Opening Day a hit with Bethel Park Baseball
Dedicate new scoreboards, AED devices
Opening day for any baseball organization brings out the kid in everyone. Evan Sivetz and Brandon Long were not exceptions. The Bethel Park Baseball (BPB) board members were just as thrilled as Donovan Kelton to play ball when action commenced in the organization’s spring season on April 11 at Simmons Park.
“I love baseball a lot,” said Kelton. The 8-year-old Pinto Baseball player is a first baseman, shortstop and outfielder. “Getting to play ball is the best part of opening day.”
For Sivetz it was a day to remember his playing days as well as work with Long on the particulars concerning the opening day festivities.
The Bethel Park Community Foundation and Pittsburgh Pirates Charities made a large investment toward the purchase of three scoreboards for the fields at Simmons Park. They were christened and dedicated during on-field ceremonies.
West Penn Hospital donated automated external defibrillators that have been installed at Simmons Park as well as the municipality’s facilities at Millennium Park and UPMC Field. These units are located inside each concession stand and available for use in the event of a medical emergency.
In addition to daylong baseball games, Bacon Bert, one of the Pittsburgh Pirates pierogi mascots, made a public appearance and free face paintings were offered.
Sivetz noted he grew up in Bethel Park and played baseball in the organization before becoming a board member for a little over 10 years. He serves as president. He is also involved in fundraising and arranging youth umpires.
“It’s an exciting time for me because I remember how special opening day was,” Sivetz said. “Once you have kids in it, you want to make it the best for them, too.”
Long noted that these indeed are special times for him and his son, Oliver, 8. They recently attended opening day when the Pirates edged the Baltimore Orioles, 5-4, on April 3 in front of a sold-out crowd at PNC Park.
“It was great just to see all the little kids there like there are here today,” said Long, who handles sponsorships, events and audits in BPB. “The Pirates are on the upswing.”
So is BPB. Long said that the organization had 150 children signed up in the 7- and 8-year-old age group. He estimated that there are even more participants in T-Ball. The group offers other leagues as well as enjoys a “successful” travel program.
He credits the high school baseball team’s record for the upswing of interest in the little leagues. A perennial playoff power, the Black Hawks won back-to-back state championships in 2021 and 2022.
“The success of the high school team reflects on how many people come out,” Long said. “These little kids want to be just like them. It’s pretty exciting around here.”
The BPB is thrilled with its partnership with the community foundation as well as the Pirates Charities. Long said the three scoreboards alone cost a little over $50,000 and that was before BPB had to pay for the installation.
“A lot of money was put into this,” Long said.
Britney Hollick said the community foundation was more than happy to contribute to the cause. The organization’s president was on hand for the scoreboard dedication ceremony and opening day festivities.
“We knew that Simmons Parks was a big part of the community, so we wanted to make sure that we were able to give all the kids the opportunity and to update the field and play on the field with brand new scoreboards,” she said.
The partnership between BPB and the foundation received thumbs up from Nicole Kildoo. She and her daughter, Emry, who was getting a butterfly image painted on her face attended opening day while her sons played baseball.
“I think this is awesome,” Kildoo said. “It’s great what they are doing.”
Brittany Halbig agreed.
“Opening day is wonderful. They put up a big sign. The scoreboards are great. The kids have a hat and the Pierogi was here,” Halbig said. “My son even got the game ball. So, it’s been super exciting. We all love baseball.”
It’s an activity nobody outgrows.
“There’s something special about the sport of baseball that sticks with you,” Sivetz said. “It’s a team sport that teaches lifelong lessons. It’s not just catching the baseball and hitting but they’re learning more important things besides what goes on between the lines like trust, honesty and preparation.”