Pittsburgh Pirates president Frank Coonelly held a live chat on the Pirates’ website giving the fans a chance to ask him some questions.

Funny — albeit sad, tragic, and painfully truthful — times ensued.

signdante: How many home runs will the “change in atmosphere” hit this season? And will it be suitable protection for Jason Bay in the middle of the lineup?

Coonelly: signdante, I detect some sarcasm in your question. My guess is that “the change in atmosphere” will not hit any home runs this year. We are hoping, however, that Adam LaRoche, Xavier Nady and others will provide Jason with some protection this year. The change in atmosphere, which you apparently mock, will be seen by all of our fans who enjoy baseball at PNC Park, and I believe will contribute to far greater success in 2008 and beyond.

The Pirates have been marketing “change in atmosphere” just like myriad oft-hurting teams have been marketing other off-the-field intangibles — right field amusements in Philadelphia, fat drunks in Florida, and yelling “Oh!” during the national anthem in Baltimore (they really don’t have much else down there).

Team leadership does these things to either (1) save money or (2) try to cover up the fact the team they’re fielding is dismal.

It’s good to see fans stepping up and challenging the leadership — we don’t want games in the outfield or a happy environment, we want a winning team. Give the fans what they want (read, contender) and the money will follow. Bonus points to “signdante” for forcing Mr. Coonelly into quite the thin answer.

Hat tip to friend of the show Cory Humes from MVN for the link.