Jason Galata of North Huntingdon insists it was not a team trip to meet Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin at the Westmoreland Mall on Saturday morning, but it felt like one.
Galata coaches a traveling team of 9-year-old baseball players, including his son, Lucas, for the Norwin Community Athletic Association.
Many of the players and their family members were at the new Dick’s House of Sport to get autographs and photos with Griffin, as well as check out the store during its grand opening weekend.
“There was a lot of our team that was here in line,” the coach said. “It’s awesome. They get to see what they can become if they put in the hard work and dedication and practice. This is where you can end up: signing autographs one day for someone.”
One of Galata’s players, Keith Davis, 9, attended with his grandfather and longtime Pirates fan Scott Gibson. They’re both from North Huntingdon.
Keith wore Griffin’s jersey while Gibson wore a Pirates gold stars ball cap.
“It’s been great,” Gibson said. “I think it’s well run. I love baseball, and (Keith) has it in his heart.”
Lucas and Keith said it was great to meet Konnor and they hope he gets well soon.
“I’m going to pray for a healthy recovery and that he brings us into the playoffs and to a championship,” Gibson said. “They are getting better.”
Griffin is out on the 60-day injured list until at least September. The shortstop has been sidelined since July 7 with a torn left ring finger sagittal band.
Griffin did not take any questions from the media at the event.
Tina Miller, 56, and her son Griffin, 14, of Clarksville are Pirates fans who traveled more than an hour for the event.
“Getting to meet Konnor Griffin is an epic opportunity,” Griffin said. “He’ll be the face of our franchise. We couldn’t pass this opportunity up. He was so kind and it was just great meeting him.”
Miller said Griffin is one of her favorite players and reminder her of her son. They were going to the Pirates game Saturday night and look forward to seeing Griffin back out on the field.
“I feel like one day I’m really happy and the next day I’m not,” Miller said about the season. “We’re fans. So, we go with the ebbs and flows and hope for the best.”
Jerrod Thompson of Apollo brought his son, Nash, 6. Both were decked out in Pirates gear.
“I think it was an awesome experience, especially for the little guy,” Thompson said. “We had to stand in line for quite some time. I think we got here at 8 in the morning. … We’re going to definitely come back and check out all the other stuff. It will be a good day in baseball when Konnor comes back.”
The House of Sport store is about 100,000 square feet and features a lot more than your typical sports apparel and equipment.
There’s a 35-foot climbing wall, a golf simulator and multi-sport cage so people can tryout some of the merchandise before deciding whether to buy.
Griffin met with fans for about 90 minutes. More than 150 people showed up with many wearing team apparel. Some traveled at least an hour to be there and arrived three hours early to get a good spot in line.
Security was tight and event staff allowed about equal time for each fan interactions.