PirateFest highlights for Saturday, December 13- Sunday, December 14, 2014

The 25th PirateFest-- presented by T-Mobile-- will get underway at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Saturday, December 13 from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the first time ever the event will be free to the public with all proceeds from general autograph session donations going to support the It's About the Warrior Foundation (IATW).

Tickets for the 2014 PirateFest autograph sessions are available for a $20 donation to IATW at pirates.com/piratefest and a very limited number of tickets for each session will be available at 11 a.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. on Sunday at the event. In addition to the autograph donation opportunities, there will be special FREE autograph sessions for kids ages 14 and younger throughout the entire weekend event.

The baseball carnival will be Pirates-themed with activities for the entire family featuring live events, the ability to purchase tickets for the 2015 season, prizes, games, youth baseball clinics, the Pirate Parrot and much more. 

Please see below for a complete list of each day's scheduled events.
**Note- all event times and participants are subject to change without notice.

Saturday, December 13, 2014 (12 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

• Pirates KIDS ONLY Autographs: Kids 14 and under will be able to get FREE autographs from members of the 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates in the special "Kids Only Line." Current Pirates Players will be available to sign autographs for kids from Noon to 7 p.m.
• Pirates Autographs: For a donation of $20 to IATW (presold tickets) fans are guaranteed autographs to their sessions. Sessions include: Starling Marte, Al Oliver and Jack Wilson (12- 1:30 p.m.); Gregory Polanco, Jeff Locke and John Smiley (1:30- 3 p.m.); Vernon Law, Omar Moreno, John Candelaria and Rick Reuschel (3- 4 p.m.); John Holdzkom, Mike Lavalliere and Doug Drabek (4- 5:30 p.m.); Francisco Cervelli, Dave Parker and Bill Virdon (5:30- 7p.m.).

PirateFest Main Stage

• Card Sharks: Pirates in-house talent Joe Klimchak will be on the main stage for the Bucs version of Card Sharks from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as a Pirates broadcaster will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. featuring Pirates broadcaster Tim Neverett and reliever Jared Hughes.
• Cooking with the Bucs: Fans will have the chance to watch as closer Mark Melancon puts his culinary skills to the test in Cooking with the Bucs from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.
• Jersey Unveil: The Pirates will unveil their new alternate jersey for 2015 today at PirateFest! Players will be wearing the jerseys throughout the weekend and select jerseys will be given away on the team's social media accounts to lucky fans throughout the weekend.
• PirateFest Q&A: Greg Brown will host a special Q&A between Pirates fans and all attending players and coaches on the main stage from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Ask Pirates Management: Fans will have the opportunity to ask their questions about offseason moves, the 2015 season, and more in this special Q&A with Pirates management team Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington, and Clint Hurdle on the main stage from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• "Oh Say Can You Sing" Competition: Fans interested in trying out for the "Oh Say Can You Sing?" competition will sing The Star Spangled Banner a cappella for a panel of judges during auditions. The judges will then pass out 10 "golden tickets" throughout the day. Those fans will participate in the "Oh Say Can You Sing?" competition on the main stage from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. A panel of judges including Andrew Lambo, Chris Stewart, John Candelaria and broadcaster John Wehner, will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2015.
• Pierogy Eating Contest: Pirates fans will have the opportunity to participate in the popular Pierogy eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T's Pierogies-- hosted by John Wehner from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

PirateFest Field

• Photo Opportunity: From Noon to 12:30 p.m., A.J. Burnett will be available and from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Gregory Polanco and Francisco Cervelli will be available for special photo opportunities.
• Coaches Q&A: John Wehner will host a special Pirates Coaches Q&A from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with coaches Jeff Branson, Brad Fischer, Euclides Rojas, Ray Searage and Rick Sofield.
• Kids Press Conference: John Wehner will host a special Kids Only Press Conference from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer.
• Science of Baseball: The Carnegie Science Center will present the Science of Baseball from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Beat the Parrot: Greg Brown will host Beat the Parrot from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Kids 14 and under will challenge the Pirate Parrot in a series of minute-long challenges.

