Going to the Pirates home opener? What you need to know
The first-place Pittsburgh Pirates open their home season Friday.
They host the Baltimore Orioles. First pitch is set for 4:12 p.m. — a nod to the city’s 412 area code — at PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
The weather forecast isn’t looking favorable. Attendance is, however.
The game is expected to be a sellout, said Pirates President Travis Williams during Tuesday’s media tour for the annual “What’s New at PNC Park” event. All fans will receive a magnetic schedule.
As of 6 p.m. Tuesday, there were a limited number of tickets available starting at $109.
“With it being a sellout and all the activity around the club, we are really excited,” Williams said. “We hope fans enjoy what we have done in the offseason both off and on the field.”
Williams said this year’s hot start began last season with the players having a never-give-up attitude.
“That is carrying over to this season,” Williams said.
Gates open at 2:12 p.m. with a pre-game ceremony beginning at 3:30 with Pirates play-by-play broadcaster Greg Brown. Team Fast Trax will be deploying two parajumpers to land in PNC Park — weather permitting.
Pirates third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes will be presented with his 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove by Steve Cohen from Rawlings. “God Bless America” will be performed by Sgt. Joseph Dukes of the Air Force and the national anthem by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra brass section.
Ceremonial first pitch
Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch in honor of his upcoming induction into Cooperstown will be Hall of Fame manager and Pittsburgh resident Jim Leyland. Leyland began his Major League managerial career with the Pirates in 1986 and led the Bucs to three straight division titles from 1990-92 while amassing 851 victories in his 11 seasons with the club.
Weather
There might be rain — and snow — according to Lee Hendricks, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Moon. There is an 80% chance of precipitation, he said. Afternoon temperatures are expected to be in the mid-40s with wind gusts of 10 mph to 15 mph and possibly 25 mph. Tuesday’s record rainfall, combined with dropping temperatures, will continue the rest of the week.
“It is not looking like a great day for playing baseball,” Hendricks said.
Bridge open
The Roberto Clemente Bridge between the North Shore and Downtown will be open to pedestrian traffic only. The bridge, which reopened at the beginning of 2024, had been closed for nearly two years as part of the $85.6 million maintenance project on the city’s three landmark Sister Bridges, which includes the Andy Warhol and Rachel Carson bridges.
The Clemente Bridge underwent a rehabilitation that included structural, steel and masonry repairs; replacement of bridge decks, sidewalks, stairs, utility lines and lighting; and repainting of the bridges and handrails.
Williams said the block parties on Federal Street near the Clemente Bridge will be expanded back to their usual size.
“Having the bridge open again and to have that connectivity back to the Downtown corridor and to be able to have our fans walk across the bridge will enhance the experience,” Williams said. “They can walk across the bridge on Opening Day and see the enhancements we made to the river walk last year.”
Dining
The Pirates have partnered with Wigle Whiskey in the Strip District throughout the park, which includes a new restaurant that will debut on Opening Day along Federal Street. It will be open daily. On game days, it will extend out onto Federal Street.
“Wigle has a rich tradition in Pittsburgh as the first distillery to start out since Prohibition, similar to the rich tradition of baseball,” said Alex Moser, chief operating officer for Wigle Whiskey, during Tuesday’s media preview. “We are honored to be a part of the Pirates and so excited to see our brand come to life here at PNC Park.”
Other new dining options inside the park include the Renegade Dog, a footlong hot dog with pot roast, mini pierogies and onions on a bun and Pitt Dog, which is topped with capicola, provolone cheese, vinegar slaw and potato sticks on a Martin’s potato roll.
Pittsburgh’s Caliente Pizza & Draft House returns to the lineup with its pizza and is adding wings. Coop de Ville in the Strip District is offering a chicken biscuit sandwich.
Parking/transportation
When trying to find a parking spot, plan accordingly. It’s a weekday, so you might have to deal with workday traffic.
All of Alco Parking’s lots are cashless. Attendants will be directing cars to parking spots. Lots open four hours before game time.
PNC Park also is cashless and has reverse ATMs that turn cash into cards.
Pittsburgh Regional Transit will have two-car trains on the Red and Blue Line starting at 2 p.m. and extra service for after the game. Buses will be on regular service routes. It is best to visit the Parking Authority website for a list of Downtown lots and garages and their rates.
Fans who want to ride the Gateway Clipper Fleet’s shuttle from the South Side near Station Square to PNC Park will not be able to do so because of the recent flooding.
Christian Wirginis, vice president of operations for the Gateway Clipper, said transporting fans to the stadium is part of the Opening Day experience. The water level continues to be partway up the tunnel leading down to the Gateway Clipper dock, Wirginis said, and along the walkway on the North Shore landing near PNC Park.
“Based on the National Weather Service river level forecast and the water level we will not be able to shuttle fans to the Pirate game for the home opener on Friday or Saturday and Sunday games,” he said. ”We apologize for the inconvenience.”
The rest of the cruises scheduled for this weekend will be sailing from the Station Square dock, Wirginis said. The reason those cruises will be happening is because the company has a bridge it uses to deal with high water on its dock. The North Shore walkway won’t be cleaned up in time and safe for shuttle service, Wirginis said.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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