photo by: Shelley Hanson

The Pirate Parrot poses with Central Elementary School fifth graders after playing baseball with them during gym class on Thursday in Moundsville.

MOUNDSVILLE — Central Elementary School’s fifth graders got to play ball with a famous mascot on Thursday — the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Pirate Parrot.

The Parrot traveled from Pittsburgh to take over gym class and play baseball. He brought large plastic bats and foam balls to use.

The students were divided into teams and everyone got a few chances to bat and field. Pirate Parrot and his helper, Jake Bryant of Pittsburgh, said they were impressed with the students’ athleticism.

“The kids seemed like they had a blast,” Bryant said. “The kids got super stoked when my friend the Parrot came out. I think everyone had a great time.”

Parrot whispered to Bryant what he thought of the students: “He said some big arms, some big hits,” Bryant said.

“Some promising prospects. Hopefully we’ll see them in Pittsburgh one day,” he added.

Bryant noted it is important for the Pirates to visit the region.

“I think it’s really important, especially outside the immediate community of Pittsburgh, to show that we have love and appreciation for all the fans that aren’t just right in the city limits,” he said. “We love you all. … We want to interact because you are a gigantic part of our fan base, too.”

Central Elementary School Principal Katie Dantrassy said the students were given a heads up about the Pirates coming so they could wear their team gear for the event. The “gym class takeover,” she said, was done during the students’ regular gym period.