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Joining the Pirate Parrot will be another team mascot.

"He will not replace the big green chicken because everyone loves him," said Tim Schuldt, vice president of marketing, sales and broadcasting for the Pirates. "The new mascot will be warm and cuddly with one gold tooth. He looks like a Pirate. One will work the one dugout and the other will work the other. Fans will love him."

Adding another mascot is one of many things the Pirates' front office plans to do to attract more fans this season. The goal is to reach the 2 million mark in attendance, which has been achieved just three times in the team's 120-year history.

If the past weekend is any indication, the interest is there. The three-day PirateFest at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center drew a record attendance of 15,361, which is impressive considering the city's focus on the Steelers' run to the Super Bowl.

"Neither rain, nor sleet, nor a Steelers' pep rally (Friday), could keep the fans away from this," Schuldt said. "That shows the Pirates fans' allegiance is strong. This weekend is a testament to the loyalty of the fans of this city."

Two fans who attended the event were Amy Leeds, 43, and Helen Zak, 77, neighbors and friends from Sheraden. The two attend games together and are planning to see the Pirates and Dodgers on Opening Day on April 10. Leeds got hitting advice from new Pirates manager Jim Tracy at a clinic yesterday. He made a difference in her game in only three swings.

"He really helped my swing," said Leeds, who ripped a line-drive up the middle of the PirateFest Field set up inside the convention center. "I could tell the difference after he showed me how to do it. I can use what I learned when I play wiffle ball with my niece in the back yard."

This was the first PirateFest for outfielder Chris Duffy, who said he was blown away by the attendance of the event and impressed with all the activities for children and adults.

"I think, with all of our offseason moves that people are really excited about this season," said Duffy, who signed autographs yesterday. "Things here have a taken a 360-degree turn. I feel like we are a winning team already, and we haven't even started."

Pitcher Ryan Vogelsong, who also had an autograph session, said he can tell the difference in the way fans talk to him.

"They seem genuinely excited about the upcoming season, and if there is anything to get you motivated about the season, that is a pretty good one," he said. "This town loves its sports and seeing what the Steelers are doing is motivation for us. People flock to the Steelers and I know if we can win some games, then this city will be like that for us."

Schuldt said fans already have purchased hundreds of full season ticket packages this weekend, which is unusual at this event.

He said the team plans to do things to reach all fans from youth to senior citizens. Instead of having just weekend promotions, there will be some during the week. Mondays will be Scratch n'Win ticket days where fans can win prizes, including autographed player jerseys, and the ultimate prize, a Harley Davidson motorcycle. There will be group ticket sales promotions and events for senior citizens on day games such as pill-box day and autograph day with Pirates alumni. There will be Ladies Day events, including an appearance by Michael Denton from the show "Desperate Housewives."

"We want to make coming to the ballpark a fun time for everyone, and we don't just want to live off the All-Star game," Schuldt said. "We want to give people many reasons to come to PNC Park. We have a great product to offer."

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