organizations, a countless number of individuals and have
made a tangible difference in our community.
I am pleased with the progress that has been made; however, I am most excited to say that it is only the beginning. The Pirates
organization is dedicated to strengthening our commitment to our community and continuing to find opportunities to improve
the lives of children and adults in the greater Pittsburgh region.
I would like to thank all of the Pirates employees, players, coaches, corporate partners, community leaders, friends and fans for their
time, energy and efforts that help make these and all of our other programs possible.
Thank you for your continued support of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Sincerely,
Bob Nutting
Chairman of the Board
Pittsburgh Pirates & Pirates Charities
2 2007 PIRATES COMMUNITY REPORT
“
Any time
you have an
opportunity to
make a
difference in
this world and
you don't,
then you are
wasting your
”
time on Earth.
[Roberto Clemente]
2007 PIRATES COMMUNITY REPORT 3
Table of Contents
>> Message from Chairman Bob Nutting 2
>> Pirates Charities 5 - 7
• Mission statement 5
• Pirates Community Baseball Center 6
• Pittsburgh RBI 7
• Fundraising recap 7
>> Player Involvement 8 – 11
• Team initiatives 9
• Individual player activities 10
• Pirates Alumni 11
>> Youth Programs 12 – 15
• Youth baseball 13 – 14
• Youth education 15
>> Corporate Partnerships 16 – 17
>> Non-Profit Support 18 – 19
>> Minority Initiatives 20 – 21
>> Players Wives Organization 22 – 23
>> Year-Round Activities 24 – 25
>> Just for Kids 26 – 27
>> League-Wide Initiatives 28 – 30
>> How to Reach Us 31
>> 2007 Donation Recipients 32 - 35
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Pitcher Ian Snell with friends from Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Pittsburgh.
Pirates Charities
[Mission Statement]
Pirates Charities is committed to strengthening the community by supporting
organizations and programs aimed at improving the lives of children and adults in the
greater Pittsburgh region. Pirates Charities places a special emphasis on supporting
youth programs focused on health, fitness, and education by developing partnerships
with those who share in our mission.
2007 PIRATES COMMUNITY REPORT 5
[Pirates Community Baseball Center]
In its first full year of operation, Pirates Charities
partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs
of Western Pennsylvania to complete
the Pirates Community Baseball Center at
the Shadyside Boys & Girls Club facility. The
renovated indoor swimming pool location
now features enclosed batting cages, automatic
pitching machines, multi-media training rooms
and baseball and softball equipment.
The Pirates Community Baseball Center is
home to Pittsburgh’s Reviving Baseball in Inner
Cities (RBI) youth outreach program, the Boys &
Girls Club of Western Pennsylvania baseball and
softball programs and serves as a training complex
for the CitiParks Big League baseball and softball
programs. It is a great place for youth to focus on
their baseball skills and interact positively with
their peers and coaches.
Before After
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[Pittsburgh RBI] [Pirates Charities Fundraising Recap]
Pirates Charities provides financial support to Pittsburgh RBI Pirates Charities fundraisers were held throughout 2007. In a variety of ways, Pirates fans, employees and
(Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) each year. RBI is an corporate partners contributed their dollars, time and energy to ensure the success of every event.
MLB-sponsored youth outreach program that now includes
126,000 participants in over 200 cities around the world. The
program’s goal is to help boys and girls from ages 13 to 18 by:
• Teaching the value of teamwork
• Developing self-esteem
• Encouraging academic participation and achievement
• Increasing participation and interest in baseball
• Promoting greater inclusion of minorities in mainstream baseball
Over 600 youth participate in Pittsburgh RBI annually. The Pittsburgh RBI
The second annual Pirates The Pirates’ Wives hosted two Pirates’ play-by-play announcer
Girls Softball team (below) captured their second straight Mid-Atlantic
“Mystery Grab Bag” sales in Greg Brown and Pirates corporate
Regional Tournament title and advanced to the RBI World Series held at Charities Golf Classic was held
2007. Fans purchased “mystery” partner Dick’s Sporting Goods put
MLB’s Urban Youth Academy in Compton, CA where they took fourth place on July 19, 2007 at the Fox Chapel
individually autographed baseballs
together this great event called
honors. Pittsburgh RBI is run under the auspices of the Boys & Girls Clubs
Golf Club. Current Pirates players, to benefit Pirates Charities.
of Western Pennsylvania. “Gloves for Kids”. Fans visited
alums, broadcasters and members Current and former Pirates stars
the Dick’s store at Robinson
as well as baseball’s top players
of the executive staff participated.
