Pirates announce affiliation renewals with team partners

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today they have reached agreements to continue significant partnerships for the 2013 season. Many of the partners have signed multi-year extensions, ensuring they are a part of the excitement of Pirates baseball moving forward.

Pirates continued partnership renewals include:

• Highmark -- The Pirates are proud to announce Highmark will remain the "Official Healthcare Provider of the Pittsburgh Pirates" through the 2013 season. Highmark was an original partner of the team when PNC Park opened in 2001, as they are celebrating more than 13 years as a significant Pirates partner. In addition, this season the group will be the presenting sponsor of two Kids Day promotional giveaways (all fans 14 years of age and under) as Sunday, June 2 will be the Pirate Parrot soap dispenser and Sunday, September 22, the Pirates fleece scarf.
• State Farm Insurance -- State Farm has signed a multi-year extension with the team and is currently in the sixth year as a Pirates partner. Throughout the season State Farm will again present the "State Farm Go to Bat" award each month. The award is a charitable giving initiative driven by the commitment State Farm makes to helping communities "get to a better state®." Each month State Farm will recognize one local non-profit in an on-field pregame ceremony at PNC Park.
• #1 Cochran Automotive -- The #1 Cochran Automotive group returns as the title sponsor of the Family Fun Zone that takes place on Federal Street from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before all Sunday home games and the Sunday's Kid's Starting Line-Up that takes place on the field before each Sunday game at PNC Park. The group also sponsors the Bucco Brigade, the interactive squad that handles the in-game entertainment for all Pirates home games.

Sunoco and UTZ headline a list of partners that renewed multi-year agreements with the Pirates. The former will again sponsor the in-game "Victory Row" promotion and the latter will retain the "Official Salty Snack of the Pittsburgh Pirates" moniker. Each of the two partners were key sponsors of the Pirates 5K Home Run that took place on April 13.

In addition, several key partners will remain very visible during game days. Heinz is returning as the "Official Ketchup of the Pittsburgh Pirates" and will once again have signage throughout the ballpark, with the most prominent on the centerfield wall.

The Pennsylvania Lottery will continue in-park signage featuring daily lottery jackpots and LaRoche College will continue to be the title sponsor of each pitching change.

RE/MAX real estate will once again have a sponsorship balloon on Federal Street prior to select games throughout the season and the company was the main sponsor of the April 13 fireworks display that took place following the Pirates 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets.com will continue with their prominent in-park and publication signage as well as radio advertising during broadcasts.