Pirates pitcher David Bednar visits Bell Acres family for season ticket holders appreciation

A Bell Acres family recently had a special guest stop by their home to thank them for being Pittsburgh Pirates season ticket holders.

Pitcher David Bednar and the Pirate Parrot were welcomed by the Semonik family on Jan. 29.

The team shared the experience on its official Twitter page with the caption “Adorable content alert.”

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— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) January 29, 2023

The family have been season ticket holders since 2017. They usually sit in the club level along the first base line.

Bednar, a Mars Area High School grad who was named to the National League All-Star team last year, talked with the family about the Bucs, baseball and training.

He also autographed baseballs for teens Michael and Bradley Semonik Jr.

The boys, ages 13 and 14, respectively, play for a traveling youth baseball team called Steel City Select. Bradley also plays catcher for Quaker Valley High School.

“It felt great to meet him, especially at my house,” the freshman infielder said about Bednar. “Pitchers and catchers have to have a good relationship. They have to understand each other pretty well. Meeting a pro pitcher is definitely something that’s helpful, and that was a good experience for me. I’ve been playing it forever and I just fell in love with the sport.”

The boys attended a baseball clinic hosted by outfielder Andrew McCutchen years ago and are happy to see him return to the Pirates.

Michael has aspirations of making it to the major leagues; he felt inspired by Bednar’s visit.

“It felt really amazing because most of the time you get to see them play in the game, but you don’t get to see them up in person and get to talk with them,” Michael said.

Their mother, Collette Semonik, said the Pirates sales people reached out to the family weeks ago and asked if they minded a visit. They didn’t tell the family Bednar would be with them.

“When we heard just the Pirate Parrot was coming we had my mother-in-law (Shirley) come over, too, because it’s just a family thing,” she said. “Both of our boys love baseball. PNC Park is a beautiful park. It’s a great family atmosphere. You’ve got certain players that you really love to see consistently, and they just do really nice things for the community, too.”

Collette’s husband, Brad, said he started playing baseball around age 7. His father, Mike Semonik, played in the minor leagues in the 1950s.

“It’s always been America’s pastime,” said Brad Semonik, 47. “I like watching it. I like playing it. I love PNC Park. I think it’s one of the nicest ballparks in the country. … I love the Pirates no matter how good or bad they are.”

He said the family went to one of Bednar’s first games with the Pirates. They sat behind several of Bednar’s high school friends.

“We really had a good time at that game. It was fun,” Brad Semonik said.

The Semoniks received a bag full of Pirates clothes and other swag as part of the visit.

They believe the Pirates will do better this year than the past few seasons.

“Isn’t that hope eternal for the Pirates?” Collette Semonik said. “I guess time will tell. I don’t profess to be an expert to know who should be traded and who they should have. I know people come down hard on management as far as the process. I’m glad (outfielder Bryan) Reynolds is still here for the season.

“I’d like to see them retain some of the talent more than we do, but I always remain hopeful. We’ll just have to wait and see.”