Pirates Charities, the official philanthropic arm of the Pittsburgh Pirates, today announced the recipients of the “Fields for Kids” matching grant program for the entire 2019 season. Members of area nonprofits that have benefited this year will be recognized tonight in a pregame, on-field ceremony at PNC Park.  

The Fields for Kids program is one of Pirates Charities’ signature programs and provides financial support to improve youth baseball and/or softball facilities through matching grants ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 or more, as necessary.  

Grant funds may be used for the upgrading of essential field components such as sod, infield playing surfaces, fencing, dugouts and irrigation systems. Upgrades to the overall facility, including lights, bleachers, scoreboards, concession stands, and ADA/accessibility improvements are also eligible.   

A total of 38 organizations that operate youth baseball and softball programs located throughout three states are impacted by the 2019 grants. Groups in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia were awarded funds to help ensure their programs continue to thrive. In 2019, Pirates Charities distributed the 38 grants over two grant cycles (Spring and Fall) with 24 grants between $1,000 and $5,000 being awarded to area nonprofits, 12 grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 distributed, and two larger grants totaling $58,000. 

“We are incredibly proud of our Fields for Kids program and the support it has given so many groups that serve thousands of kids in our community,” said Pirates Charities Chairman Bob Nutting.  

The positive impact of the grants can be seen throughout western Pennsylvania as 31 of the grants have been awarded over 13 counties in the state, with the remaining seven grants awarded in Ohio (1) and West Virginia (6). In all, over 10,600 youth participate in these organizations.  

This season, Pirates partner PNC has assisted the Fields for Kids program to support several of the local groups receiving grants with a $25,000 donation to help with the various projects for organizations such as the Cranberry Chaos Fastpitch Softball, Clarion Little League, the Borough of South Greensburg, the BerlinBrothersvalley School District and the YMCA of Indiana County. 

In addition, Pirates partner Koppers Inc. has committed their support to Blackhawk Area Youth Baseball Association by donating treated wood utility poles to help complete the association’s field lighting project. 

The largest matching grant received this round was awarded to the Youth Baseball Association of Harrison County in Clarksburg, WV. The group received $37,500 to assist with the construction of an indoor baseball practice facility. The project includes the installation of field turf, bases, netting and more.  

Other larger projects this season include $20,500 for the YMCA of Indiana County to upgrade three fields for the more than 1,750 boys and girls they serve. A $10,000 grant was awarded to the Norwin Community Athletic Association to rebuild their Pony League field following flooding. The Norwin organization has 550 local participants who rely on the fields. 

Since the Fields for Kids program’s inception in 2009, 364 individual grants have been distributed in the greater Pittsburgh region, in addition to 45 grants in the Pirates Spring Training Home of Bradenton, Florida, since the program began there in 2011. To find out more information, including a downloadable application, please visit pirates.com/piratescharities.