Pirates Charities Hits Home Run With Miracle League Fantasy Camp

The love of baseball is never more evident than at the Miracle League of Manasota Field.

On Wednesday at Longwood Run Park in Sarasota, members of the Pittsburgh Pirates should have worn Superman capes under their white uniform jerseys. Already heroes to millions who follow their every at-bat and pitch tossed during the MLB season, but their volunteering for 90 minutes after their daily spring training workout at Pirate City earlier in the day to brighten the day of 36 members signed up for the Miracle League Fantasy Camp easily could leave one speechless.

The camp was for children and adults with special needs. The field is gorgeous. Tucked away at Longwood Run Park, the players and their supportive families filed into Manasota Field to sign in, collect a personalized official Pirates jersey, be issued a Pirates cap, and be assigned a “buddy” to escort them throughout their stay.

With such an overwhelming Pirates presence at Manasota Field, it wasn’t much of a stretch to claim it as an unofficial extension of Pirate City in neighboring Bradenton. Pittsburgh’s longtime broadcaster, Greg Brown, performed masterfully in directing people’s traffic at the four stations on the field. Each station was manned by a Pirate(s) offering batting, throwing, and running challenges. To even further offer a true Pirates baseball night-at-the-park atmosphere, mascots were roaming from home plate to the outfield.

Well-known to Pittsburgh fans, the Pirate Parrot and Perogies brightened the participants’ time at the camp to another level. Hugs and high-fives were abundant for all.

There is no box score for Wednesday’s Pirates-campers collaboration. It didn't matter if a player favored throwing or hitting from their right or left side. The smiles on their faces scored all the runs necessary to declare the event a victory.

“The Pirates have a long history in supporting charities,” explains Travis Williams, Pittsburgh’s team president. “We love the partnership the Pirates have with Chris (Miracle League of Manasota Executive Director Chris Cushman) and Miracle League. They are very special people.”

The message from family members of the participants of the fantasy camp to those observing, some for the first time, is love. Helping one another, whether watching a team photo be taken with Pirate players or cheering on as a continuous stream of participants round the bases and raise their arms up in jubilant fashion when touching home plate, you knew you were at a special place.

Seeing some of the Pirates, Billy Cook, Jared Jones, and Braxton Ashcraft among the group that made the drive over from Bradenton, interacting with their new friends and fans was heartwarming and genuine. After “Play Ball” was shouted to start the camp, the momentum only increased, allowing all to gather wonderful memories through so many acts of giving without wanting.

Manager Don Kelly and members of his coaching staff were representatives of the Pirates, just like the players, in encouraging all the participants.

With the spring youth 2026 season of the Miracle League set for Opening Day on February 28, getting off to a memorable start with the Pirates is important to Robyn Graham, president of the Miracle League board of directors.

“The Pirates are wonderful sponsors. The way the players interact here is phenomenal. (Pirates) bring awareness to what we have here.”

Graham tells of a schedule of games that begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue every hour on the hour, with the last game starting at 11 a.m. An attendance of approximately 100 supporters is expected for each game. Participants' ages range from 5 to 15 in the youth division and 26 to 75 in the adult division.

What took place at Manasota Field on Wednesday was a collaboration of those with gifted athletic talents meshing with those simply gifted. What a wonderful thing baseball can be.