Pirates home opener: Fans looking forward to a day at PNC Park
For the first time ever, the Pittsburgh Pirates will host the New York Yankees in a home opener.
Gates opened at 2 p.m. at PNC Park, which is celebrating its 25th season. First pitch is 4:12 p.m., a nod to Pittsburgh’s area code.
The Pirates have struggled early on but are coming off a 4-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday. The Yankees defeated the Arizona Diamonbacks 9-7 on Thursday.
School’s out for some young fans
Ashaar Senay, 9, Mason Shaw and Bryson Daniels, 9, were ecstatic when their parents pulled them out of school for early dismissal Friday afternoon.
The three boys headed to the North Shore with their parents to attend the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener against the New York Yankees.
“We have good kids, they’re very smart,” said Danielle Shaw, of Canonsburg. “Taking them out of school for a day — from our point of view, it’s not a big deal.”
She said she was happy to bring the kids to the atmosphere of opening day. Shaw said the boys enjoyed a medley of family-friendly activities.
“There’s lots of activities and good stuff (for the kids) to do down here,” Shaw said.
Mason’s personal favorite was the batting cage where children could hit baseballs off of tees.
“I like to hit and Ashaar and I play travel baseball together,” Mason said.
Ashaar and Bryson found a mutual love for cornhole set up along Federal Street.
Todd Daniels, of Cecil, is a lifelong fan of the Pirates. He said since the boys all play baseball together, he and the other parents thought it’d be a good idea to bring them to the game.
“They been having a great time,” Daniels said. “I think it’s important just as much for the social aspect as for the game itself.”
His son, Bryson, said this was his third time attending opening. He said he loves it every year.
Mason and Ashaar were both enjoying their first home openers.
Ashaar said he was excited to see Mitch Keller take the mound. Despite wishing he was in the infield, Mason said he was excited to see O’Neil Cruz. Bryson said he was ready to cheer on Andrew McCutchen.
— Haley Daugherty
Fans looking forward to a day at the park
Ashlee Babko of Washington County always brings her daughter Amelia who is 13 to opening day for her birthday
“This is a great experience for young people,” Babko said.
Babko also brought her son Niko who is 7 and his travel baseball teammates Landry Otto who is 9 and Carter Hoffman who is 7. Carter’s little sister Calleigh was also there. She is 5.
Landry’s dad L.C. Otto of Fayette County said the three boys are best friends
“They love baseball and this is such a fun day and we wanted them to be here,” L.C. Otto said.
Angela Huang 16 a sophomore exchange student from Taiwan who attends Mercer High School was attending her first home opener. She was wearing a Let’s Go Bucs” T-Shirt.
“This is very exciting and very cool, “ she said. “I hope they win.”
She was at a tailgate where John Marshall of Cranberry was grilling fish since it is a Friday during Lent. Marshall was also serving brisket and beef tenderloin. He’s been to 30 home openers. He’s only missed one during g that time when it was on Good Friday.
“It is important to bring children because that is how you grow the fan base,” he said. “They see all the excitement and it makes them want to come back.”
— JoAnne Harrop
Related:
• Going to the Pirates home opener? What you need to know
• PNC Park unveils new menu items for this baseball season
• More Pirates
Fans starting to tailgate
Fans are tailgating in the parking lots around the stadium.
Nicholas Andrascik, 13, of Indiana, Pa., took in his first home opener. ”This is pretty fun. I was in history class and got to leave early.”
While Rod Greczek, 65, of Homer City, marked his 50th home opener. “Opening Day means a new baseball season and the start of spring and is a reason for hope.”
At PNC Park for the Pittsburgh Pirates home opening day. The Buccos face off against the Yankees at 4:12. Follow along w/ me, @joannescoop and @TribLIVE for opening day news! pic.twitter.com/2Rs5Z3TJTL
— haley daugherty (@halzdoc) April 4, 2025
It’s the Pirates home opener… Ashlee Babko of Washington County got a baseball-themed manicure ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/DLFTcsK3rm
— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 4, 2025
Baseball fans are setting up for @Pirates Home Opener today on Pittsburgh’s North Shore @TribLIVE pic.twitter.com/8hkq4UEk90
— Shane Dunlap (@shanedunlap) April 4, 2025
Pirates lineup announced
In a surprise move Andrew McCutchen is set to start in right field today.
Jared Triolo is at second and Mitch Keller is on the mound.
Back at PNC Park ????
???? @SNPittsburgh
???? @937theFan | The PRN#LetsGoBucs x @bet365_us pic.twitter.com/t4kHw4qRnt— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 4, 2025
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