At Miracle League camp, Pirates players help spread baseballs’ joy
CRANBERRY TWP — On Friday, Aug. 14, the Pittsburgh Pirates ended their game around 10 p.m., defeating the Boston Red Sox 8-4. Hitters like Brandon Lowe and Esmerlyn Valdez had key RBI’s to put the game out of reach.
Twelve hours later, those same players and more appeared at Graham Park Saturday morning, spending time with the Miracle league of Southwestern Pennsylvania and enjoying baseball with children who love the game.
“James loves baseball, but he can’t play for a regular team. So getting to be out here, he thinks about this all week long,” said Jimmy Hogue, a Miracle League parent. “He plays on Tuesdays and Saturdays in the Miracle League. He’s always about baseball, and he loves the Pirates. They’ve been great to him.”
James followed up his dad comment with: “Best day ever.”
The Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania hosted a “Pirates Fantasy Camp” for more than 50 Miracle League athletes Saturday morning alongside the Pirates and Pirates charities. Miracle League provides opportunities for children and adults with physical and mental disabilities.
“It’s such a nice thing that they took time to be hear. I know they had a game last night and they have a game tonight, but they take time out of their day to be with these kids, they’ve been wonderful to them,” said Michelle Glad, a Butler resident and parent of 7-year-old athlete, Graham.
With Pirates announcer Greg Brown calling the play, Miracle League players could run around the bases for a home run. Meanwhile, others played catch and took soft-toss batting practice with the Pirates who were present.
Players who attended included Lowe and Valdez, other stars like pitcher Paul Skenes and rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin, Mitch Keller, Jake Mangum, Isaac Mattson and Ronny Simon, manager Don Kelly and several assistant coaches.
“Ultimately, the community is the biggest part of any fan base, or anything around the team,” Lowe, the Pirates’ 2026 home run leader. “Obviously we work for a good amount of time on the field, but I’m not getting there ‘til about 1. If I can get out here around 10, and get to see the smiles on their faces and see energy they bring, it makes you appreciate what we get to do so much more.”
The chance to spend time on the ball field with local children, players and coaches said, was refreshing.
It’s been a long, grueling season for the Pirates, with a month and a half to go.
Still in a wildcard race, the Pirates have been beleaguered by injuries while highs and lows, stretches of winning and stretches of losing. Among the injuries is Griffin, the rooking phenom, who is still out with a left hand injury.
“It’s really important just to get out in the community, put some smiles on people’s faces. We play baseball every day, but we also get to come out here and do this, it’s pretty awesome,” Griffin said.
At 60-64, the Pirates are in last place in their division as of Aug. 15, following an early August losing streak. However, there are only five-and-a-half games back in the wildcard race and hanging around.
“It’s easy to lose that feeling when, we’re close to game 130 at this point. Games every day, the ups and downs, baseball will beat the crap out of you a little bit,” Lowe said. “But you show up, and you see their smiles, they’re having a great time and want to be out here, it brings that youthful energy back to you a bit, and makes you appreciate things.”
As the pressure mounts, and expectations surround the team, it’s important to remember that baseball is supposed to be fun, players and coaches said.
“It’s very important to us. You see the guys that came out today. The players and staff filling out all the stations, it’s so cool to see the fun and excitement that baseball brings these kids,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “There’s a lot of times we can get caught up in the pressure and the grind of a season, and to take a step back and appreciate it, and see the fun that it is, is really good.”
Players also pointed to the importance of using their platform to promote good causes, and agreed that getting to see the smiles on people’s faces are the reasons they enjoyed taking the time to work with the Miracle League.
“You’re reminded of ourselves as kids, and why you want to play. It’s fun, and you want to try and win baseball games, but it’s always cool to get back into these environments and give back, said Isaac Mattson, a Pirates relief pitcher.
As the battlin’ Bucs continue playing ball, the franchise as a whole wants to have a positive impact off the field too, Pirates owner Bob Nutting said.
“The Miracle League has been a really special and important partner of the Pirates and for Pirates Charities for a long time. Overall, we really want to engage in the community and be a positive force,” Nutting said. “I think this is a great example of how we can show up. We can bring our players, and bring special moments.”
During a speech to the athletes and parents beforehand, Nutting recalled the first Miracle League athlete he met, and has had a lasting impact: Jordan, the daughter of Mike Sherry, president of the Miracle League of Southwestern Pennsylvania.
Jordan and others, Nutting said, have inspired him to stay committed to the Miracle League.
“Watching her progress from a 3-year-old who wasn’t ready to play yet, to 7 years old when we opened the field, to I think she’s 23 now, helping organize these programs, it’s such a good reminder of what we’re doing here, and what these kids can do,” Nutting said.
“It’s so easy to get stuck at the disability. It’s easy to stop at the wheel chair. And today’s a great reminder for us, these are all beautiful children that deserve our support, and love and engagement.”
Between getting a signed ball or glove, or a picture with the players, or getting to experience playing a sport on a team for the first time, the experience can impact the athletes for the rest of their lives, Sherry said.
“A lot of these athletes, for the very first time, find themselves on a field with Pittsburgh Pirates players. It’s so impactful to their lives,” Sherry said. “The Pirates understand the challenges of the special needs community, and what life is like outside the ballfield. There can be difficult days and nights. But it’s special. It’s special to these kids.”
The Miracle League has various divisions for children and adults based on ages and abilities — but an opportunity to play baseball, nonetheless.
“It’s been so good. I’ve never been to fantasy camp, said Patrick Weakland a Miracle League athlete who plays in its adult league. “I like playing. I make friends. We have fun.”
