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What's new at PNC Park this year? Inside the ballpark ahead of Pirates home opener

Several of the improvements are aimed at getting fans their favorite treats and gear faster

What's new at PNC Park this year? Inside the ballpark ahead of Pirates home opener

Several of the improvements are aimed at getting fans their favorite treats and gear faster

RUNDOWN OF WHAT’S NEW THIS SEASON. WE’RE SHOWING YOU WHAT’S NEW AT PNC PARK THIS YEAR AHEAD OF OPENING DAY ON FRIDAY. AND IT ALL STARTS RIGHT AS YOU WALK IN THE GATE, MAKING IT FASTER AND EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO GET IN WITHOUT SACRIFICING ANY OF THE SAFETY FEATURES THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY EXPECT. THAT’S THE GOAL OF THESE NEW SECURITY SCREENING CENTERS AT PNC PARK. THEY’VE PARTNERED WITH EVOLVE, THE COMPANY’S SENSORS USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO PICK UP ON ITEMS THAT SHOULDN’T BE BROUGHT INSIDE THE PARK. IT ALLOWS FANS TO WALK THROUGH WITHOUT ALWAYS STOPPING OR HAVING TO OPEN THEIR BAGS. AND SPEAKING OF BAGS, THAT IMPROVEMENT ALLOWS FOR A NEW BAG POLICY AT THE PARK THIS YEAR. THEY’RE ALLOWING SOFT SIDED BAGS THAT ARE 16 BY 16 BY EIGHT OR SMALLER. AND WE WANT OUR FANS TO KNOW THAT WHEN THEY HAVE CONCERNS OR THEY HAVE QUESTIONS OR THEY JUST WANT TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE HEARD THEM. NUMBER TWO, WE UNDERSTAND THAT THAT BALLPARKS AND BASEBALL EVOLVE. AND THE WAY PEOPLE DIGEST BASEBALL, THE WAY THEY LIKE TO INTERACT WITH BALLPARKS. THE CHANGES ALSO MEAN YOU’LL BE ABLE TO GET YOUR FAVORITE TREATS MORE QUICKLY. THEY’VE EXPANDED SELF-SERVE BEER AND DRINK KIOSKS THAT WILL MAKE THE MAIN CONCOURSE FLOW BETTER AND GET FANS TO SEATS. AND THERE’S THIS. THE NEW LARGER SCOREBOARD. IT’LL ALLOW FANS TO FOLLOW THE GAME BETTER. FIRST PITCH IS THIS FRIDAY AT 412 HERE AT PNC PARK. WHEN THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX COME TO TOWN, REPORTING FROM PNC PARK, TOM GARRIS, PITTSBURGH’S ACTION NEWS 4. ALL RIGHT. IT’S ALMOST TIME. AND HERE’S A LOOK AT SOME NEW FOOD OPTIONS THIS SEASON. AND AT PNC PARK, THIS IS THE ALL STAR BURGER MADE OF BEEF FROM JUBILEE HILLTOP RANCH AND OSTERBERG BEDFORD COUNTY ONLY. IT’S TOPPED WITH A SIGNATURE SAUCE, CARAMELIZED ONIONS, AND SERVED WITH FRIES. NOW, AS WE TOLD YOU YESTERDAY AT 5:00, PNC PARK IS NOW ADDING CALIENTE PIZZA TO THE MENU. IT’S GOING TO FEATURE THE AWARD WINNING SICILIAN PEP
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What's new at PNC Park this year? Inside the ballpark ahead of Pirates home opener

Several of the improvements are aimed at getting fans their favorite treats and gear faster

Just days ahead of the Pirates' home opener, we're getting an inside look at what's new for PNC Park for the 2023 season.The team has made a number of improvements to the ballpark, all aimed at enhancing the fan experience.Better flowMany of the enhancements are aimed at getting fans the treats and gear they want more quickly.First, when walking into the gate, you'll notice new sensors scanning fans as they walk in. The team has partnered with Evolv, which will also soon screen fans at Acrisure Stadium.The company's sensors use artificial intelligence to detect dangerous items from everyday items people bring in their bags. They'll improve the speed at which fans can enter the stadium, and allow PNC Park to return to its bag policy from years past.Once again, fans will be able to bring in bags smaller than 16 by 16 by 8 inches.In the main concourse, there will be expanded self-serve beer and drink kiosks placed in locations that won't disrupt foot traffic."Being able to do self-checkout gets them through quickly, back to their seats, and keeps them off the concourse," said team president Travis Williams. "Making sure that fan experience is much, much improved."New scoreboard and video elementsThe scoreboard in left field has been replaced for the first time since 2006. Williams said a larger screen, in addition to other new video elements around the stadium, will allow fans to follow game action better."When we sit at home, we always have our iPhones with us — our second screen experience — looking for stats, looking for more information about the players," he said. "We're going to be able to bring that into the ballpark now."The home opener is set for Friday, April 7 against the Chicago White Sox. Hungry? There's new food optionsAn All-Star burger made of beef from Jubilee Hilltop Ranch in Osterburg, Bedford County, and topped with a signature sauce, caramelized onions and fries.PNC Park is also adding Caliente Pizza. The menu will feature Sicilian, pepperoni and cheese pizza slices.

Just days ahead of the Pirates' home opener, we're getting an inside look at what's new for PNC Park for the 2023 season.

The team has made a number of improvements to the ballpark, all aimed at enhancing the fan experience.

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Better flow

Many of the enhancements are aimed at getting fans the treats and gear they want more quickly.

First, when walking into the gate, you'll notice new sensors scanning fans as they walk in. The team has partnered with Evolv, which will also soon screen fans at Acrisure Stadium.

The company's sensors use artificial intelligence to detect dangerous items from everyday items people bring in their bags. They'll improve the speed at which fans can enter the stadium, and allow PNC Park to return to its bag policy from years past.

Once again, fans will be able to bring in bags smaller than 16 by 16 by 8 inches.

In the main concourse, there will be expanded self-serve beer and drink kiosks placed in locations that won't disrupt foot traffic.

"Being able to do self-checkout gets them through quickly, back to their seats, and keeps them off the concourse," said team president Travis Williams. "Making sure that fan experience is much, much improved."

New scoreboard and video elements

The scoreboard in left field has been replaced for the first time since 2006. Williams said a larger screen, in addition to other new video elements around the stadium, will allow fans to follow game action better.

"When we sit at home, we always have our iPhones with us — our second screen experience — looking for stats, looking for more information about the players," he said. "We're going to be able to bring that into the ballpark now."

The home opener is set for Friday, April 7 against the Chicago White Sox.

Hungry? There's new food options

An All-Star burger made of beef from Jubilee Hilltop Ranch in Osterburg, Bedford County, and topped with a signature sauce, caramelized onions and fries.

PNC Park is also adding Caliente Pizza. The menu will feature Sicilian, pepperoni and cheese pizza slices.

PNC cheese curds
Hearst Owned
Pirates Tenders
Hearst Owned