Pirates players and coaches to visit Pittsburgh's Banksville Elementary school as part of Clemente Day celebration

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today they will visit a local elementary school as part of the annual Clemente Day celebration on Wednesday, September 17 beginning at 10:40 a.m. During the event, Pirates' players will hand-deliver school supplies to and meet with the children at Banksville Elementary School, a Pittsburgh Public School.

This is the fifth year that the Pirates and Pirates Charities have visited a Pittsburgh Public School and delivered needed supplies as part of the team's annual Clemente Day festivities. Last year, the Pirates visited the children of Pittsburgh Spring Hill K-5 Elementary School. This initiative is held in conjunction with MLB's Clemente Day, which celebrates the life and community service legacy of Pirates Hall-of-Famer Roberto Clemente.

During the Pirates' visit to Banksville Elementary, the children will attend an assembly, emceed by Pirates broadcaster Tim Neverett, with Pirates front office staff, players and coaches from 10:40 a.m. to noon. The Clemente Family will be in attendance and speak to the students as well. For the second consecutive year, the Pirates will partner with the Carnegie Science Center, which will present the "Physics of Baseball" during the assembly.

During the morning event, Pirates' players will help to distribute $40,000 in school supplies and equipment purchased by Pirates Charities including televisions and two-way radios for in-classroom use. Each student will receive a book bag filled with Pirates items, a Roberto Clemente children's book and an at-home study kit. Pirates Charities will also distribute fitness packs for each student that includes a baseball glove, Frisbee, jump rope, water bottle and two baseballs. In addition, the school will receive recess equipment including baseball tees, bases, bats, baseballs and softballs, and much more.

Pirates Corporate Partner Chick-Fil-A will provide and serve a complimentary lunch to the more than 290 children of the school.

Also on Wednesday-- during a special pregame ceremony at PNC Park, the 2014 Roberto Clemente Award will be presented to Pirates' starting pitcher Charlie Morton who combines outstanding skills on the baseball field with devoted work in the community. In addition to the award, Morton will be presented with a framed, vintage replica Roberto Clemente jersey for his work in the community. As part of an MLB-wide initiative, Morton will join 29 other players, one from every club, and will be eligible to win the 2014 Major League Baseball Clemente Award. This overall award will be given during the 2014 World Series.

The Pirates will also recognize one player from each of their minor league affiliates as the recipients of the organization's seventh annual Pirates Community Commitment Program (PCCP) awards. This program encourages players throughout the Pirates' system to emulate Clemente's legacy of community service.

More than 21,500 hours of community service have been performed by Pirates players throughout the organization since the program was implemented in 2008. Each player has completed a minimum of 10 hours of community service in their respective affiliate's community during this season.

The Pirates minor league players receiving the PCCP awards include:
• Adam Wilk, Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
• Josh Bell, Altoona Curve (AA)
• John Kuchno & Jonathan Schwind, Bradenton Marauders (High-A)
• Kawika Emsley-Pai, West Virginia Power (Low-A)
• Erik Forgione, Jamestown Jammers (Short Season-A)
• Trae Arbet, Bristol Pirates (Rookie League)
• Neil Kozikowski, Gulf Coast League Pirates (Rookie League)
• Yeudy Garcia, Dominican Summer League Pirates

For more information about Pirates Charities please visit pirates.com/piratescharities.