We've been hearing it for years: Mired in 17 consecutive losing seasons, the Pirates are punting on the present and building for the future. As usual, some of the team's best and most popular players have been traded for prospects.

If you're fed up with this shtick from the likes of Pirates hierarchy, maybe you should take it from Blair Douglass. Mr. Douglass, 20, of Upper St. Clair, said he will never "see" the Pirates win a championship in his lifetime, but he's sure they will be celebrating one.

"I think the Pirates are headed in the right direction ... in 10 years we'll be talking about the Pirates as a contender," he said.

While more of a reasoned response than a ringing endorsement of the Pirates' front office decisions, that's to be expected from this critical-thinking University of Pittsburgh junior, Student Honors Activities Council board member and veritable encyclopedia of baseball knowledge, who also happens to be blind.

"Blindness can't hold you back from doing anything you want to do," he said. "Blindness is simply a physical condition. You have to make a few adaptations, but those aren't big enough to affect your ability to do a job competently."

Mr. Douglass has spent a lifetime backing up his words with actions, collecting multiple awards of academic distinction.

He graduated as the valedictorian of the Upper St. Clair High School Class of 2007. Last year, he became the first winner of the alumni award from the Early Learning Institute. And recently, he was one of 30 winners, out of more than 400 applicants nationwide, to receive a $3,000 scholarship from the National Federation of the Blind.

Mr. Douglass will use the scholarship to continue studies at Pitt.

"Blair is really, really fantastic. ... Phenomenal grades, going into a great field. I think that we found ourselves a shining star in Pennsylvania," said Jim Antonacci, president of the NFB of Pennsylvania, who was one of the contest judges.

As a scholarship winner, Mr. Douglass was invited to attend the annual six-day NFB convention held this month in Detroit. The NFB is the largest organization for the blind in the United States, with more than 50,000 members. According to Mr. Antonacci, 61, the NFB's philosophy is about giving blind people equal opportunities to succeed and fighting discrimination.

This year's convention featured an extensive list of seminars on topics ranging from piano tuning and repair, to learning about innovations in tactile graphics. Speakers were from groups such as the National Association of Blind Lawyers and the Blind Professional Journalists Group.

Mr. Douglass, who applauds the disability services office at Pitt but would still like to see some aspects of the library improved, particularly enjoyed the sessions aimed at attempts to improve accessibility of college textbooks for blind students.

The international studies, history and political science triple-major is intent on earning a doctorate in international studies with a focus on conflict and conflict resolution, specializing in Europe. Ultimately, he hopes for a career in the State Department.

Mr. Douglass' interest in international relations was piqued as a student in Upper St. Clair High School's International Baccalaureate program.

Mr. Douglass was mainstreamed in kindergarten through 12th grade and said it was a parental decision he couldn't be happier about it.

"There are always going to be some people who doubt your ability. ... I have no trouble trying to prove them wrong."