Mall to get autographs and have
such as Alex Rodriguez and David
Over $100,000 was raised for Ortiz contributed autographs to photos taken with their favorite
Pirates Charities. the event. Pirates players.
[2007 Pirates Charities Donation Recipients]
In addition to the completion of the Pirates Community Baseball Center
and Pittsburgh RBI, the following non-profit organizations also received “Bowling with the Bucs,” For a donation to Pirates Charities, Pirates and other MLB
financial support from Pirates Charities in 2007: led by Jack and Julie Wilson, special welcomes, birthday memorabilia are available
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Western PA and Southern West Virginia greetings, anniversary wishes, etc.
teamed up Pirates players and around the clock on pirates.com/
• West Penn Hospital Burn Center Summer Camp for Burned Children can be displayed on the scoreboard
• Foundation for Dreams (located in Bradenton, FL) broadcasters with Pirates fans for auctions. All proceeds from these
during every Pirates home game.
• Wilkinsburg Little League
• Muscular Dystrophy Association a fun night of bowling benefitting More than 1200 messages were unique online auctions benefit
• Challenged Athletes Foundation Pirates Charities. displayed in 2007. Pirates Charities.
• Joe Morgan Youth Foundation
2007 PIRATES COMMUNITY REPORT 7
Player Involvement
Pittsburgh Pirates players dedicate their time, effort and
resources to countless charitable events and initiatives
throughout the Pittsburgh region every year.
From signing autographs to hosting baseball clinics
to making personal donations, Pirates players are
committed to improving the overall quality of life for
children and adults alike in the city of Pittsburgh and
surrounding areas.
Outfielder Jason Bay with fans during Kids Opening Day on June 3rd.
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[Team Charity Work] [Team Promotional Events]
>> Pirates players and Head Athletic Trainer Brad Henderson hosted a PLAY >> The Pirates team is active in the community throughout the year. In January,
(Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youths) clinic at PNC Park. The event was players participate in the Winter Caravan travelling throughout the Pittsburgh
sponsored by the Professional Baseball Athletic Trainers Society. [page 14] region and attend PirateFest to sign autographs and meet with fans. Following
Spring Training, every player attends the annual Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of
>> More than 15 Pirates players and coaches signed autographs and took photos
Commerce Opening Day Luncheon when the team returns to Pittsburgh.
with fans during the Dick’s Sporting Goods “Gloves for Kids” event benefiting
Pirates Charities, Wilkinsburg Little League and the Muscular Dystrophy >> During the season, Pirates players get even more involved in community
Association. [below] events. Whether it’s greeting kids at the gate on Kids Opening Day[below], taking
photos with fans on Photofest Day, or attending weekly autograph sessions
for the Bucaroos Kids Club, Pirates players are involved in the community
throughout the season.
Pitcher John Grabow at Kids Opening Day.
2007 PIRATES COMMUNITY REPORT 9
[Player Outreach]
>> Freddy Sanchez partnered with the Challenged
Athletes Foundation on the Freddy Sanchez
Players 4 Kidz Gala to raise more than $65,000 [right].
>> Ian Snell regularly hosted Big Brothers/Big Sisters
“bigs” and “littles” to a day at the ballpark.
>> Tom Gorzelanny served as honorary co-chairman
for the annual Pirates/Epilepsy Foundation Fun
Run Walk.
>> Matt Capps & Nate McLouth visited area schools
as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Hop-A-
Thon and the Pirates “Library Night” program.
>> Shane Youman spent days interacting with
Pittsburgh youth at the Pirates Community Baseball
Center & at Urban Youth Action, Inc. [below].
Catcher Ronny Paulino met with eight-year-old Matthew Staub of Cheswick,
PA, to fulfill Matthew’s wish of meeting Ronny and his Pirates teammates
through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania & Southern
West Virginia.
Matthew, who has been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, was escorted
to the Pirates clubhouse and dressed in a full Pirates uniform complete with
Ronny’s name and number. Matthew and his family were then taken on a
tour of the batting cages and playing field at PNC Park by Ronny. Matthew
got the chance to watch batting practice from the dugout, meet the rest of
the Pirates team and be “on-the-air” with the Pirates broadcast team on
FSN and FMNewsTalk 104.7.
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