Marauders Season Ticket Holders Gain Insight Into Pirates Organization

Through their “Muffins with the Marauders” program, the of the Class-A Advanced Florida State League extend an opportunity not usually afforded to supporters of minor league baseball teams.

Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Neal Huntington was the latest speaker to offer his insights to the Marauders' season-ticket holders as they enjoyed breakfast inside the World Series Conference Room on Feb. 23 at y. Before opening the floor to questions, Huntington spoke of the role the Marauders play in developing players for the parent organization.

“We truly appreciate your support,” Huntington told a group of approximately 30 people consisting of season ticket holders and their guests. “I’m little jealous that you guys get to watch our Class-A ball guys every night during the summer time. I wish I could get down here more often because this is where the fun starts. This is where we find out a lot about the guys.”

Although the Marauders’ win-loss record carries significance for the Pirates, it isn’t the only barometer of progress. With the adjustment from the high Class-A level to the Double-A level being one of the most difficult for a professional baseball player, conventional baseball strategy sometimes is not followed.

“We’re developing big leaguers,” Huntington said. “There will be times when you’re sitting in the stands and you will say, ‘Why didn’t (former Bradenton manager) P.J. (Forbes) pitch hit right here?’ It’s because (former Pirates farmhand) Pedro Alvarez needs to learn how to hit against a left-handed reliever. If we develop him into a platoon player, guess what he’s going to be in the big leagues? He’s probably not even going to make it.”

For Pirates’ prospects, games are often secondary. Often times, Marauder players put in four or five hours of work before first pitch.

“The game hopefully is a reprieve for our players because they have been working pretty hard up until that point of time,” Huntington said.

According to Trevor Gooby, who serves as the Pirates’ Senior Director of Florida Operations, Huntington’s visit marked the fifth installment of “The Muffins with the Marauders” program. Past speakers have included former major league reliever and current Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh analyst Kent Tekulve and Pirates President Frank Coonelly.

“We were just trying to add more value for our season ticket holders,” Gooby said. “We have a loyal group of season ticket holders. We’re looking to give them some incentive to continue to be season ticket holders, but also give ourselves a chance to interact with them. It has been great so far.”

Season ticket holder Keith Haslett became a “die-hard” Marauders fan after learning of the team’s entry into the Florida State League for the 2010 season. He enjoys getting to know those working behind the scenes in player development and the Pirates’ aspirations for the Marauders.

“The staff is always courteous and helpful,” Haslett said. “Just putting on these breakfasts says a lot. I think it’s a top-notch organization.”

Siesta Key resident and season ticket holder Mike Sullivan was able to ask Huntington questions about what specific statistical thresholds the Pirates use to evaluate prospect development and the organization’s plans for top prospect and former Marauder Brock Holt.

“The Pirate organization and this community is a great blend,” said Sullivan, who supported the Florida State League’s Sarasota Reds until the Cincinnati Reds swapped that team with Pittsburgh’s previous entry in the Class-A Advanced Carolina League at the end of the 2009 season. “I wish that more people would come to the (Marauders’) games. You can see that things are structured well. They are positioning the Class-A team to be very successful in the Florida State League. I look for them to be successful once again and make it back to the playoffs.”