Pirates Chairman Saves Baldwin Softball's Travel Plans

When it appeared as though 's varsity softball team wouldn't be able to from a tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC, Pittsburgh Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting offered the girls a lift.

Nutting plays the role of hero for Baldwin High, the WPIAL's defending , as his generosity of a chartered bus ride allows the girls' plans to head south this month to continue when it appeared as if all might be lost.

Baldwin had booked a flight to Myrtle Beach via US Airways leaving this Wednesday for a tournament there, but the cancellation of the team's return flight by Direct Air on Sunday was canceled when Direct suspended flight operations last week.

That left Baldwin with too expensive of an option to book another flight or bus ride back home at that point, and the team stood to lose approximately $10,000 that it had already spent on non-refundable hotel rooms, car rentals and tournament fees if it couldn't make the round trip.

But Nutting's generosity prevents that loss from happening and assures playing in the tournament for Baldwin.

"It's quite awesome," said Cheri Young, of the Baldwin Softball Boosters. "We're so grateful and thankful for the Pirates to come forward and take note."

Said Nutting, in a written statement, "I heard of the team's dilemma and felt compelled to ensure their trip would not be canceled after all of the hard work that was put in by the school, students and families to raise the necessary funds.

"I spoke with the school's Athletic Director Vince Sortino and offered to help by arranging to have a charter bus bring the team back home. I am pleased we were able to help in this case, and I hope that they have a wonderful trip and a successful tournament and season.

"While these circumstances might garner media attention, making a meaningful impact in our community is something we strive to do every day. Last year alone, the Pirates and Pirates Charities directly supported more than 3,000 community organizations in their efforts to make a difference in our community."

resident and Baldwin High alumnus Tim McAloon '79 offered to help the softball team out, as well, after . McAloon offered an interest-free loan of up to $5,000 for the girls to use to bus back home from Myrtle Beach and said that it didn't matter how long it took the girls to fundraise the money back to him.

Young and Baldwin softball's Head Coach Sam Hovanec thanked McAloon for willing to lend a helping hand but couldn't pass up the Pirates offer.

"I'm glad it worked out for the girls," McAloon said, understandably.

UPDATE: Sortino said that McGuffey High School, another WPIAL team, offered Baldwin softball a ride back to Pittsburgh, as well. The McGuffey ride would have been a day earlier than the girls had planned and would still have cost the team a couple of forfeits in the tournament.

But until the Pirates came forward, Sortino said that Baldwin was planning on accepting McGuffey's offer. He thanked that school for its generosity.

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