Revised restrictions will allow Pirates to have fans in the stands at PNC Park this season

After playing a shortened season in an empty ballpark last summer, the Pittsburgh Pirates received welcome news Monday that will allow them to have fans in the stands at PNC Park this season.

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Monday revised restrictions to allow for 20% of maximum capacity at outdoor venues. The Pirates played all 30 home games of the 60-game season last year without fans in the stadium because of the state’s health and safety restrictions during the covid-19 pandemic.

Pirates president Travis Williams said in a statement that the club “worked extremely hard” with local, county and state health officials and politicians and to prepare for the “safe and healthy return of fans to PNC Park” and said the club is “thrilled to put those plans into action.”

The Pirates plan to announced details around ticket availability in the coming days.

“Most importantly, our fans’ health and safety will continue to be our top priority, and we will have a number of protocols in place to ensure we can all enjoy games at PNC Park in a safe and healthy manner,” Williams said in the statement. “Even though our capacity will be limited, Opening Day 2021 will truly be like no other. It will be much more than a game. It will mark a significant step in overcoming this pandemic. We cannot wait to open PNC Park and host our fans for a summer-long celebration of reconnecting with family and friends around Pirates baseball.”

The Pirates play their home opener at 1:35 p.m. April 8 against the Chicago Cubs, the first of a seven-game homestand. Capacity at PNC Park is 38,362, which would allow for a maximum of 7,672. The number of fans allowed, however, is yet to be determined. That total includes everyone inside the ballpark, and the Pirates are working under health and safety protocols to decide the number of fans permitted.

After pitching the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jayes in Dunedin, Fla., Pirates right-hander Mitch Keller was excited to learn that fans would be permitted to attend games at PNC Park this season. Keller noticed the fans in the seats while warming up and said it seemed “kind of weird” compared to last year but got his adrenaline pumping.

“That’s great to hear,” Keller said. “I don’t know how many people are here in Dunedin, but just to hear the oohs and ahh, the emotion from the crowd, is huge. It’s what we feed off of. Definitely plays a home-field advantage, no matter how many fans you have in the stands or where you’re at. Having people there, definitely helps you play the game a little bit more. It just brings a little extra level of intensity to everybody, too. That’s awesome to hear.”

Wolf said mask wearing, social distancing and hand hygiene must be enforced, and the maximum occupancy is permitted only if attendees and workers can keep 6 feet of physical distance between them.