One of the most significant moments in Major League Baseball (MLB) history was when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier on April 15, 1947. In celebration of the anniversary of this momentous event, the Pittsburgh Pirates invite your school/organization to participate in the Jackie Robinson Essay and Poetry Contest. The contest is a fantastic opportunity for youth to express their thoughts creatively.

The contest, which is open to students in grades three through eight in the Pirates market area, challenges students to write about Robinson's nine values for success in either a poem or an essay. The contest is free to enter, simple for teachers, and can be tailored to meet educational requirements.

Students have two opportunities to participate:

• ESSAY: Write an essay that chronicles the personal struggles of Jackie Robinson. What characteristics do you feel were necessary to overcome these challenges? What life lessons can be learned from Jackie Robinson's success?
• POETRY: Write a poem that explores one or more of Jackie Robinson's nine values for success - courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence.

Entries will be divided into age categories to assure that each student is given a fair opportunity to win (i.e. grades 3-4, grades 5-6, and grades 7-8). It is easy to enter as students simply create their written piece and submit by mail to the Pirates office before March 23, 2012.

Elementary and middle school students grades 3 through 8 can now enter the 2012 contest.

To enter, please download and print the 2012 Essay & Poetry Contest Entry Form » 

 The PDF file format requires you to use the FREE Adobe® Reader®

Winners will be honored during an on-field ceremony before the Pirates take on the
World Champion St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park at 7:05 p.m. on Friday, April 20, 2012.

Entry Deadline is Friday, March 23, 2012..

For more information, please contact Chaz Kellem at 412-325-4731 or chaz.kellem@pirates.com.

Pittsburgh Pirates Essay & Poetry Prizes:

• First place winners will receive Six (6) complimentary tickets to the April 20th game and participate in a special pregame on-field ceremony. He/she will also receive an autographed item(s), participate in a pre-game awards ceremony with Pirates celebrities, complimentary food, a Pirates Promotional Package, a complimentary tour of Highmark's Legacy Square at PNC Park, and more.
• Second place winners will receive Four (4) complimentary tickets to the April 20th game and participate in a special pregame on-field ceremony. He/she will also receive an autographed item, participate in a pre-game awards ceremony with Pirates celebrities, complimentary food, a Pirates Promotional Package, a complimentary tour of Highmark's Legacy Square at PNC Park, and more.
• Third place winners will receive Two (2) complimentary tickets to the April 20th game and participate in a special pregame on-field ceremony. He/she will also receive an autographed item(s), participate in a pre-game awards ceremony with Pirates celebrities, complimentary food, a Pirates Promotional Package, a complimentary tour of Highmark's Legacy Square at PNC Park, and more.

New incentives for 2012 contest:

• The teachers of the selected winners will be invited to PNC Park on April 20th.
• Pre-game Award ceremony for winners & select guests with a chance to meet Pirates celebrities.
• Select Schools with the most entries (percentage based on number of students) will be rewarded for participation.
• Students will be selected at random for additional prizes.