The Pride of a Pirates Fan

Today, I attended the Pittsburgh Pirates Season Ticket Members Field Day at PNC Park. For almost 2 hours, I and my friend Dan were given the opportunity to play catch, take batting practice, and field fly balls on the field of PNC Park. This is my 3rd time taking someone to this experience, and I continue to be amazed that a Major League Baseball organization allows its fans to take part in such an event. It prompted me to write a letter to the organization, through my account representative. Below is my letter.

To Whom It May Concern:

As a long-time Season Ticket Member of the Pittsburgh Pirates, I want to take a moment to thank you for being such a great organization. I recently returned from the Season Ticket Member Field Days at PNC Park, my third time experiencing that benefit. The Field Days are truly a unique experience, and every person I have taken with me has remarked how lucky they feel to have this opportunity.

I always expected and practically demanded these experiences when the major league team was not successful every year. And as the on-field success increased year after year, you could have reduced or eliminated perks for Season Ticket Members and been completely justified in doing so. Instead, you have shown continued commitment and loyalty to the fans not only in these experiences, but with top-notch customer service, ticket exchanges, and placing our names on the outfield wall.

Thank you for everything you do for the fans, particularly the Season Ticket Members. I remember a time not too long ago where being a fan and Season Ticket Member of the Pirates brought me ridicule and jokes at my expense, even in my own city. Today, I can proudly say that I am a life-long fan of the best organization in Major League Baseball. I don’t see other playoff-contending teams letting their fans take batting practice and play catch on the field. Once again, you have shown that the Pittsburgh Pirates are in a class all by themselves both on and off the field.

With sincere gratitude,

Erik Hoeke

Prayers for Charleston

Lord, words cannot adequately express the heaviness within our hearts today. Last night in Charleston, SC, 9 of your children died in bible study because of hatred. 3 of your children watched the horror unfold. One of your children rebelled from your love in the worst way, committing the racially motivated act of murder that can only be described as hatred.

It reminds us, God, that even the Church is not safe and secure from evil, that even our houses of worship can quickly be turned into scenes of violent crime and murder. We weep for the victims, their families, the congregation of Emanuel AME Church, and the community of Charleston, as we pray for healing and hope in the midst of unimaginable grief and horror. We pray for the shooter, that his hardened heart be filled with your love, that he may come to realize the gravity of the unspeakable acts he committed and the consequences, and most of all that he recognize the face of Jesus in all people, including those whose lives he took. And we pray that this moment may teach us all to love one another more deeply, especially those who look or act different than us, so we may realize that we are not so different after all and that black lives do matter.

O God, humanity is full of so much hate and evil, sometimes manifest in racism, and sometimes in violence and death. Lord, where hatred is blossoming drive it out with your love. Where blood is shed, beat guns and knives into instruments of productivity and peace. Where we fail to understand why someone would take the lives of others, help us to understand your goodness in the midst of the evils we face.

As religious people enter houses of worship this weekend, we will do so more fearfully than last week. We will be more on edge, we will wonder if any place is truly safe. And we will be startled by the answer: not in this world. No amount of prayer, security systems, emergency action plans, licensed handguns, or military might will ever create the security we seek. But we do know this: even in the valley of the shadow of death, you are with us. Even when death comes early as the result of violent, hateful acts, you are with us. You comfort those who mourn, you welcome these 9 departed souls into your kingdom, and you remind us in your own death and resurrection that physical death cannot and will not have the last word.

No, hatred, evil, and death do not win in the end. And the cosmic battle is not about good people ultimately vanquishing bad people. It is about your love and grace utterly destroying the powers of evil and death so that they are no more. In this we place our hope, even if today that hope is barely visible through the tears welling up in our eyes.