FAMILIES, THEY’RE SOAKING IN EVERY SECOND. LET’S GO. GET THERE. IT’S JUST A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. BEAUTIFUL BALLPARK. I MEAN, IT’S JUST I CAN’T IT’S IT’S AWESOME MAN. IT’S A DREAM SOME KIDS HAVE HAD AT ONE POINT IN THEIR LIVES PLAYING AT A MAJOR LEAGUE BALLPARK. AND FOR EIGHT TEAMS MADE UP OF 14 AND 15 YEAR OLDS, THAT DREAM BECAME A REALITY THIS MORNING. I THOUGHT THE FIELD WAS A LOT BIGGER, BUT I MEAN, IT LOOKS LIKE A HIGH SCHOOL FIELD, HONESTLY. SO A LITTLE SCARED IN THAT HOT CORNER AT THIRD BASE. NOT GOING TO LIE. THIS IS THE FIRST SET OF GAMES BIG LEAGUE DREAM DAY HAS HOSTED AT PNC PARK. ORGANIZERS TEAMING UP WITH THE PIRATES TO BRING THE BIG LEAGUE ATMOSPHERE TO LIFE. IT’S PRETTY COOL TO SEE THE LOOK ON THEIR FACES JUST TO, YOU KNOW, REALIZE DURING A BALLPARK LIKE PNC PARK, ARGUABLY THE BEST ONE IN THE NATION. SO IT’S IT’S AN AWESOME, AWESOME EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYBODY GAME. I LOVE BASEBALL, I’VE COACHED IT. AND I HOPE THE PLAYERS REALLY LIVE THIS DAY TO THE FULLEST. EVERY HIT OUT AND CATCH HAD THE FEELING OF A BIG LEAGUE GAME FOR FATHER AND SON. MARK AND LUCAS JANEIRO. IT’S A MOMENT THEY’LL CHERISH AND HOPE. IT’S JUST THE BEGINNING. HOPEFULLY GETS MOTIVATED, WANTS TO WORK HARDER AND GET AFTER IT. AND, YOU KNOW, KEEP WORKING. I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS JUST AWESOME TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE AND PLAY WHERE PEOPLE LIKE PAUL SKENES HAVE PLAYED. IT’S JUST KIND OF AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY. NOW. AS FOR WHAT’S NEXT, OFFICIALS WITH THE PIRATES AND BIG LEAGUE DREAM DAY SAY THEY WANT TO ADD MORE TEAMS TO MAKE THIS FEEL AS BIG AS THE MOMENT. DOES.
Youth baseball players get opportunity to play at PNC Park in Pittsburgh
It was Big League Dream Day at the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates
Updated: 12:47 PM EDT Jun 17, 2025
It’s a dream some kids have had at one point in their lives — playing at a major league ballpark.For eight teams made up of 14- and 15-year-old players, that dream became a reality Tuesday. “Just a great opportunity. Beautiful ballpark. It’s awesome, man,” Evan Smirniw said. It was the first set of games hosted at PNC Park by Big League Dream Day, the organization teaming up with the Pittsburgh Pirates to bring the big league atmosphere to life. “I love baseball, I’ve coached it, and I hope the players really live this day to the fullest,” said Big League Dream Day administrator Todd Peterson.”It’s pretty cool to see the look on their faces, just realize they’re in a ballpark like PNC Park, arguably the best one in the nation. So it’s an awesome, awesome experience for everybody,” said Matt Privette, account executive with the Pirates.Some players said they felt that difference right away but soon realized it was just another opportunity on the diamond.”I thought the field was a lot bigger, but I mean, it looks like a high school field, honestly. So, a little scared in that hot corner at third base, not going to lie,” Smirniw said.For father and son Marc and Lucas Genareo, it’s a moment they said they will cherish, and they hope it’s just the beginning.”Hopefully gets motivated, wants to work harder, get after it and keep working,” Marc Genareo said. “I thought it was just awesome to be able to have the opportunity to come here and play where people like Paul Skenes have played. It’s just kind of an awesome opportunity,” Lucas Genareo said.Privette and Peterson believe Tuesday was just the beginning and hope to add more teams in the future.
PITTSBURGH —
It’s a dream some kids have had at one point in their lives — playing at a major league ballpark.
For eight teams made up of 14- and 15-year-old players, that dream became a reality Tuesday.
“Just a great opportunity. Beautiful ballpark. It’s awesome, man,” Evan Smirniw said.
It was the first set of games hosted at PNC Park by Big League Dream Day, the organization teaming up with the Pittsburgh Pirates to bring the big league atmosphere to life.
“I love baseball, I’ve coached it, and I hope the players really live this day to the fullest,” said Big League Dream Day administrator Todd Peterson.
“It’s pretty cool to see the look on their faces, just realize they’re in a ballpark like PNC Park, arguably the best one in the nation. So it’s an awesome, awesome experience for everybody,” said Matt Privette, account executive with the Pirates.
Some players said they felt that difference right away but soon realized it was just another opportunity on the diamond.
“I thought the field was a lot bigger, but I mean, it looks like a high school field, honestly. So, a little scared in that hot corner at third base, not going to lie,” Smirniw said.
For father and son Marc and Lucas Genareo, it’s a moment they said they will cherish, and they hope it’s just the beginning.
“Hopefully gets motivated, wants to work harder, get after it and keep working,” Marc Genareo said.
“I thought it was just awesome to be able to have the opportunity to come here and play where people like Paul Skenes have played. It’s just kind of an awesome opportunity,” Lucas Genareo said.
Privette and Peterson believe Tuesday was just the beginning and hope to add more teams in the future.