Sports

Miracle Leaguers' Pitching Machine to Debut at PNC Park This Sunday

A heartwarming moment in the middle of a pennant race.

A new, 10-foot-tall pitcher will take the mound at PNC Park on Sunday, Sept. 1, before the Pittsburgh Pirates battle the St. Louis Cardinals. The fresh arm is a trebuchet that a group of 12 players from The Miracle League of the South Hills helped to build this past Sunday, and the device will throw out the game's ceremonial first pitch.

The Miracle League enables children and adults with special needs to develop socialization skills and to have fun by playing baseball at a field specially designed for them. The South Hills field is located in Boyce Mayview Park in Upper St. Clair Township.

The trebuchet was built by kids in the MAKESHOP at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh as a part of the museum's "Rookie of the Gear" program.

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From June 22 to Aug. 31, museum officials collected designs, drawings and inspirations from hundreds of Pittsburgh-area kids prior to Pirates Sunday home games. Activities were then held in the MAKESHOP where the participants could actually help to build the trebuchet.

"Children's Museum of Pittsburgh and MAKESHOP have a wide array of fun, educational and hands-on activities for kids of any age," said Jane Werner, executive director of the Children's Museum. "The Pittsburgh Pirates have electrified the entire country with the way they are playing this season, and we at the museum are thrilled to show off the creativity, talent and minds of the youth in the area with our trebuchet and its big first pitch."

Find out what's happening in Upper St. Clairwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Sept. 1 Pirates-Cardinals game is scheduled to begin at 1:35 p.m., with the ceremonial first pitch to come sometime shortly before that.


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