Coaches Corner

• Batting Cages and Home to First: Get tips from the pros as the Pirates coaching staff will teach kids batting and base running in the Coach's Corner from Noon to 3 p.m. Jeff Branson, Brad Fischer, Ray Searage, Rick Sofield and Euclides Rojas will be on hand to assist with drills and batting instructions.

 Sunday, December 14, 2014 (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

• Pirates KIDS ONLY Autographs: Kids 14 and under will be able to get FREE autographs from members of the 2015 Pittsburgh Pirates in the special "Kids Only Line." Current Pirates Players will be available to sign autographs for kids from Noon to 4 p.m. 
• Pirates Autographs: For a donation of $20 to IATW (presold tickets) fans are guaranteed autographs to their sessions. Sessions include: Mark Melancon, El Roy Face and Al Oliver (10- 11:30 a.m.); A.J. Burnett, Dick Groat and Omar Moreno (11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.); Andrew Lambo, Doug Drabek, Mike LaValliere (1 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.); Dave Parker, Bob Friend, Sid Bream and John Candelaria (2:30- 4 p.m.)

PirateFest Main Stage

• Deal or No Deal: Fans can participate in the fun as a Pirates broadcaster will host Deal or No Deal on the Pirates main stage from 11 a.m. to Noon featuring Pirates broadcaster Tim Neverett and shortstop Jordy Mercer.
• Pierogy Eating Contest: Pirates fans will have the opportunity to participate in the popular Pierogy eating contest-- presented by Mrs. T's Pierogies-- hosted by Steve Blass and Tim Neverett and featuring Andrew Lambo and Mark Melancon from Noon to 1 p.m.
• 1960 World Series Champions Q&A: Members of the Pirates 1960 World Series Championship team including ElRoy Face, Bob Friend, Dick Groat, Vernon Law and Bill Virdon will take part in a special Q&A hosted by Pirates broadcaster and 1971 World Champion Steve Blass from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
• Ask Pirates Management: Fans will have the opportunity to ask their questions about offseason moves, the 2015 season, and more in this special Q&A with Pirates management team Frank Coonelly, Neal Huntington, and Clint Hurdle on the main stage from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
• Cooking with the Bucs: Fans will have the chance to watch Pirates catcher Chris Stewart put his culinary skills to the test in Cooking with the Bucs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• "Oh Say Can You Sing" Competition: Fans interested in trying out for the "Oh Say Can You Sing?" competition will sing The Star Spangled Banner a cappella for a panel of judges during auditions. The judges will then pass out 10 "golden tickets" throughout the day. Those fans will participate in the "Oh Say Can You Sing?" competition on the main stage from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. A panel of judges including Jeff Locke, Francisco Cervelli, Gregory Polanco and broadcaster Greg Brown, will select one winner to sing the Star Spangled Banner at a Pirates home game in 2015.

PirateFest Field

• Photo Opportunity: From 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Starling Marte and Charlie Morton will be available for special photo opportunities.
• Coaches Q&A: Bob Walk will host a special Pirates Coaches Q&A from Noon to 1 p.m. with coaches Jeff Branson, Brad Fischer, Euclides Rojas, Ray Searage and Rick Sofield.
• Kids Press Conference: Bob Walk will host a special Kids Only Press Conference from 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle.
• Beat the Parrot: Bob Walk will host Beat the Parrot from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Kids 14 and under will challenge the Pirate Parrot in a series of minute-long challenges.
• Science of Baseball: The Carnegie Science Center will present the Science of Baseball from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Coaches Corner

• Batting Cages and Home to First: Get tips from the pros as the Pirates coaching staff will teach kids batting and base running in the Coach's Corner from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jeff Branson, Brad Fischer, Ray Searage, Rick Sofield and Euclides Rojas will be on hand to assist with drills and batting instructions.

Toy Drive
Fans attending PirateFest are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to the Pirates Charities booth to support the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. The toys will be donated throughout Allegheny County through the office of Children, Youth and Families. All fans who donate a new toy at PirateFest will receive a special Pirates item.

