Here's how Pirates fans can let out all of their grievances against the team's management

Are you a Pittsburgh Pirates fan wondering how in the world this front office thinks this team can win in today's MLB with the roster they have assembled? Now is your chance to ask.

PiratesFest is returning to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh this weekend, taking place over two full days from Jan. 18-19. The annual event – which is free to the public, but requires ticket reservations in advance – includes autograph sessions and meet and greets with Pirates players and alumni, interactive games and more.

Also included in the event programming is an "Ask Pirates Management" Q&A session with team president Travis Williams, general manager Ben Cherington and field manager Derek Shelton. For fans who cannot attend the session Saturday at 10:30 a.m., there is also an online form on the team's website that can be used to submit their questions for Williams, Cherington and Shelton. Moderators will utilize these questions, along with live questions from the audience, "to ensure the most important topics are covered."

Pirates fan protest set to take place on day one of PiratesFest Jan. 18

And while we're on the topic of frustrations with team management, PiratesFest is also expected to be the site of the next fan protest against Pirates owner Bob Nutting.

Beginning in November, billboards began to pop up around downtown Pittsburgh reading, "Abandon ship, Bob! Sell the team." The billboard campaign is just one of several measures taken by a group of frustrated Pirates fans who are fed up with years of mediocrity and attempting to put pressure on Nutting to sell the team.

The same folks who are behind this grassroots movement have already organized a handful of small protests in downtown Pittsburgh, building toward a larger protest set to take place at PiratesFest Jan. 18.

"Join us outside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center to voice your disgust towards this ownership and operations," the group's website reads. "We'll be giving away free SELL THE TEAM t-shirts (while supplies last, about 200), stickers and car magnets! We also have a 'mobile surprise' for Bob and company."

Whether Nutting himself will make an appearance at PiratesFest is unknown (but highly doubtful). Still, expect to see a decent-sized crowd with a powerful message outside the convention center Saturday morning.

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