Bobcats To Play DCC Cardinals At PNC Park On Saturday, April 27th

Photo Above courtesy of Brinley Kiskadden – BK media – 2024 Bobcats Front Row: Aaron Renninger, Devon Lauer, Eli Rudesyle, Bryce Brinkley, Dawson Smail, Dauntae Girvan, Gabe Anderson, Noah Harrison, Hayden Weber, and Tanner Miller. From Left to Right, Back Row: Head Coach Rob Jewett, Drew Martz, Billy Kahle, Parker Miller, Nathan Fredrick, Ethan Rex, Wyatt Watterson, Derek Smail, Matt Alston, Dylan Smail, and Assistant Coach Lee Weber.

The Clarion Area Bobcats baseball team is in for a very special treat, as they have been invited by the Pittsburgh Pirates to play at PCN Park on Saturday, April 27th, with festivities scheduled to start at 6:00 PM. The Bobcats’ opponent will be the DuBois Central Catholic Cardinals. The two teams met in the 2023 Pennsylvania Scholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) Class-1A Championship, at Penn State University, with the Bobcats prevailing 4-1.

The game at PNC is not an exhibition game. It is actually a regular season game and will count on the teams’ records, so you can expect it to be very competitive.

It has been a work in progress taking several months, with a number of organizations and individuals from the Clarion area “coming to bat,” make this special day a reality. This wonderful event will be a real treat for the both teams and their fans.

Bobcats head coach Rob Jewett shared about a lot of what transpired to make this happen, as well as what is scheduled to take place.

“I was contacted by Matt Privette, who works for the Pirates.  He graduated from Clarion University and was a member of the Clarion University baseball team. He thought he would reach out to us since we won the state championship last year. 

“He told me it would be cheaper if we brought another team with us. I thought asking DCC would help bring a big crowd, since it would be a rematch of last year’s championship. I know Adam (DCC head coach Adam Fox) runs a great program over there and they have another great team, so it will be really good baseball. 

“He was super excited we asked them and is thrilled to get his team the opportunity to play at PNC park.  It is truly a once in a lifetime experience for both teams.” 

The teams will get to play at a facility that year-after-year has been rated as the Number 1 ballpark in the Major Leagues.

The most recent rankings by USA TODAY, confirmed this once again, in there 2024 announcement released last week (Tuesday, April 9th), with PNC Park coming in at the top spot.

According to the website, “With the goal of creating the ultimate MLB stadium rankings, eight baseball reporters and editors from around the USA TODAY Network ranked MLB’s current stadiums 1-30, adding up the aggregate scores to determine the order.”

USA TODAY quoted Joe Mock of BaseballParks.com, “Even without changing a thing, this is a ballpark that seems to become more beautiful as time goes by, with its intimate architecture and breathtaking view. Please, Pirates, don’t make any changes!”

Coach Jewett is extremely excited about playing at this gem. “It will be an amazing for both teams just to be on that field.”

Coach Jewett has enlisted some special local help. “I will have the Clarion Singers sing the National Anthem and Dave Constantino will be announcing.”

He shared, “It cost quite a bit of money to do this, so our baseball boosters really stepped up with fundraisers and donation letters.  Many local businesses donated to help fund this experience for our team. 

“We would like to thank all the baseball parents/family, baseball boosters, local businesses that donated, administration, and the community for coming to PNC to support us and watch some really good baseball!”

Constantino has announced various Clarion Area and Central Clarion Wildcats events along with other events throughout the area, through the years. He brings his well recognized, special inimitable style to the mic. He said, ” I am actually pretty excited about this opportunity for the school and the community.

“Growing up I knew I either wanted to be a teacher or a sportscaster so it’s neat now to be able to do both and to be able to announce at PNC Park is pretty special. 

“I’m just really happy for our baseball team to be able to experience this opportunity because high school should be a time that students get to make memories with their friends and this is definitely an event that will do that.”

