ports Pirates Treat School District Employees to Appreciation Day

BRADENTON – The Pittsburgh Pirates, a friend and supporter of the School District of Manatee County for decades, will hold a “Manatee County Schools Appreciation Day” this Saturday, March 7, 2015, when the Pirates play host to the Tampa Bay Rays at McKechnie Field in Bradenton. The first pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m.

Employees of the school district who show an I.D. badge have been able to purchase grandstand tickets for the game at the discounted price of $12, and will continue to be able to purchase tickets until they are sold out. Pre-game festivities will have a school district flair as students from the Southeast High JROTC Battalion will present the colors, the Manatee High Chorus will sing the National Anthem and reigning Manatee Educator of the Year, Jen Willis, a second-grade teacher at Miller Elementary School, is scheduled to throw out the first pitch.

“Our partnership working with the school district and the individual schools in Manatee County is a source of pride for the Pirates organization,” said Trevor Gooby, Pittsburgh Pirates Senior Director of Florida Operations. “We’re thrilled to show our support for the great educators and leaders in this county with a day at the ballpark dedicated to them.”

“The Pittsburgh Pirates have been a loyal friend and supporter of Manatee County schools for decades,” said Superintendent Rick Mills. “Likewise, the school district is a big fan of the Pirates and I know our employees and students are looking forward to an exciting day of baseball.”

In addition to the special thrill of watching Major League Baseball, employees of the school district will also be eligible to win an exciting assortment of prizes donated by various sponsors. To be eligible for the prize drawings, which will occur between innings, all school district employees will need to do is show a district I.D. badge at a table under the main concourse and they can pick up a ticket for the drawings.

It is important to note that employees must be present at the game at the time of the drawing to win the prizes. If the prize is not claimed by the winner, another ticket will be drawn until a winner claims the prize.

The full list of prizes is below:

• 1st Inning – Signed Pittsburgh Pirates Memorabilia and a $50 Gift Card to Clear Sunset Car Wash.
• 2nd Inning – $100 Chiles Restaurant Group Gift Card for either the Beachhouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub on Longboat Key or the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria.
• 3rd Inning – A $75 Gift Card to Gecko's Grill & Pub and a 4-Pack of Tickets to a show at the Manatee Center for the Performing Arts.
• 4th Inning – Free Weekend Mercedes Benz Rental from Mercedes Benz of Sarasota and a $50 Gift Card to The Ranch Grill.
• 5th Inning – A Stone Wellness and Acupuncture Gift Basket and a $50 Gift Card to Sam's Club.
• 6th Inning – $100 Walmart Gift Card.
• 7th Inning – A Two-Night Stay at an Anna Maria Island Resorts Hotel.
• 8th Inning – $100 Best Buy Gift Card.
• 8th Inning GRAND PRIZE: A Weekend Trip for 2 to Pittsburgh Including Pirates Game Tickets, Flights and Hotel, Courtesy of the Pittsburgh Pirates.