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Pirates home opener: Fans looking forward to a day at PNC Park | TribLIVE.com
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Pirates home opener: Fans looking forward to a day at PNC Park

Joanne Klimovich Harrop And Haley Daugherty
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Jen Hoffman, of West Newton, holds her 8 month-old son, Crew Hoffman, while he watches his dad and older brother, Cody and Colby Hoffman, throw a baseball while tailgating on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Marc Fogel, a former Oakmont teacher who spent three years in a Russian prison, shaking hands with Steve Blass. Fogel was to throw out the first pitch Friday at the Pirates home opener.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Ashlee Babko, of Fredericktown, showcases her baseball themed nails while tailgating with family on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Rod Greczek, of Homer City, prepares food for family and friends on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. Greczek has attended every home opener since 1976, the 65 year-old said.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Nicholas Andrascik, 13, background, enjoys a hotdog while with his dad, Alan Andrascik, left, both from Indiana, Pa., while his brother, and Nicholas’ uncle, Rod Greczek, cooks on the grill during tailgating on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Tyler Polcawich, of Monongahela, sets up his tables for opening day tailgating on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Niko Babko, 7, of Washington County, throws a football with his friends on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Colby Hoffman, 4, of West Newton, throws a ball with his dad, Cody Hoffman, on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Cody Hoffman, of West Newton, throws a ball with his son, Colby Hoffman, 4, while tailgating on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Ben Prantl, a Duquesne University student, throws ball with friends while tailgating on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
John Marshall stands watch over his grill as the coals burn down on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. The Gibsonia resident was cooking for a large group of tailgaters for the Pirates’ home opener on Friday.
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Shane Dunlap | TribLive
Steve Feldmeier, of Pittsburgh, tailgates with friends on Friday, April 4, 2025 outside PNC Park on Pittsburgh’s North Shore.
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Rod Greczek, 65, of Homer City, is marking his 50th home opener on Friday, April 4, 2025, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. “Opening Day means a new baseball season and the start of spring and is a reason for hope.”
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Jamal Etienne-Harrigan, of the Fairywood neighborhood in Pittsburgh, made sweet potatoes with Bourbon drizzle, corn bread, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and fire slaw for his tailgate party before the Pirates home opener at PNC Park on Friday, April 4, 2025. He said opening day is about making new friends.
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Bryan Polas, of Kennedy Township, said he has “Bucco Fever" before the home opener on Friday, April 4, 2025, at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. “It’s the beginning of the season. You have to have faith.”
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Nicholas Andrascik, 13, of Indiana, Pa. takes in his first home opener on Friday, April 4, 2025 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. ”This is pretty fun. I was in history class and got to leave early.” Nicholas Andrascik, 13, of Indiana, Pa. takes in his first home opener on Friday at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. ”This is pretty fun. I was in history class and got to leave early.”
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JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | TribLive
Ashlee Babko, of Washington County, shows off the baseball-themed manicure see got for the Pirates home opener at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Friday, April 4, 2025.
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Christopher Horner | TribLive
Bryan Reynolds takes batting practice before the Pirates’ home opener against the Yankees on Friday, April 4, 2025, at PNC Park.
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Christopher Horner | TribLive
Paul Skenes talks with manager Derek Shelton in the outfield during batting practice before the Pirates’ home opener against the Yankees on Friday, April 4, 2025, at PNC Park.
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Christopher Horner | TribLive
Andrew McCutchen talks with Tarik Brock in right field next to Adam Frazier before the Pirates’ home opener against the Yankees on Friday, April 4, 2025, at PNC Park.
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Christopher Horner | TribLive
Andrew McCutchen works out in front of the Clemente Wall in right field before the Pirates’ home opner against the Yankees on Friday, April 4, 2025, 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.”

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.

Who’s in right?

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