T-Mobile Phone-A-Friend Booth
The T-Mobile "Phone-a-Friend" area is a personalized experience for you and a friend of your choice. Attending Pirates players and celebrities will stop by the area and for the lucky winners will talk with or leave a message for a friend.
Participating players are:

Saturday
1:30 p.m. Al Oliver
2 p.m. Andrew Lambo
3 p.m. Bob Walk
4 p.m. Jeff Locke

Sunday
11:30 a.m. Clint Hurdle
12 p.m. Charlie Morton
12:30 p.m. Jared Hughes
1 p.m. Mark Melancon

Parking Information
Fans are encouraged to park in the David L. Lawrence Convention Center garage or the surface lot on 11th Street and Smallman Street in the Pittsburgh Strip District.

Pirates Charities Raffle
Fans are encouraged to visit the Pirates Charities booth to purchase raffle tickets for the chance to win autographed jerseys, baseballs, and more from Pirates players, as well as autographed items from a number of other Major League Baseball teams. Tickets will be on-sale at the booth and will be one for $2 or three for $5 with all proceeds benefiting Pirates Charities and IATW. The drawing will take place on Sunday, December 14 at 4 p.m. Winner need not be present.

Pirates Authentics
Pirates Authentics, along with memorabilia partner Hunt Auctions, will have all your favorite player autographed and gameused items available for purchase at PirateFest. This year's premium items feature Pirates postseason memorabilia including champagne bottles, game-used baseballs, game-used bases and postseason game-worn jerseys. Hunt Auctions will be offering appraisal services as attendees of PirateFest will have the opportunity to have their sports memorabilia and cards appraised by Hunt Auctions' nationally recognized experts. The appraisals are conducted at no charge upon paid admission to PirateFest with categories including autographs, cards, bats, tickets, programs, and gameused items. Fans who wish to arrange for a specific timed appointment or need assistance in the handling of their items may contact [email protected] for more details.

BucSocial VIP Area
Followers of the Pirates social media sites were given an opportunity to win passes to the Pirates exclusive BucSocial VIP area simply by following the Pirates on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A special meet and greet with Pirates players, coaches and celebrities in our BucSocial VIP Area, a chance to create content for our social media channels, an opportunity to interview players and more!

Below are a list of the players and celebrities scheduled to appear in the BucSocialVIP area:
Saturday
• 1 p.m. Mark Melancon
• 3 p.m. Clint Hurdle
• 3:30 p.m. Jack Wilson
• 4:30 p.m. Jared Hughes
Sunday
• 12 p.m. John Holdzkom
• 2 p.m. A.J. Burnett
• 2:30 p.m. Vernon Law
• 3:30 p.m. Francisco Cervelli

Pirates Group Tickets
Pirates Group Ticket Packages are now available for the 2015 season. A Pirates group outing starts at just 15 tickets, and is the perfect way to entertain clients, promote teamwork, strengthen relationships, and boost morale while experiencing an unforgettable event! Companies, schools, churches, associations, and teams will all enjoy special group benefits. For more information regarding purchasing group tickets, talk with a ticket representative at the 2014 PirateFest, call 1-800-BUYBUCS or visit pirates.com/groups.

Pirates Season Ticket Memberships
Full Season, Half Season, and 20-game season ticket Memberships are available for the 2015 season. Choose from a Full Season Plan starting as low as $599, 41-Game Plan featuring every weekend game, and 20-Game Plans that are designed around the best games of the season. Fans can visit pirates.com/tickets for more information.

Individual Tickets
For those fans who want to ensure that they get their seats for all games on their 2015 wish list, season ticket plans are also on sale now. Choose from a Full Season Plan starting as low as $599, 41-Game Plan featuring every weekend game, and 20-Game Plans that are designed around the best games of the season. Fans can visit pirates.com/tickets for more information.

For complete PirateFest information and to order tickets visit pirates.com/piratefest.