In 2020, the Pirates and PNC Bank teamed up to establish the “Going to Bat for Small Business” program to help local entrepreneurs navigate the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative was well-received and has continued to pick up momentum, having now aided a total of 36 small businesses in the Pittsburgh area.
Each year, six small businesses are selected for the program. Representatives from the class of 2025 were invited to PNC Park on Monday for a meet-and-greet with officials from the Pirates and PNC Bank. They also took part in a pregame ceremony and had the opportunity to watch the game between the Pirates and San Francisco Giants from the ballpark’s World Series Suites.
This year’s group included: Casey Droege Cultural Productions, a community-focused program offering commercial art consulting services; Lincoln Avenue Brewery, which aims to bring people together over great food, craft beer and shared experiences; Aunt Cheryl’s Baking & Catering, a cafe serving delicious food and baked goods; West Hills Gazette, an online news outlet serving the western suburbs of Pittsburgh; Community Equip'd, a consulting group that focuses on nonprofit organizational development, fundraising and marketing; and Atlas Dreams Languages, an organization that provides interpretation and document translation services and other language solutions to communities in need.
“It’s been wonderful to see the impact this program has had on so many of our neighbors on the North Shore and around Pittsburgh,” Pirates chairman Bob Nutting said. “Small businesses are so important to the fabric of our community, and to be able to listen to their stories and support them as they grow has been really exciting. Being able to raise up and shine a bright light on these small businesses with our fantastic partner, PNC, is a really important part of the program.”
Those chosen for the “Going to Bat for Small Business” program receive a promotional period where the Pirates provide in-game, social media, online and in-park assets. Those include live drop-ins by Pirates broadcasters, radio and television commercials produced by the Pirates, social media sponsorship, and signage inside PNC Park. Each business also receives mentorship from Pirates and PNC professionals as well as a financial grant.
“Five years ago, when this program was established, I believed it was an excellent initiative, and it has since surpassed all expectations," said Lou Cestello, head of Regional Presidents and regional president of Pittsburgh and southwestern Pennsylvania for PNC. "This program is making a meaningful impact for the small businesses we serve, particularly through the guidance provided by PNC and the Pirates in areas such as financing and marketing. Our goal is to help them transform their ideas into successful realities.”
Lisa Saylor, who owns Lincoln Avenue Brewery along with her husband, Grant, said the couple heard about the program from one of their employees. When she applied and then found out their business had been selected, she shed tears -- happy tears, that is.
“My first thought was, ‘Well, this is exciting. This is going to take us to another level.’ And then I just started crying,” she said. “We didn’t have the ability to get advertising out there on our own. It had just been word of mouth.
“Now, all the time, because of this program, people tell me, ‘We saw you on TV. Now we want to come and see you.’ And we’ve had people come in and say, ‘We went to the Pirates game and saw your commercial on the scoreboard. That’s why we came in.’ It’s really expanded our reach and done things that we wouldn’t have been able to do on our own. It’s been truly amazing and such a blessing.”
During the pregame meet-and-greet, Cestello told representatives of the small businesses in attendance, “I would like to thank Bob and the Pirates organization for this initiative. Their idea focused on how we can give back to the community and support small businesses. It was perfectly aligned with our values at PNC. We believe that you’re only a great city if you have great small businesses. That’s what makes this a unique and special place to live.”
“I love this program, and I love the idea of the Pirates being really engaged in our community,” Nutting added. “That comes through Pirates Charities, which I take personally, but also through supporting our neighbors, including you as small business owners. I’m really proud of everything you’re doing, and I’m excited to have you here. Congratulations.”