WEIRTON - Batter up!
The Pittsburgh Pirates will defend their home field - and their recent good fortune - Saturday when they face the Detroit Tigers at PNC Park, and the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times Steubenville/Weirton Community Night offers an affordable option for fans who want to catch the action.
Cathy Ferrari, president and CEO of Hancock County Savings Bank, said while this is their first year sponsoring the event, it's "a perfect fit."
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SUPPORTER – Cathy Ferrari, president and CEO of Hancock County Savings Bank, is a first-year sponsor of the June 23 Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times Steubenville/Weirton Community Night, but she says her involvement is “a perfect fit.” -- Jeremy Kins
"We're a community bank. Generations have supported us, so it's only natural to support the community with this. That's what we're all about," said Ferrari.
The interleague game will begin with the opening pitch scheduled to be thrown at 4:05 p.m.
Other sponsors of the event include Choice Brands of Ohio, Wine and Beverage Merchants of West Virginia, Iron City Distributing, EM Media and the Fort Steuben Mall.
Ferrari said several employees at the bank, as well as her husband, are avid Pirates fans.
"It's just a beautiful family venue. It's a nice place to go and enjoy the good atmosphere," said Ferrari.
Tickets for the game are still available by visiting the newspaper offices at 401 Herald Square weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or by calling (740) 283-4711. The price of a ticket is $40, which includes a seat in the all-you-can-eat section, a Pirates hat, prizes between innings and more. Transportation on a chartered bus is available for an additional $10. Refreshments will be provided on the bus.
Community night microfiber Pirates T-shirts also are on sale and can be purchased by contacting the Herald-Star.
"The pirates are starting to reap the benefits of their hard work, and through this community event everyone can enjoy going to see that," said Ferrari.
Cindy Kotsch, special events and marketing coordinator for the newspapers, said the community night is always something special for fans.
"There's a bond that everyone attending shares. We're there representing our community and showing support for the Pirates, and that makes the event much more personal and special," said Kotsch.
Ferrari shares that sentiment.
"So many know each other on the bus because we're a small community. The ride to and from the game is just fun, not to mention the event is safe with no parking worries. I just thought this was a great way to get involved," said Ferrari.
Kotsch stressed how much the local community will be involved in the game, mentioning the Tri-State Harmonizers will be singing the national anthem, a group salute will take place on the field before the game to introduce the night's sponsors, a representative of the Herald-Star will change the bases after the sixth inning and the entire all-you-can-eat section is reserved for the night.
