Only A Few More Weeks

If baseball was a movie, then this past week was the teaser trailer. The Winter Caravan and Pirate Fest pacified our need for baseball, showing fan favorites, returning veterans and new additions to the team.


The week long festivities ended Sunday, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, with Pirate Fest, an indoor carnival type atmosphere, for people of all ages. Unfortunately, I was only able to attend Friday night, exclusive to season ticket holders and their guests. As guests climbed the escalator, they were welcomed with a festive balloon arrangement, cleverly done, featuring a pirates head, in the center.

Arriving early seemed to be a good plan, but isn't when everyone else had that same idea. The line increasingly  grew, as the crowd, of over a thousand, became anxious to meet their favorite players, and have them sign some autographs. There were varieties of items, and memorabilia, that could be seen by all fans; bats, balls, posters, hats and jerseys.

Once the doors were open, it was a mad dash to the autograph line, where Paul Maholm, Andrew McCutchen and Kevin Correia were signing. For those lucky enough, they were able to get through the line fast enough, as it was the main attraction for, better part of the night. Maholm, McCutchen and Correia's time ran short, and were replaced by Jeff Karstens and, a surprise in, Jose Tabata. Waiting in line for over an hour to get a few baseballs autographed, was well worth it.

After clearing the line, I immediately found myself checking out a lot of the, carnival type, games and if you won, you could choose from many different give aways. I was fortunate enough to win two items, a bobblehead and a fleece blanket, both of which I hadn't received in the past (score for me!).

This upcoming season, as a lot of you may know, there aren't as many promotional give aways. Not many people were aware of the display cases, showing us what we are looking forward to this season, with the items, for all to see. The Andrew McCutchen action figure, in my opinion, isn't as cool the Garrett Jones action figure, from last year. Neil Walker has to be ecstatic to have his own bobblehead, from the team he grew up loving, and we all will love getting it in May. T-Shirt Friday's will give us a few cool shirts again, only in sizes Small and XL though (HA). In early June, the celebration of the 1971 World Series Championship begins, and they will be giving away another ceramic stein (not pictured) and a photo wrap canvas, of the iconic celebration between Steve Blass and Manny Sanguillen.

All kids (14 and younger), will be excited to received a lot of items this year as well; a miniature bat, a glove, and the ever popular pierogies. The obvious highlight, for the kids, is the alternate Pedro Alvarez replica jersey. Overall, there are still quality promotions, including the Sky Blasts and fireworks night. Don't be discouraged by, the Pirates, having less promotions, a lot of teams only have one per home stand, if that.


Some other attractions included, playing Guitar Hero, Deal or No Deal, We Are Fam-A-Lee Feud with some of your favorite players. Also had an interactive sports broadcast booth, with the new ROOT Sports Pittsburgh, and a baseball clinic, with Manager Clint Hurdle. 


What seemed to be the biggest attraction, was the Q & A with players and management. All types of questions were asked, some ridiculing ownership and management, and some fun questions, asking Andrew McCutchen to do the "Dougie."


Quite an impressive weekend by Pirates fans, coming in masses for the three day event, drawing 16,839, a record number for the event. Having a week off from football and hockey, baseball made its winter return, and will be back in full swing in only a few weeks.