Each year I wait in anticipation of the releasing of the promotions schedule. I have every bobble-head given away in the last five years and seeing what new ideas and giveaways the Pirates will reveal each season was always something I looked forward to. 

If one looks at the promotional schedule for 2009 it is easy to see that they have drastically reduced the number of promotions they are having. Despite the fact that there are only three bobble-heads and much less promotions all-together, a person who enjoys the giveaways like me shouldn't be disappointed.

The fact that the Pirates are finally dumbing down their promotional schedule is a great sign for Pirate's fans. It shows that management is finally getting away from all the off the field nonsense they had done in previous years and shows that management wants the focus to shift back to the play on the field and that they mean no nonsense anymore. 

Perhaps I'm reading too much into it, but I was very excited to see the promotions schedule this year, not because of the Nate McLouth All-Star Bobblehead, but because it has much less on it which shows management is ready to shift the focus back to the field and to baseball. The way Pirate's baseball should be.