SARASOTA, Fla. — One by one, Pittsburgh Pirates players were introduced to cheers and claps. The rousing ovations, however, were reserved for the All-Star lineup they were there to honor.
After their first full-squad workout of spring training at Pirate City, the Pirates hosted a fantasy camp Monday at the Miracle League of Manasota Field for children with special needs. Each participant received a Pirates jersey with their name on the back.
Pirates chairman Bob Nutting, president Travis Williams, general manager Ben Cherington and manager Derek Shelton were joined by more than a dozen players. Pitchers Steven Brault, Nick Burdi, Kyle Crick, Derek Holland, Clay Holmes, Mitch Keller, Joe Musgrove and Trevor Williams, and shortstop Cole Tucker were all smiles as they played with Miracle League All-Stars over a variety of baseball drills at five stations focused on hitting, throwing, catching and baserunning skills.
The Pirates have been supporting 10 Miracle League baseball programs for a dozen years, Nutting said, and Pirates Charities presented a $10,000 donation to the program that serves Manatee and Sarasota counties.
“The Miracle League program is really one that I love and has been part of the Pirates for a long time now,” Nutting said. “To get some of these new faces out interacting with these kids … these young special athletes with special needs who all have their challenges but come out and have such a wonderful day, that’s why we do it.”
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