BUTLER TWP — The Pittsburgh Pirates are riding a skid of 13 consecutive losing seasons.

But that stretch of dismal finishes — including last year's 67-95 mark — has not dampened the enthusiasm or quelled the passion of the organization's loyal fan base.

The annual Pirates Winter Caravan luncheon Monday at Butler County Community College attracted 320 people, with numerous other ticket requests turned away.

The luncheon was sponsored by the Butler Eagle and the Butler Rotary Club.

"This is the second straight year we've sold out this event in Butler," Pirates broadcaster Lanny Frattare said. "It's become one of the most popular stops on our caravan."

The Pirates Caravan is in the second of a three-week tour that stops in 27 communities in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Maryland through Feb. 3.

Joining Frattare in Butler was broadcast partner John Wehner, along with general manager David Littlefield, new pitching coach Jim Colborn and players Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and Mike Gonzalez.

Littlefield said the most frequent question he's asked each year at caravan stops is when the Pirates are going to acquire local products Sean Casey and Matt Clement.

"I felt like I had to get at least one of the two," Littlefield said, jokingly. "So I got Casey.

"Now I guess I have to work on the other guy."

Casey, a first baseman from Upper St. Clair and perennial National League all-star, batted .312 with Cincinnati last season. Clement, of course, is a Butler resident who pitches for the Boston Red Sox.

The acquisition of Casey and other veteran players in the off-season have a lot of Butler area Pirates fans optimistic.

"I think the team is going to be better than it was before," longtime fan Gary Groves of Chicora said. "It's good to see them signing and keeping around some of the younger players.

He said he didn't like to see the Pirates sign too many older players to one-year contracts.

Groves, 69, said he's been a Pirates fan all his life and remembers seeing Ralph Kiner hit two home runs off ace pitcher Ewell Blackwell.

Tom Green of Butler, a season ticket holder for seven years, said the Pirates should at least reach .500 this year."Win or lose, I'm always behind them," he said.Jason Noullet of Butler said the team should finish five to 10 games above .500."Just getting Casey improves the club so much offensively and defensively," he said. "This is a solid team and the young guys will only get better."Frank Shoemaker of Butler agrees."Headed in the right direction, no question," he said. "We've signed a lot of great players to mix with the new guys coming up."Mark Miller of Butler believes the Pirates may contend for the playoffs this season."This is the most competitive team they've had in a long time," Miller said. "With that pitching staff and a stronger lineup, they're ready to turn the corner."Mindy Beichner of Butler is among the optimists, but is disappointed slugging prospect Brad Eldred will likely begin the season in the minor leagues."I don't see why they're paying Craig Wilson $3 million to sit the bench," she said. "I was hoping they'd trade him so Eldred could stay."The Pirates' trade of utility man Rob Mackowiak to the White Sox disappointed longtime fan Connie Haswell of Evans City.Haswell said she went to her first Pirates game in 1951 "and I've been hooked ever since."He could play a lot of positions and he always plays hard," Haswell said of Mackowiak. "When he hit that grand slam to win that game the day his baby was born … That's one of my favorite memories."The Pirates were 15-28 in one-run games last year, but Shawn Beggs of Slippery Rock sees that changing."(Center fielder) Chris Duffy has a year under his belt, Casey and (outfielder Jeromy) Burnitz will drive in runs," he said. "All those one-run and two-run losses that happened last year won't happen this year."We should contend for a wild-card spot, maybe even a division title. This should be a very good team."Even Littlefield admitted the timing might be right for the Pirates to become a winner again."Someone pointed out to me that the last time the Steelers won the Super Bowl, the Pirates won the World Series," he said. "I'm not in the prediction business, but …"