Pirates and ROOT SPORTS partner to host sixth annual "Pirates Charities on ROOT SPORTS Auction" during July 9 telecast

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Pirates Charities announced, in conjunction with ROOT SPORTS, the sixth annual "Pirates Charities on ROOT SPORTS Auction" scheduled for Tuesday, July 9 when the Pirates host the Oakland Athletics at 7:05 p.m.

Last season fans all across the country joined in to support the auction that raised a Pirates Charities fundraising record $500,000.

Proceeds raised from this year's auction will go to fund the seven Miracle League programs Pirates Charities currently supports including the brand new Miracle League project in Indiana County. Other Miracle League programs include those located in Wheeling, West Virginia, Bradenton Florida and Altoona, Cranberry, Murrysville and South Hills, Pennsylvania. On July 2, Pirates Charities pledged $150,000 toward the construction of the "Pirates Charities Miracle League Field" in Indiana County. This newest addition to the Pirates Charities Miracle League family will be the home of the Miracle League of Indiana County and will be located at the YMCA of Indiana County.

ROOT SPORTS will broadcast this year's on-air auction live from the Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club inside PNC Park. In addition, a live phone bank-- which will be staffed by Pirates celebrities and Front Office personnel -- will be stationed inside the Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club to take live bids.

During the game on Tuesday, fans will have the opportunity to bid on six featured premium experiences that include a night of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey with Clint Hurdle and his wife Karla, a ROOT SPORTS "Root for Your Pirates" Commercial and a road trip with the Pittsburgh Pirates to Colorado to watch the Bucs take on the Rockies for a three-game series.

Additional premium packages are as follows:

• 2014 Spring Training Trip to Bradenton, Florida
• Softball Game and Picnic on the Field at PNC Park
• "A Collector's Dream" of various Pirates Memorabilia autographed by the 2013 Pirates

During the evening, fans will also have the opportunity to purchase VIP Bags for a donation of $125 each. The ROOT SPORTS/Pirates Charities bags will include a baseball autographed by an individual Pirates player, Pirates baseball tickets, an Andrew McCutchen bobblehead and other Pirates merchandise. Select bags will also randomly include vouchers for a variety of premium items including an Andrew McCutchen autographed jersey; a Neil Walker autographed cap and a flat screen TV.

In addition, fans can purchase a VIP-PLUS bag for a $550 donation that includes a regular VIP bag PLUS an authentic Pirates home white or black alternate game jersey autographed by their favorite player!

The VIP and VIP-PLUS bags can be purchased in person at the Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club beginning at 5:30 p.m., for fans in attendance, online at pirates.com/rootsportsauction or by calling (412) 325-4888.

"Partnering with the Pirates to showcase Pirates Charities and the Miracle League program is very special to us," said Shawn McClintock, Senior Vice President & General Manager of ROOT SPORTS. "This year's auction will continue the expansion of the Miracle League, as a new field will be constructed providing an opportunity for children with special needs to play baseball. We have prepared a special hour-long Pregame show and in-game features that will directly introduce fans to the Miracle League kids, parents and programs supported through this auction so the viewers see how their involvement truly makes a difference"

The live auction will start with the ROOT SPORTS Pirates Pregame show at 6 p.m. and end immediately following the last out of the game. Fans will be able to place bids by calling (412) 325-4888 or fans in attendance may place their bids by visiting the Rivertowne Brewing Hall of Fame Club in-person beginning at 5:30 p.m.

The winner of each item will be announced during on ROOT SPORTS Pirates Post-Game show. For complete details on the July 9 auction and the premium items up for bid, please visit pirates.com/rootsportsauction.

About Pirates Charities
Pirates Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses on three core areas of youth health, fitness and education. Each year, Pirates Charities and the Pirates partner with more than 3,000 organizations and programs committed to improving the lives of children and adults. Pirates Charities has created successful signature programs including Pirates Fields for Kids, Wins for Kids, Pitch for Hope as well as others supporting cancer research and families and youth in our community. To learn more about Pirates positive impact in the community, visit pirates.com/community.