BUTLER TWP - Despite 12 consecutive losing seasons and snow on the ground, interest in the Pittsburgh Pirates appears as strong as ever.

Season ticket sales are up nearly 30 percent and 14,000 fans attended PirateFest at the Convention Center last weekend.

Another 220 people attended the Pirates Winter Caravan stop at the Butler County Community College Convocation Center Wednesday.

"It was exciting to see the 'Pirate Caravan Sold Out' sign greet us as we arrived on campus," Pirate broadcaster Lanny Frattare said. "That was very encouraging."

The caravan luncheon - featuring broadcasters Frattare and Steve Blass, Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield, manager Lloyd McClendon, players Craig Wilson, Tike Redman and Mike Gonzalez, and the Pirate Parrot - was co-sponsored by the Butler Eagle and Butler Rotary Club.

The Pirates signed autographs for fans and talked about the upcoming 2005 season.

Blass related a story about Butler resident Ed Vargo, a National League umpire during Blass' playing days.

"I was never thrown out of a ballgame, but I came close one time with Eddie," he said. "He was umpiring third and called a balk on me. I took a step toward him to protest.

"He said 'If that left foot comes down, you're outta here.' I turned around and hopped back to the mound."

Littlefield was asked how strongly the Pirates tried to sign Butler resident Matt Clement, a free agent pitcher who recently signed a three-year deal with the World Series champion Boston Red Sox.

"We like to have local players play for the Pirates," Littlefield said. "Matt's had a solid career and received a lucrative offer from the Red Sox for a lot of years - and it was well-deserved.

"We do have a few local players in our system now. Jacob Cuffman, of course, is a pitcher from Butler. We also have Neil Walker from nearby Pine-Richland and (pitcher Brian) Holliday from Moon Township."

Cuffman was 0-1 with a 4.62 earned run average in 16

innings with Bradenton of the Gulf Coast League last year. Neil Walker, a catcher and the team's first-round selection in last June's amateur draft, hit .271 with four homers and 20 RBI for Bradenton.

Holliday was 7-8 with a 4.61 ERA for Class A Hickory in 2004.

"Our goal is to win a championship, not finish at .500 or just be competitive," Littlefield said. "We had a lot of positives last year toward getting to that point.

"We had a 10-game winning streak, Jason Bay won Rookie of the Year, Mike Gonzalez made the all-rookie team out of the bullpen, Jack Wilson had 200 hits, Oliver Perez led the major leagues in most strikeouts per nine innings. We have a lot we can build on," he added.

McClendon said he feels a lot better about the Pirates entering spring training this year than he did in 2004.

"During last year's caravan, I kept doing the Abbott and Costello routine when talking about our team," he said. "Who's on first, what's on second, I don't know on third, I don't care in center … we were in dire straits going into spring training.

"That's certainly not the case now. We've made some important strides."

The last time the Pirates had a winning season, McClendon was an active player with the team. He is the last Pirate to hit a home run in postseason play.

"I know what this area is like when we can produce a winner," McClendon said. "We're hungry for that winner, and I believe we're heading that way.

"I firmly believe that if you have sincere belief in your ability, you can do what you want to do. Keep having faith in us and we'll get the job done."

The Pirates raffled off a gift basket at the luncheon with proceeds benefiting the tsunami relief fund.

The Butler Rotary Club presented a check for $75,000 - raised by the organization through donations - for tsunami victims as well.