WELLSBURG — For Nathan Marshall, the chant “Let’s Go Bucs” will forever have a new meaning. Marshall, a coach for the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, spoke with enthusiasm to several hundred attendees during the opening day of the youth league at the Betty Carr Recreation Site on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Just weeks prior, the season was on the verge of cancellation due to financial difficulties, but everything changed after a phone call from Pittsburgh Pirates owner Robert Nutting.
Nutting, who is also the CEO of Ogden Newspapers, had read about the league’s struggles in a newspaper article. Concerned for the community, he reached out to league officials asking, “How can we help?” This question sparked a series of events that transformed what could have been a disheartening season into a triumphant celebration.
“Three weeks ago, we had nothing — no money, no hopes of anything,” Marshall reflected. Thanks to the Pirates’ charitable arm, Pirates Charities, and the support of local businesses, the league received a $15,000 grant that allowed them to kick off the season in style.
The opening day festivities were marked by a vibrant parade led by the Pirates Parrot and members of the Brooke High School baseball team. As they marched through the streets, young players from teams named Thunder Bats, River Monsters, Bitty Battin’ Burritos, Diamond Dogs, Gladiators, and Hurricanes were greeted with cheers from the community. Pirate alumnus and current analyst Michael McKenry was on hand to greet the players, offering high-fives and encouragement as they entered the field.
“It was wonderful to see so many people turn out to support youth baseball here in Wellsburg,” Nutting said during the event. “You see all the coaches, all the players out here today bringing this to life, and it reminds me how important these kinds of youth programs are for communities and for every one of these kids.”
Earlier in the week, Pirates staff also conducted a batting camp for the league’s players, further demonstrating their commitment to the community. The day was filled with excitement, laughter, and a sense of hope that had been absent just a few weeks earlier.
Joe Pettini, the president of the Wellsburg Baseball and Softball Association, echoed the sentiments of gratitude towards the Pirates and the community. “It was a misfortune, obviously, a really bad thing that happened,” he said, referring to the embezzlement scandal that had left the league’s finances in disarray. “But from a bad thing, it turned out to be a good thing in the end.”
Indeed, the league had faced a dark cloud in March when former president Eric M. Smith was charged with embezzlement, accused of taking thousands of dollars from the league’s funds. The case against Smith is still pending in Brooke County Magistrate Court, leaving the league in a precarious position just as the season was about to begin.
Despite the challenges, the community rallied together. “Everyone in this community — coaches, parents — they chose not to get negative but instead they came together and said, ‘Let’s do this for the kids,’” Marshall said, thanking the new board members for their efforts. “And of course I’d like to thank Pirates Charities, especially John Leonard, their manager of Youth Baseball and Softball. He has been a miracle.”
Chad Rogers, the vice president of the association, noted the crucial role that local businesses played in keeping the league afloat. “Without them, this wouldn’t happen,” he said, pointing to a sign acknowledging the support of about 30 local businesses and groups. The league currently includes around 55 players, ranging from beginners in T-ball to 9- and 10-year-olds in the Mustang division.
As the day unfolded, excitement filled the air. Parents like Kevin Lyons of Windsor Heights expressed their relief. “I’m glad they’re able to keep it going,” he said, while Tracy Johnson, another parent, described the Pirates Charities announcement as “amazing.”
Looking ahead, the league’s leaders are considering additional fundraisers to ensure sustainability. Rogers mentioned the possibility of hosting a concert by a local band that has offered its services. “We’re definitely going to have fundraisers,” he confirmed.
Nutting shared his commitment to supporting youth sports through Pirates Charities, which he established 20 years ago. “One of our signature programs is our Fields for Kids program,” he explained. “We’ve helped 400 fields over those 20 years, making sure they have equipment, helping with field renovations.” He emphasized that the support provided to the Wellsburg league was exactly what the program was created for.
“People were wondering if Wellsburg youth baseball was going to be finished,” Pettini remarked. “But I guess we just can’t let Wellsburg baseball go. It’s been here so long, and thanks to the Pirates I think we’re going to be okay.”
As the sounds of laughter and cheering filled Betty Carr Recreational Park, it was clear that the community had turned a potential disaster into a moment of joy and unity. The kids were excited to have a season, and the community was reminded of the good that can come from adversity. Marshall summed it up perfectly: “We’ve definitely turned an obstacle into an opportunity.”