Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Donates $100 For Every Strikeout

It's baseball's opening week. This Pittsburgh Pirates prospect is promising to do more than just strike out his opponents.

You may not know the name Paul Skenes. But you may hear about this future MLB pitcher soon. Last year while pitching for Louisiana State he recorded 209 strikeouts. But this season, if he pitches that many, it may cost him. But it's for a very good cause. It involves Forrest Gump and Apollo 13 star Gary Sinise.

While he was a hero in Apollo 13, Gary Sinise and his workers at the foundation are real life heroes. According to his website:

At the Gary Sinise Foundation, we serve our nation by honoring our defenders, veterans, first responders, their families, and those in need. We do this by creating and supporting unique programs designed to entertain, educate, inspire, strengthen, and build communities. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Triple A pitcher Paul Skenes is also a hero.

According to Pennlive.com, Paul has found a new motivation to fire some heat.

Paul posted this on his X account:

“Join me this season as I support the Gary Sinise Foundation in raising funds for our nation’s veterans and first responders,” he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “I am personally donating $100 every strikeout I record this season. Please click the link in my bio to join my mission and make your donation!”

Paul's motivation to raise his money is in honor of the veterans in his family, and all veterans and first responders. If Paul matches his Louisiana State record last year of 209, his donation will be $20,000. Paul aims to top that now with a mission of reaching $100,000.

Skenes is slated to start this season at Triple-A Indianapolis. In a weird way, this season when this Pittsburgh Pirates prospect donates $100 with your strike out, it could be considered a home run.

Baseball season is underway. The Red Sox kicked off their season last night in Seattle with a 6-4 win over the Mariners. The Sox will stay on the west coast until opening day at Fenway which isn't until April 9. That's less than two weeks away. So for that reason, we want to prepare you for your future trip to Fenway Park. If you haven't been to a Red Sox game in a while, you have to know things have changed quite a bit.

The 2024 Red Sox season is the 124th season in Boston Red Sox franchise history, and their 113th season at Fenway Park. Expectations for the team this year are not very high. The first goal is to avoid the bottom of the American League east for the third straight season. They've won 78 games for the past two seasons so it seems as if the predictions for the Sox will be to win right around the same amount.

The players you must know are: Rafael Devers will be playing in his first year of his 10-year, $313 million contract extension.  The 27 year old from the Dominican Republic wears #11 and plays third base. Then there is Trevor Story. The 31 year old shortsop/second baseman from Irving, TX is in the middle of a six year contract with the Red Sox. Tristan Casas finished third in the rookie of the year voting last year. He wears #36 and plays first base.

Now that you know the stars and the expectations, let's dive into what you need to know before heading to a Red Sox Game this season. From parking to food to seating there have been many changes in the past several years. These are the 9 most important things you must know before taking that ride to Jersey Street for a Rd Sox Game.

Parking around Fenway can be very pricey and very tricky. According to the Red Sox website, there are Official Parking Lots of the Boston Red Sox
Prudential Center Garage. Entrances at 800 Boylston St., 111 Huntington Ave., 35 Dalton Street, Ring Road; 3,000 spaces. You can get a $20 discounted rate by scanning a same-day Red Sox ticket (digital or printed) at the exit machine when leaving the garage. But if you want to try any lot around Fenway, you're looking at a minimum of $40 and upwards of $58 to park.

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/transportation/parking

Sweet Caroline was first played at Fenway Park in 1997 after a Red Sox employee in charge of music at the park played the song as a tribute to a friend who had given birth to a baby named Caroline. It's become a tradition ever since. It is played each home game before the bottom of the eighth inning. So learn it! 

The bag policy at Fenway Park is pretty strict. You will be asked to store your bag in a third party locker for a fee if your bag is bigger than the requirements.  Bags must be single-compartment and no larger than 12"x12"x6". Backpacks, backpack-style purses, duffel bags, and other multi-compartment bags are NOT permitted.

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/information/guide

Back in 2022, Fenway went cashless.  Everyone is required to use credit cards or touchless smartphone payments for all purchases in the concourses and in the stands.  If you don't have any cards, never fear. You can purchase pre-paid cards with cash that you can then use at concession stands. 

https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/mass-ag-signs-off-on-fenways-new-cashless-policy/2703881/

No matter what the weather report says, it is always chillier inside Fenway Park than it is in the real world. According to Facebook user Anna Inch: "Definitely bring a blanket. Or an extra jacket. It doesn’t matter what the forecast says, that’s not what it feels like." 

https://www.boston.com/community/readers-say/heres-where-to-eat-drink-and-stay-warm-in-the-fenway/

This tip is thanks to Kerri Kearns. Uber and Lyft tend to price gouge for big events like baseball games. But if you say you're going to Target, you will get a cheaper price and it's very much short walking distance to Fenway.

https://www.mlb.com/redsox/ballpark/transportation

If you're a taller or bigger person, you may be a tad uncomfortable in the Fenway Park seats. Bleacher seats and box seats are newer. According to a Reddit user:  AVOID the grandstand seats if you are tall or above average size.

Water can cost a pretty penny inside Fenway. While you are NOT allowed to bring food or drinks, they DO allow you to bring in water, provided it is in bottles of less than 16 ounces, and not in a glass container or a can.  There are also a water fountain behind the grandstands on the third base side of home plate.

https://nesn.com/fenway-park-stadium-guide/#:~:text=You're%20allowed%20to%20bring,which%20can%20save%20you%20%245.