The relationship between a pitcher and his catcher is often an especially close one. They practice together constantly, go over scouting reports and need to have a connection on game day in order to succeed.
The Pirates’ Braxton Ashcraft and Joey Bart might have just taken it a step further.
Ashcraft and his wife, Cassidy, knew they were expecting a baby girl, but their family didn't know the gender. And with the family in attendance for Ashcraft’s start at PNC Park against the Nationals on Thursday, Bart helped out with a unique gender reveal.
Taking the field in the top of the first inning, the Pittsburgh catcher popped out of the dugout with a pink sleeve on his right arm. That means … it’s a girl!
The family celebrated with Cassidy in the stands as Braxton finished his warmup on the mound. Bart had a big smile on his face, too, being able to help with such a special moment.
“Me and my wife have known for a while now so getting that off our chest, being able to celebrate that with our family, is really cool,” Ashcraft said. “I’m just thankful for Don [Kelly] and Ben [Cherington] for letting us be able to do that. For Joey [Bart] to be willing to go out and have a pink armband on.”