Teams 
The only adult wheelchair softball team in southwestern Pennsylvania, the Pirates Wheelchair Softball Team, is a product of a partnership between the Pirates and a Pittsburgh-based, non-profit organization called HOPE Network. The agreement allows the team to use the Pirates name and logo for it's affiliated Pirates Wheelchair Softball team, as well as provide funding resources for the program.
In return, the Pirates Wheelchair Softball team provides adults with lower-extremity impairment with the opportunity to participate in America's greatest pastime on an equal yet competitive playing field. Players do not need to be everyday, wheelchair users, but must use a manual wheelchair to participate.
HOPE Network (Harmarville Outreach Programs and Educational Network) is a 501(c)(3) organizations that provides competitive and recreational sports and fitness opportunities to children and adults with physical disabilities, in addition to local education programs designed for school-aged children. The "It's Your Choice" program discusses the outcomes of making decisions when participating in "risky" activities. The goal is prevention of traumatic injuries.
The Healthsports Programs of HOPE Network have been around for almost 30 years and have provided residents of the tri-state area with the opportunity to water ski, snow ski, hand-cycle, road and track racing, rock climbing, kayaking, tennis, and racquetball, in addition to providing competitive team sports such as wheelchair basketball and now, softball. The organization also runs an on-going fitness and aerobics program. This list is only snapshot of what HOPE Network has done and continues to do for people with disabilities.
HOPE Network asked for assistance from the National Wheelchair Softball Association (NWSA), the governing body for wheelchair softball. A member of their board and founder of the Tampa Bay Rays' team came to Pittsburgh and conducted a clinic for potential players, coaches, and umpires. Twenty-four individuals attended that clinic and several continued with casual practices twice a month for the summer.
At the end of that summer, it was decided that the team wanted to continue into the next season, but to look at being a more competitive. With becoming a competitive team comes fundraising and name recognition. Several teams throughout the United States have Major League Baseball affiliations, and so it was decided to approach the Pirates organization for the use of their name and logo. Being a MLB affiliated team allows the team name recognition and the ability to enter tournaments established for only those teams, not to mention the ability to promote Pittsburgh's home team and the sport of wheelchair softball.
The team competed in one, away tournament last year as a developmental team. But with the support of the Pirates organization, through a monetary and uniform donation, the team now has a name and is planning a busier schedule, including attending the NWSA's national Tournament and MLB's yearly tournament in New York. The team is always looking for new members so that a full-roster may be achieved.
