There are plenty of indications that spring has arrived in Pittsburgh, including the recent warm temperatures. But let’s face it, spring is really just a rumor until the Pirates return to PNC Park and the fans with them.

It’s bad enough having to wait through one winter to get back to baseball, as is usually the case, but last year the fans waited through winter, spring and part of a summer. Then, when the Pirates finally started playing in late July. The fans weren’t allowed inside.

Not since Sept. 29, 2019, have the Pirates heard cheers that weren’t prerecorded and played over the public address system.

But after an unprecedented year-and-a half wait, the fans are ready to return. Though Pennsylvania’s covid conditions will limit attendance to roughly 8,500 when the Pirates host the Cubs today at 1:35 p.m., there are likely more people than that congregating on the North Shore, soaking in an atmosphere that hasn’t existed for 555 days.

Play ball!

It’s Opening Day!! Let’s Go Bucs! pic.twitter.com/fERr5pfRI7

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

Tribune-Review reporters JoAnne Klimovich Harrop and Paul Guggenheimer will provide fan updates leading up to and during the game. Follow along here.

• • •

Marianne with the cookies makes it inside

She had $15 and a bag of homemade chocolate cookies.

She got a ticket.

We told you about Marianne Sovik from Bethel Park. She was looking for a ticket earlier today.

She scored with the $15 and the cookies.

Here she is along the third base line of PNC Park.

Marianne Sovik was looking for one ticket to the Pirates home opener and she GOT IT! pic.twitter.com/DuC74HvNCN

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

There’s the pitch

The first pitch is in.

Play ball! First pitch on Opening Day 2021.. Pirates and Cubs pic.twitter.com/EkPMLW4SSn

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

Ready for the first pitch. Look at that view

It’s almost time for the first pitch... Opening Day at PNC Park pic.twitter.com/rzzu14Kme0

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

Here is a video from the Tribune-Review’s Nate Smallwood

• • •

The Saxophone Man is back on the Clemente Bridge

The Sax man is back.

We missed him. He missed us.

Listen to Reggie Howze play us a song.

The famous Sax Man, Reggie Howze, is back on the Clemente Bridge serenading fans. pic.twitter.com/DUqdJlo7uM

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

There’s the parrot!

It’s real now.

The Pirate Parrot wants everybody to be safe on Opening Day pic.twitter.com/zWjRGci68g

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

And pierogies.

So real now.

Pierogies!!! At PNC Park pic.twitter.com/qN0ddY9kwS

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

She’ll trade cookies for a ticket

Marianne Sovik, 76, Bethel Park, is looking for a ticket to today’s game. She has a budget. $15. And a bag of homemade chocolate cookies. Sounds fair enough.

If that doesn’t work out: “I’m just excited coming down and being part of the Pirates again,” she said.

Marianne Sovik, 76, Bethel Park, is looking for one ticket to today's home opener. pic.twitter.com/hVMZwBzN39

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

Love and split loyalties

She’s a Chicago native. He’s from Pittsburgh. They are happy in love. Cubs fan and former Wrigleyville Bleacher Bum JoAnn Guilfoil, who now lives in Imperial, and Pirates fan Bob Raspet of South Park know how to coexist.

“We have no differences,” Raspet said.

Guilfoil has taken a shine to the Pirates when they’re not playing the Cubs.

“I do look good in black and gold, though,” she said, while adding “Cubs all the way.”

A mixed couple at the home opener...Cubs fan and former Wrigleyville Bleacher Bum JoAnn Guilfoil of Imperial and Pirates fan Bob Raspet of South Park are managing to get along despite split loyalties. pic.twitter.com/vefx1XUCKh

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

5 from Charleroi

This group had their own version of a Terrible Towel. You’ll have to watch Paul’s video to see.

From left to right 20 somethings from Charleroi, Corey Stefan, Ethan Piot, Mark McFeely, Olivia Mancini and Demi Levandowski hangin' in the parking lot. pic.twitter.com/slqG92umMk

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

Beer here

The crowd appears to be picking up. JoAnne shows us the beer line in this photo.

