All through the storied historical past of the Pirates, giving again to the neighborhood in significant methods has been a degree of emphasis. In different phrases, it’s lengthy been part of the group’s DNA.
Again in 2008, Pirates chairman Bob Nutting’s want to formally lengthen such efforts past Pittsburgh to all through the group’s Minor League system manifested itself within the launch of the Pirates Neighborhood Dedication Program (PCCP).
Within the 17 years since then, tons of upon tons of of gamers all through the farm system have demonstrated dedication to neighborhood service of their respective affiliate’s markets. Like Main League Baseball’s Roberto Clemente Day and the Pirates’ personal Roberto Clemente Day of Service — each annual occasions — the PCCP was established within the spirit of the Pirates’ Corridor of Fame outfielder who died on New Yr’s Eve in 1972 on a mission to ship reduction provides to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Michael Chernow, the Pirates’ director of teaching and participant growth, believes that as a result of the passing of “The Nice One” was greater than 50 years in the past, it’s vital to teach younger gamers all through the group concerning the excellent participant and humanitarian Clemente was.
“It’s simple to see Roberto Clemente was an unbelievable participant, a Corridor of Fame participant and arguably the best Pirate of all time,” Chernow stated. “However there’s a lot extra to him than what he did on the sphere. It’s additionally about understanding the person, his core values and the way he impacted the world. That a part of his legacy can be essential to who we’re as a company and who we’re as Pirates.
“So, we actually needed to double down on the academic piece of why the PCCP is vital. We discuss to our Minor League gamers concerning the affect that may be made when you’ve got the privilege of carrying a uniform. No matter affiliate it’s, from the Dominican Summer season League all the way in which as much as Pittsburgh, you’ve got a chance and a platform to essentially make the neighborhood higher.”
As a part of Clemente Day festivities at PNC Park on Monday, winners of the Pirates Neighborhood Dedication Award from every Minor League affiliate have been acknowledged on the sphere previous to the sport in opposition to the Cubs. Outfielder Nick Solak, one of many high gamers for Triple-A Indianapolis this season, was amongst these honored. And it’s simple to see why. He understands the essence of the PCCP.
“The Pirates do an excellent job of honoring Roberto Clemente’s legacy by discovering alternatives for us to get entangled locally — in fact in Pittsburgh, but in addition at each stage and each affiliate of their Minor League system,” he stated. “There are individuals in all these cities that, as gamers, we will actually affect and assist in alternative ways.”
Solak talked about visiting sufferers on the Riley Hospital for Youngsters and Little Pink Door Most cancers Company in Indianapolis with teammates as neighborhood service occasions he discovered notably rewarding. He additionally talked about a baseball camp, a back-to-school bag-packing occasion for youngsters in foster care and a monetary literacy program for center faculty and highschool college students as occasions he felt have been effectively run and effectively obtained.
“We play a very laborious sport the place there are loads of ups and downs, and it may be powerful at instances, however there are loads of actually tough issues happening in life for lots of different individuals,” Solak stated. “So, to have the ability to get out and assist these individuals and perhaps put a smile on their face actually helps put issues in perspective. I believe guys actually get pleasure from going out locally and serving to individuals. There’s an actual strategy to make an affect.”
When it was established, the PCCP outlined that each Pirates Minor League participant should full a minimal of 10 hours of neighborhood service every season, and plenty of of them went above and past that quantity. Nevertheless, a latest change to the Minor League portion of the Collective Bargaining Settlement stipulated that neighborhood service can not be required.
Paige Moshier, the Pirates’ coordinator of course of and integration, works with neighborhood relations reps on the Minor League associates to manage the PCCP. She admitted caring concerning the requirement to take part being eliminated however is completely happy to report this system has continued to be effectively supported by the gamers.
“We’re nonetheless getting actually good participation, nevertheless it’s extra pushed by the gamers’ pursuits and issues they see as helpful, reasonably than a requirement,” Moshier stated. “And I really feel it must be pushed by issues that the gamers are captivated with and issues which are vital to the group. They’re not doing it out of any sense of obligation. It’s simply who they’re and the values they maintain. So, that’s been actually nice.”
House base for Moshier is the Pirate Metropolis coaching advanced in Bradenton, Fla., however she often travels to go to neighborhood relations reps and gamers on the Pirates’ farm golf equipment. Her efforts are designed to enhance the effectiveness of the PCCP and emphasize the values of the group.
“That’s the place the Miracle League is available in,” Moshier stated. “That’s one thing that Mr. Nutting is tremendous captivated with and the Pirates are very tied in with. So, we began with that as we labored to determine how we will enhance the PCCP and the worth that it gives to the affiliate communities. We’d wish to see extra formalized partnerships, beginning with having our gamers doing as many Miracle League occasions as they’ll.
“The concept is that as gamers transfer via the system, they’ll turn into conversant in the Miracle League and different partnerships we’d kind sooner or later. We’d wish to see extra continuity throughout the associates, and the affiliate neighborhood reps have taken that and completed the majority of the heavy lifting. I’ve helped determine the place we will set up some completely different processes, however they’ve actually taken it and run with it. They’re those making it work.”
Like all neighborhood service endeavors by the Pirates, the PCCP has been guided by the spirit of Clemente, and it at all times will probably be.
“Sure, the one who deserves credit score for all of that is Roberto Clemente,” Chernow stated. “He’s the one which set the usual, and we have now an obligation as Pirates and stewards of the group to honor his legacy. If we do job with the schooling piece, it is going to actually assist our gamers perceive the ‘why.’ The PCCP and striving to make our communities higher is one thing we may be happy with up and down the group.”
