Ross Gallabrese COMMUNITY NIGHT PLANS — Discussing this year's Steubenville-Weirton Community Night at PNC Park are, from left, Kevan Brown, business manager for Local 246 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; John Hale, publisher of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times; and Scott Campbell of M&M True Value Hardware.

STEUBENVILLE — Baseball, more than any other sport, has been built on tradition.

From the anticipation leading up to opening day, to families and friends gathering around a radio or television on a warm summer night to watch a game, to fans diving deep into the statistics of their favorite players, to spirited comparisons between today’s stars and those who played a century ago, baseball has always held a special connection with its fans.

Residents of the Tri-State Area have a tradition of their own — the annual Steubenville-Weirton Community Night at PNC Park.

This year’s event is scheduled for July 8, when the Pittsburgh Pirates take on the Atlanta Braves in a 6:40 p.m. game.

“This is one of the most-anticipated promotions we do all year,” said John Hale, publisher of the Herald-Star and The Weirton Daily Times, which again are sponsoring the annual trip. “Every year, we get calls starting in November from people asking about the plans for the following season.”

Tickets for the event cost $65 and are on sale now. The price includes round-trip bus transportation between the parking lot at the Herald-Star building and PNC Park, along with a game ticket that includes $10 in concession credits.

“It remains a great deal,” Hale said. “You get to relax and enjoy the ride, and you don’t have to worry about fighting traffic or finding a place to park.”

Sponsors for this year’s event include Steubenville-based Local 246 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, M&M True Value Hardware and Lenzner Travel.

Kevan Brown, business manager for Local 246, said he and union members are proud to help support the event.

“Local 246 is happy to be involved in community night. Our members live in the community, and we’re seen throughout the community here,” he said. “Anything we can do to be a part of community night going forward, we’re happy to be involved with it.

“We have our retired members who go, and kids and family. Everybody knows Local 246 around here — we try to get our name out there as much as possible. Our members live here. If we can get them up to Pittsburgh to have a fun night, we’re happy to be a part of it.”

Scott Campbell of M&M Hardware said the reason for supporting the event comes down to one word.

“The main word is community,” Campbell said. “We’ve been here for more than 115 years and being a part of community night is something that we are glad we can do. Baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet — and M&M Hardware, because it has been here forever.

“We’re happy to be able to contribute and to help make things happen — and to bring members of the community together to travel to Pittsburgh and watch the Pirates.”

The number of remaining tickets is extremely limited, Hale said. Those interested in purchasing tickets can call Kay Shannon at 740-283-4711, ext. 213, or email her at kshannon@heraldstaronline.com

. Tickets also may be purchased at the Herald-Star during regular business hours.

“These trips have always sold out, and this year will be no exception,” Hale said.

Buses will depart from the front of the Herald-Star building at 4 p.m. July 8. Attendees may park in the newspaper’s lot at 401 Herald Square.