The line for beer outside PNC Park ? pic.twitter.com/hQ0mLikeaj

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

A different Grilli

Chris Grilli of Bethel Park and his buddy Mark Alterici, 58, of Charleroi believe bad baseball is better than no baseball. They don’t miss many home openers.

Today seemed a little more special. And they’re thrilled with the weather.

Alterici has attended 49 straight home openers. He counts 2020 as well. He watched from the bridge.

“We have low expectations for the team, but it’s just a couple of friends coming to hang out and enjoy the day,” he said.

See what else they had to say.

Chris Grilli,55, Bethel Park and Mark Alterici,58, Charleroi, a couple of veteran Pirates fans getting ready for the home opener. pic.twitter.com/rOi9rGXq0v

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

A seat under Clemente

A few hours before the first pitch, William McGee of Bethel Park took a seat under the statue of his favorite Pirate, Roberto Clemente. McGee has Clemente’s 1971 baseball card.

A friend had given him a ticket for today’s game. The feeling of semi-normalcy wasn’t lost on McGee

“I’m really excited for the season, especially because we’ve had to go through all of this coronavirus crap,” he said.

William McGee of Bethel Park poses in front of the Roberto Clemente statue on Opening Day... he has a 1971 Clemente baseball card pic.twitter.com/FYWkjBPaaj

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

No school today

Dennis Blucas, 39, of Windber let his 9-year-old son Owen skip school for the opener. And why not?

“We’re super excited for today,” Dennis said. “We’re pretty pumped to go.”

Son and father 9-yr. old Owen and 39-yr. old Dennis Blucas of Windber express their excitement about going to the Pirates opener. pic.twitter.com/CiPyg17sCL

— Paul Guggenheimer (@PGuggenheimer) April 8, 2021

• • •

‘No matter what’

Rick Sporcic, 35, Brackenridge waited for gates to open for about an hour outside of PNC Park’s center field entrance. He wanted to be among the first fans to enter.

A season ticket holder, Sporcic was happy to be back. He clutched a blue baseball glove with hopes of snagging a foul ball.

“I really missed this,” he said. “I took the day off. I was gonna be here no matter what.”

Rick Sporcic of Brackenridge has been waiting an hour to get into PNC Park... said “I missed being here.” pic.twitter.com/P2Z9DP7uoa

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

Help this fan get inside

John Pithers of Butler has been to 46 Pirates home openers. He needs a ticket for his 47th. He and his wife were having trouble Thursday morning, because the Pirates are selling tickets in pods of two or four. Someone wanted to sell him four tickets.

“If I find another couple, we can buy the four,” he said.

John Pithers from Butler has been to the past 46 Pirates home openers...he’s looking for tickets for himself and his wife pic.twitter.com/1BibCnrXvY

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

Update! He got tickets

Thank you Pittsburgh... John and D from Butler got their tickets... his streak continues.. 47 Pirates Home Openers!!! pic.twitter.com/vFZ8Uuqs6G

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

Courtesy of John and D Pithers John (right) and D Pithers of Butler inside PNC Park for Opening Day on April 8.  

• • •

Cubs fans arrive early

JoAnne caught up with a few Cubs fans from Southwestern Michigan. This was their first visit to Pittsburgh.

“It’s really weird, because there’s not a lot of people walking around the ballpark,” Eric Schlutt said. “The ballpark looks amazing.”

Wait until they see the view from their their seats.

Cubs fans from Michigan...Eric and Kristy Schlutt and their children are attending Opening Day... bought tickets on Stubhub pic.twitter.com/VKRzu88ryz

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

• • •

Pretty quiet in the a.m.

Covid restrictions prohibit PNC Park from filing to capacity. About three hours before the game, the buzz was limited around the ballpark. This video captures the silence.

Normally on Opening Day the Clemente Bridge would be full... not today with limited fans allowed in the park pic.twitter.com/gfFnFGM6MQ

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

No tickets being sold for today’s Pirates home opener... covid-19 capacity restrictions limit number of fans in the stadium ? pic.twitter.com/vvfweBYXb5

— JoAnne Harrop (@joannescoop) April 8, 2021

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