With the air quality index possibly approaching unhealthy levels by 7:05 p.m. game time, the Pittsburgh Pirates said people holding tickets for the game Wednesday at PNC Park can exchange them for a future game.
Anyone wishing to do so should phone 800-289-2827 before the start of the game.
National Weather Service meteorologist Lee Hendricks said the numbers likely will change throughout the evening, but the index measured 196 as of 8 a.m. in Downtown Pittsburgh. Moderate includes an index between 51 and 100, and air unhealthy for sensitive groups ranks between 101 and 150. Air unhealthy for everyone is between 201 and 300, Hendricks said.
“We have been in contact with Major League Baseball, the Major League Baseball Players Association, our team of expert medical providers at Allegheny Health Network, and city and county officials regarding the current and projected air quality index in our area,” the Pirates said in a statement.
“We are currently planning to host (Wednesday’s game against the San Diego Padres) as scheduled. We will continue to closely monitor the air quality index levels around the ballpark.”
