ports Pirates to Partner with Make-A-Wish to Grant Second Wish of 2015 Spring Season at McKechnie

BRADENTON – The Pittsburgh Pirates have partnered with the Make-A-Wish® Greater Pennsylvania and West Virginia to host nine-year-old Blaise Fischer and his family at Pirate City and McKechnie Field. The Ambridge, PA native will spend a day with Pirates Andrew McCutchen and his teammates as his wish is to meet McCutchen and play baseball with the Pirates at McKechnie Field. Blaise lists baseball as his favorite sport and the Pirates four-time All-Star centerfielder and 2013 National League MVP as his favorite player.

Blaise’s adventure will begin today as he and his family are VIP guests of the Pirates for the evening at the team’s Bradenton, Fla home, Pirate City. Blaise and his family will meet with Pirates prospects, receive a full tour of Pirates City, and have dinner and an overnight stay at the team’s training facility.

Today, Blaise’s day will begin with a special breakfast at Pirate City that will include a call from McCutchen informing him he is being promoted to the big leagues. The announcement will be followed by a trip to McKechnie Field where he will meet up with Andrew McCutchen, receive a custom baseball bat, get a VIP tour of the facilities and take part in a morning practice with the team. His day will include watching batting practice on the field, lunch in the big league clubhouse and an honorary first pitch prior to the 1:05 p.m. game.

Following the pregame activities, Blaise and his family will be guests of the Pirates for the afternoon game as the team takes on the Baltimore Orioles at McKechnie.