Pirates Charities and laborers donate $600,000 for youth fields and scoreboards; administration outlines field upgrades

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh council on Monday approved two gifts totaling about $600,000 to upgrade youth baseball and softball fields: $300,000 from Laborers District Council earmarked primarily for scoreboards and $300,000 from Pirates Charities for field improvements, equipment and infield material.

Dan Gilman, chief of staff to the mayor, described the Pirates’ grant as funding new crushed red‑brick infield material similar to what is used at PNC Park, portable mounds, tarps and, critically, a laser grader the city will keep. Gilman said the $300,000 from Pirates Charities is expected to improve roughly 20 fields this year and that the Pirates are purchasing a new laser grader for city crews.

Council members asked whether the grant would address drainage problems at specific fields, including McGee and Hess fields. Gilman said the project will include full laser grading, removal of old material and installation of new material; the grant will not cover larger construction to correct structural drainage problems but will improve surface drainage and maintenance. He added that the city will be finalizing a site list based on professional assessments and that multiple district fields were represented on an initial list.

Councilman Mosley and others discussed longer-term options, including whether turf infields were being considered. Administration and Pirates representatives said they favor preserving dirt infields for safety and environmental reasons but will evaluate materials used at Homewood Field and other sites if the initial work does not meet expectations.

Both bills (354 and 355) received affirmative recommendations and passed; council members requested follow-up on final field lists, site‑specific scope and the timeline for installations.