Sights From Solar Eclipse at PNC Park

I am no meteorologist. I’m just a simple ball scribe.

But I had to switch hats briefly on Monday afternoon for the solar eclipse that darkened the sky while on the field during batting practice at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

Players, coaches and staff from both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers were on the field to soak in the phenomenon. Mostly everyone had the necessary eyewear.

I did not, so I didn’t get a direct look at what was transpiring. Nonetheless, it was still pretty cool to see light dim to an early-dusk stage and feel the temperature cool.

Oneil Cruz was on the field taking grounders when he paused to take a long look at the moon as it started to pass in front of the sun.

Oneil Cruz taking a long look at the looming eclipse. Don’t be alarmed, has the necessary eyewear. pic.twitter.com/t4nhJYCToY

— Danny Demilio (@Demilio22) April 8, 2024

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington was able to escape from his office on Federal Street. to join the unofficial viewing party on the field. Manager Derek Shelton looked through his glasses from a few different vantage points.

Most players also wanted to take a peak, including Marco Gonzales, Jared Jones and Jack Suwinski, who were sitting together in the Pirates’ dugout on the third-base line.

Derek Shelton, Ben Cherington, Marco Gonzales, Jared Jones and Jack Suwinski all soak in the solar eclipse. pic.twitter.com/BMsWeOcwEO

— Danny Demilio (@Demilio22) April 8, 2024

Jones was among those who didn’t seem as impressed with the eclipse as others, like Shelton. The Pirates’ manager said he felt like Bill Nye the Science Guy.

“I went into it not thinking much about it, but it was pretty cool once I put the glasses on,” Shelton said. “It was pretty neat to see, and I know it happens only once over 25 years or whatever. My oldest (child) went to Texas with some people and watched it. And he sent me a video of the full eclipse, which was pretty weird to see because the whole screen went black. So, it was cool.”