The Clarion Area Baseball Boosters shared this statement, “The Baseball Booster Club would like to thank all the players, parents, player’s families, the CASD Admin, the CASD School Board, the Clarion community, the supporting local businesses for their support for the team and our fundraisers.

“When the Pittsburgh Pirates reached out to the Clarion Area School District about the opportunity to play at PNC Park, many people started planning to see if it was possible due to the cost. An opponent had to be chosen, money needed raised, and support needed gathered, all of this has been accomplished.

Clarion Area Baseball has six (6) seniors this year, they and their families have supported the program for several years, why not do something extraordinary to show their talents and do it at a venue that not only has historic value but unprecedented for Clarion Area.

“Great things can get accomplished when we all start working for the same goal, this goal was to celebrate the reigning PIAA 1A State Champions by setting up a good game and opponent to share it with the community.

“Game is April 27th with a 6:00 PM start. Free Admission to all, please join us and wear your Black and Orange.

“A special Thank You goes to the DuBois Central Catholic Cardinals players, coaches, and families.”

The Clarion Area Baseball Boosters Officers include: Deb Watterson – President, Denny Alston – Treasurer, David A. Smail – V.P./Secretary.

Clarion Area Superintendent Dr. Joe Carrico, is very shared his thoughts. “We are very excited about the game between the DCC Cardinals and Clarion Bobcats that is to be played at PNC Park on April 27th. 

“We want to thank both coaching staffs, booster organizations and administrations for their efforts and time to make all of this happen. 

“Any time we can watch two of the premier high school baseball programs in the state play is a good day and to see this game at the best ball park in the major leagues is even more special.  It will certainly be a night to remember for the students, athletes, families and programs. 

“We also have the Clarion Singers traveling to the park to perform the National Anthem.  This group of students and their advisor, Miss Sarah Matson, do a great job and work hard at their craft so this is a nice opportunity for them to showcase their talents as well. 

“The legendary Dave Constantino will be calling the game behind the Mike.  Dave has always been a great advocate for students and athletics.  He announces other games and brings a wealth of knowledge to these ventures. 

“Overall a great night to make a road trip and catch some great baseball action!”

Miss Matson shared some background on the Clarion Singers. “The Clarion Singers are very excited to have the opportunity to perform at PNC Park for the Clarion baseball game against DCC.

She shared some background on the ensemble. “The Clarion Singers is an auditioned choir formed in 1980 by director Lorraine Smith. The 2023-2024 group of Clarion Singers consists of 24 students from grades 9-12.

“This year, they have performed in two choir concerts, with another concert in May, at the Suicide Prevention Walk in Memorial Park, The Main Street Center, and Clarion Elementary School.”

Miss Matson and the Clarion Singers are very happy for this opportunity. “We would like to thank Coaches Rob Jewett and Lee Weber, and the Clarion Baseball team for inviting us to sing the National Anthem at their game. PNC Park is a beautiful stadium, and we are excited to perform at a venue like it.”

Clarion Area 6-12 Band Director, Miss Sarah Dawson, shared about the entire music department’s excitement about the Clarion Singers getting to sing the National Anthem, ad well as the baseball team’s being invited to play in the game. “The Clarion Area music department is excited to have this prestigious opportunity for our Clarion Singers group to perform at PNC Park. It is a great honor to be selected for this venue, and we look forward to supporting them and our baseball team!”

This is the second time the Bobcats have been honored by the Pirates and PNC Park, in the last year.

The 2023 Bobcats were honored in the 2023 “Youth Baseball and Softball Group Salute,” at PNC Park prior to the Pirates-Reds afternoon game, on Sunday, August 13th, prior to a double-header between the Pirates and Reds.

Teams in this Parade of Champions include champs from a number of leagues including Little League through high school, with some of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League (WPIAL) and PIAA State Champions taking part in the procession. Clarion Head Coach Rob Jewett estimated that about twenty to thirty teams participated.

Memories to last a lifetime! Enjoy every minute of it!

(Thanks to each and all who contributed to this article and to all who worked tirelessly to bring this great event for the Bobcats and Cardinals about!!!!)