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Watching batting practice gives fans an opportunity to see players up close and personal. Some players use this time to sign autographs and interact with fans. But what about Pittsburgh Pirates games at PNC Park? Can you watch batting practice at PNC Park?
Yes, you can watch batting practice at PNC Park, although it’s worth noting that batting practice begins prior to the stadium gates opening, so fans will only be able to see part of batting practice. The official time that Pittsburgh Pirates batting practice is held can change, but in general, you can expect batting practice to begin roughly two and a half hours before game time. Typically, batting practice lasts 45-50 minutes per team.
The Pirates will take batting practice first, since they are the home team. After that, the visiting team will take their batting practice. The length of batting practice can fluctuate day-to-day, but most teams stick to normal routines as much as possible.
PNC Park gates open 90 minutes prior to game time for Friday and weekend games, but only an hour during the week, but those who are member of the Home Plate Club can get into games 2 hours before first pitch. Because of this, when most fans enter the stadium, Pirates batting practice will likely already be underway, or near conclusion depending on the start time. The road team will begin batting practice after the Pirates are finished.
Although batting practice is usually held, it is worth noting that there can be occasional exceptions due to weather or other circumstances. Batting practice time is at the manager’s discretion, but as I mentioned earlier, most teams stick to normal routines as much as possible.
Pittsburgh Pirates Batting Practice Time
Can You Watch Batting Practice at Chase Field?
Yes, you can watch batting practice at PNC Park. As we discussed above, the official time that Pittsburgh Pirates batting practice is held can change, but in general, you can expect batting practice to begin roughly 2 to 2.5 hours before game time.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will take batting practice first, since they are the home team. After that, the visiting team will take their batting practice. The length of batting practice can fluctuate day-to-day, but batting practice usually lasts 45-50 minutes per team.
PNC Park gates open 90 minutes prior to game time for most fans for Friday and weekend games and 1 hour for all other games and 2 hours for Home Plate Club members (source). Because of this, when most fans enter the stadium, Pirates batting practice may already be underway, or near conclusion depending on start time. The road team will begin batting practice after the Pirates are finished.
The main takeaway is that even though, yes, fans are allowed to enter the stadium early to watch batting practice at PNC Park, because the gates only open 90 minutes prior to first pitch for most fans, the Pirates will often be underway and some Pirates players may already be done. The road team will then take batting practice after the Pirates.
What Time do Gates Open for Batting Practice?
As we discussed above, PNC Park gates open 90 minutes prior to game time for Friday and weekend games and 1 hour for other games, and 2 hours for Home Plate Club Members (source). It is worth noting that gate times are always subject to change, but most teams stick to normal gate times as much as possible.
After the Pirates complete their portion of batting practice, the road team will take the field and hold batting practice. For more information on stadium gates, visit our PNC Park Gate & Parking Guide.
Do You Need a Ticket for Batting Practice?
You will, of course, need a game ticket to be able to enter PNC Park and watch batting practice, but you don’t need an additional ticket to be able to watch batting practice.
If you need tickets for an upcoming Pittsburgh Pirates game, you can read more by visiting our article that discusses buying tickets at PNC Park. If you are looking for more options to get tickets, check out our article for the best places to buy Pirates tickets.
Other Things to do Besides Watching Batting Practice at PNC Park
When heading to the game, you may want to go early or hang out in Pittsburgh after the game. Here are a few popular attractions near PNC Park that we think you might enjoy.
The Andy Warhol Museum Houses a comprehensive selection of Warhol’s works and materials. For those of you who don’t know, Andy Warhol was a successful magazine and ad illustrator who became a leading artist of the 1960s Pop art movements (source). Located at 117 Sandusky Street, the museum is about a 4 minute walk from PNC Park east on W. General Robinson Street.
Allegheny Landing is a riverfront park that stretches out between PNC Park and the Allegheny River. This park is a lovely area with trails and activities for visitors who want a bit of time outdoors on game days. You can hike or bike around the beautiful park or even catch a boat ride. Also, there are many fine restaurants not too far away if you want to grab a bite to eat.
The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is an interactive, hands-on experience for kids of all ages. Rotating exhibits and workshops complement the ongoing fun spaces that encourage learning. Situated at West Commons and Ridge Avenue, it is open Wednesday through Sundays 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. If you have small kids, this is a great place to go and engage their minds.
Also, going to a game isn’t complete without buying a jersey from your local team. If you are wanting to get a jersey of you favorite current or past Pirates player, I would encourage you to check out our Authentic Pirates Jersey article.
Pittsburgh Pirates Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with PNC Park, the Pittsburgh Pirates, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the Pittsburgh Pirates staff. Contact information is below:
- PNC Park – View Stadium Information
- Pittsburgh Pirates – View Contact Information
- PNC Park Parking Permit