Pirate Parrot, Pittsburg Pirates mascot, gives Governing Board Chairman Todd Pressman the ball after Pressman threw out the first pitch.
The District teamed up with the Pittsburgh Pirates to promote water conservation, dubbing the March 8 spring training game against the New York Yankees as Water Matters Day.
The District gave the first 2,000 fans a free baseball-shaped shower timer, and Governing Board Chairman Todd Pressman threw out the first pitch. Community & Legislative Affairs staff set up a display with water conservation handouts near the concession stand, encouraging fans to sign a pledge to reduce their water use by 10 percent. In addition, the stadium announcer gave water conservation tips and trivia between innings.
Pirates and Yankees fans also had chances to win items during the game. One of the fans won a water conservation kit with a low-flow showerhead, bath and kitchen faucet aerators, a low-flow garden hose nozzle and leak detector tablets.
Terri Behling, a program manager with the Community & Legislative Affairs Department, said the outreach at the 6,000-seat McKechnie Field was a first for the District.
“We’re always looking for new ways to tell people about water conservation,” said Behling. “The Pittsburgh Pirates have strong community ties in Bradenton and Manatee County, so it was a great fit to partner with them during spring training. The fans enjoyed the game and we were able to reach residents and tourists with our message that Florida’s water is worth saving.”