Bucco news and notes: 1/31

• President Frank Coonelly spoke out on the success of Piratefest, which set a new record in attendance –16,839.

“Coming off an extremely successful caravan, the fan enthusiasm for Pirates baseball all weekend long has been tremendous,” Pirates president Frank Coonelly said. “The excitement for the addition of Clint Hurdle and our young core of players was evident with the record turnout. With two weeks before pitchers and catchers report, our players are eager to get the season underway. The entire organization is energized by the incredible passion expressed by our fans over the last week and we are determined to reward that passion with the way we play the game in 2011.”

• Single game tickets went on sale Saturday. The 2011 home opener on April 7^th against the Colorado Rockies as well as the interleague series against the Boston Red Sox are limited to single seats and standing room only.
• Charlie Morton will no longer be wearing No. 37, that number will be worn by first baseman Lyle Overbay. Morton was wearing his new No. 50 jersey this weekend at Piratefest.
• Ross Ohlendorf is ready for spring training and to bounce back from last season.

“I am fully recovered and feeling great,” Ohlendorf said. “My throwing, right now, is significantly better than it was a year ago at this time.

“I didn’t have a very good spring training [last year] and I feel like I will be much stronger out of the gate [this season].”

• Kevin Correia explains his decision on why he signed with the Pirates.

“I liked the opportunity to go somewhere where I felt like I could make a difference,” he said. “I was looking for a certain situation. I wanted to be excited about baseball, I wanted to be a part of something that I knew was going in the right direction and I could be a big part of that.”

• 14 days until Pitchers and Catchers report for spring training in Bradenton, FL.