West Viriginia Power to Host Pirates Caravan Event
"The Caravan gives our players and staff an opportunity to travel throughout the tri-state area and thank all of our fans for their continued support as we prepare for next season," said Pirates President Frank Coonelly.
"We're very excited to have partnered with the Pirates on their Caravan events this year. It's an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Pittsburgh and Southern West Virginia," said Power Executive Vice President Andy Milovich. "Allowing us the opportunity to create a public event to benefit the children in our community and a private event for West Virginia Power Sponsors illustrates the Pirates commitment to our community."
Slated appear this year are:
Clint Hurdle - Pirates Manager- On November 14, 2010, Mr. Hurdle was hired as the 39th manager in the 124-year history of the franchise. He was selected by Kansas City in the first round of the 1975 draft and spent ten seasons as a Major League Baseball player. Mr. Hurdle's managerial career began in the minors in 1988, and he assumed the role of manager for the Colorado Rockies early during the 2002 campaign. He led the Rockies to the 2007 World Series, and has won over 500 games during his Major League managerial career.
Greg Brown - Pirates Broadcaster- Mr. Brown joined the Pirates broadcast booth in 1994 and is one of only six men with 15 or more years of service on the air for the organization. He went to college at Point Park in Pittsburgh and began his association with the Pirates during the 1979 World Championship season as a promotions intern.
Neil Walker - Infielder- Mr. Walker was selected in the first round of the 2004 draft by Pittsburgh and made his Major League debut on September 1, 2009. He became an everyday player during the 2010 season, batting .296 with 12 home runs and 66 runs batted in. Mr. Walker was named to two all-rookie teams for his 2010 exploits. He played 120 South Atlantic league games during the 2005 season while with the then-Pirates affiliate Hickory Crawdads, batting .414 against West Virginia Power pitching.
Garrett Jones - First Base/ Outfield- Mr. Jones has led the Pirates in home runs during each of the last two seasons. Originally drafted by Atlanta in 1999, he played in 751 minor league games before making his Major League debut for Minnesota during the 2007 season. Pittsburgh signed Mr. Jones in 2008, and he has been a staple in the lineup over each of the last two years.
James McDonald - Right-Handed Pitcher- Mr. McDonald was an 11th round draft choice by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 and was acquired by Pittsburgh at the trade deadline in 2010. Mr. McDonald made his Major League debut in 2008. After the trade, he began his Pirates career four victories in 11 starts. Mr. McDonald is expected to be a member of the Pirates 2011 rotation.
The Winter Warm-Up will be a family event at the YMCA on Sunday evening and open to the public. It will be a fan fest style atmosphere and will feature meet and greet opportunities with members of the Caravan and 2011 Power coaching staff, as well as inflatable games and activities for kids.
The night will also feature a silent auction with all proceeds benefiting a new charity created by the West Virginia Power. The charity will focus on positively impacting area youth regarding living an active and healthy lifestyle. More detail about the charity including its name and mark will be unveiled at 7:00 PM during the Winter Warm-Up.
"We're very excited to partner with the YMCA. Our recent partnership with Charleston Area Medical Center to create the Power Street Team is designed to use the power of baseball to educate and motivate children in the fight against childhood obesity. Our goals with the Street Team are consistent with the YMCA and the reason we've selected them to partner on this endeavor," said Milovich. "Proceeds from the event will be directed towards the creation of a Youth Fitness Camp at the YMCA and will involve the Power players, coaches, and strength and conditioning staff."
Admission to the Winter Warm-Up is free for kids 12 and under. All other tickets are $20.00 per person. Tickets are on sale now and can be ordered at the Power Front Office or via phone at 304-344-BATS (2287). Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.
For more information please contact the Power Front Office at 344-BATS.