To open its 25th season, PNC Park will welcome former Oakmont teacher Marc Fogel to throw out the ceremonial first pitch when the Pirates host the New York Yankees on Friday.

Game time is 4:12 p.m.

Fogel was arrested Aug. 14, 2021, in Moscow for bringing medical marijuana into Russia before his final year at the Anglo-American School. He was convicted of drug smuggling and possession and received a 14-year sentence. His family and supporters lobbied for his wrongful detention status, which was granted last year. In February, the Trump administration helped secure his release.

“As soon as we heard he was coming home, we talked about having him here at the ballpark,” Pittsburgh Pirates President Travis Williams said during a media tour Wednesday. “He was on the top of our list. We wanted to welcome him back to Pittsburgh and have him experience the cheers of the people in this city and hopefully give him a little bit of joy and happiness. We cannot imagine everything he and his family have gone through.”

Shane Dunlap | TribLive Pittsburgh Pirates President Travis Williams speaks to local media Wednesday during media open house at PNC Park.  

Standing on the field Wednesday, Williams talked about the quarter-century celebration of the ballpark. He called the home opener “one of my favorite days on the calendar.“

At the Fanatics Clubhouse store, Terry Walcutt, Fanatics PNC Park general manager, discussed some of the new items, including a hat to honor the 25th anniversary of PNC Park, a Pirates Parrot plush and a hot dog plush dog toy that squeaks. There are also collectible trading cards, which have created more interest with the Paul Skenes’ rookie card.

Pirates executive vice president of sales and business development David Burke said the new season-ticket headquarters is an area where Pirates representatives and season-ticket holders can meet to discuss things such as ticket exchanges, upgrades and other benefits season-ticket holders have.

“You will see a lot of historical items here in this area,” Burke said. “A big push by Bob Nutting and Travis Williams is a focus on the fans. This space is a great place in the ballpark. It’s convenient.”

Shane Dunlap | TribLive The new kielbasa cheesesteak is introduced Wednesday at PNC Park.  

Next was the debut of new food items, such as the kielbasa cheesesteak with caramelized onions and provolone cheese; the chipped ham empanada with pickles, cheddar cheese and hot honey barbecue sauce; and the chili crunch smashburger topped with caramelized onions and American cheese. Also new to the menu this year are Polish cannonballs, filled with egg noodles, kielbasa, bacon and sauteed cabbage and cheddar cheese; and a hot honey chicken croissant. The fried almond torte is funnel cake batter, raspberry sauce, icing and burnt almonds.

New suite-level menu items include kielbasa croissant rolls, chipped ham eggrolls, a toasted Italian sandwich and the club loaf.

Shane Dunlap | TribLive Executive chef Gabor Kovats explains some of the new items on the menu for this season on Wednesday during media open house at PNC Park.  

Aramark senior executive chef Gabor Kovats said the fried almond torte and the chipped ham eggrolls are his favorite new menu items.

Kovats said this season they’ve added the vegan Beyond chicken tenders at the Homeplate Market.

“Fans will stop me in the ballpark when they see me and ask about vegan and vegetarians options,” Kovats said. “I give them my cellphone number and tell them to text me the next time they are coming to the ballpark and that I will have something for them.”

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