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Pittsburgh Pirates going Global

Guest contribution by loyal reader and current Q2 intern, Michael Goldman.

Real pirate ships aren’t the only pirates in the news for their global endeavors anymore.  Recently, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made additions to their club from around the globe, including Monday’s signing of Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel from India, and the South African Mpho “Gift” Ngoepe a few months ago.

The 20-year-old “pitchers” Singh and Patel are a gamble for the Pirates, as neither had picked up a baseball before entering India’s reality TV contest “Million Dollar Arm” in March.  In fact, neither won the contest, but both came to America following the show.  After working out for several months with Coach Tom House, the two held a tryout in Arizona attended by 30 major league scouts.  The two hurlers are believed to be the first athletes from India to sign professional baseball contracts outside of India.  The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that it is believed the Pirates signed Singh and Patel for bonuses between $15,000 and $20,000 each.

Perhaps the Pirates are turning over a new page; in the past the organization rarely searched for players in nontraditional markets.  Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington had this to say about the new players:

“The Pirates are committed to creatively adding talent to our organization.  By adding these two young men, the Pirates are pleased to not only add two prospects to our system but also hope to open a pathway to an untapped market. We are intrigued by Patel’s arm strength and Singh’s frame and potential.”

Whether or not Singh or Patel ever make the Pirates’ major league club is questionable, but Huntington doesn’t seem to be the only one confident in their ability to play at the highest level.  Jeff Borris, Barry Bonds’ agent, signed both after watching them workout in Southern California and liked their raw potential.

Likewise, the 18-year-old Mpho Ngoepe could become the first player from South Africa to reach the majors.  The switch-hitting shortstop is scheduled to play for his country in the World Baseball Classic, after which he will likely join the Pirates’ Gulf Coast Rookie League team in Bradenton, FL.  Also like Singh and Patel, Ngoepe is a project for the Pirates, as his game is rather unpolished but shows promise.  The “Gift” had the opportunity to train with former Cincinnati Reds shortstop Barry Larkin at an MLB sponsored academy, and Ngoepe appears to be integrating some of Barry’s style into his own.

If any of these players make a major league squad it would mean a great deal for the globalization of baseball.  No longer will Asia and the Americas be the only source for young talent.  Regarding the signing of Singh and Patel and the Pirates leading the way in new markets, scout Ray Poitevint expressed that, “For the Pirates to be at the forefront with this is really a coup for them.  I admire Pittsburgh for coming and taking charge.  Usually it’s Boston or the Yankees, but the Pirates took charge.”  If I had to guess, as soon as these guys show some real promise, Brian Cashman and Theo Epstein will both be sending a team of scouts to India and Africa.

By Darren Heitner

Darren Adam Heitner, Esq., is a preeminent sports attorney and the founder of Heitner Legal, P.L.L.C., a Fort Lauderdale-based law firm specializing in sports law, contract negotiations, intellectual property, and arbitration. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2010 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Florida in 2007, where he was named Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Admitted to practice in the state bars of Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, as well as multiple federal courts, Darren also serves as a certified arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As an adjunct professor, Darren imparts his expertise through teaching Sports Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) at the University of Miami School of Law in the Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law LL.M. program. His scholarly contributions include authoring several books published by the American Bar Association, such as How to Play the Game: What Every Sports Attorney Needs to Know, and numerous articles in prominent publications like Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Above the Law. His thought leadership in NIL has earned him recognition as one of the foremost experts by The Wall Street Journal, USA TODAY, and On3, and he has been lauded as a “power player in NIL deals” by Action Network and a “top sports trademark attorney” by Sportico.

Darren’s passion for sports law led him to establish Sports Agent Blog on December 31, 2005, initially titled “I Want To Be A Sports Agent.” The platform, created as a New Year’s resolution, has grown into a cornerstone of the sports agency community, offering in-depth analysis of industry trends, legal disputes, and agent-player dynamics. His commitment to the field is further evidenced by his representation of numerous athletes and sports agents, as well as his prior role as an Adjunct Professor at Indiana University Bloomington, where he developed and taught a course on Sport Agency Management from 2011 to 2014.

Darren’s contributions have been recognized with prestigious honors, including the University of Florida’s 40 Under 40 Award, the University of Florida Levin College of Law’s Outstanding Young Alumnus Award, and designation as the best lawyer in Fort Lauderdale by Fort Lauderdale Magazine. He remains an active voice in the sports law community, sharing insights through his weekly NIL newsletter and his X posts, engaging a broad audience on legal developments in sports.

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