Diocese says hot dogs benched for Catholics on Pirates’ home opener
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Baseball and hot dogs go together like peanuts and Cracker Jack — except when it comes to Good Friday.
Catholics attending the Pirates’ home opener on Friday — one of the holiest days of the year for Catholics — still must abstain from eating meat, according to the Pittsburgh Diocese. Good Friday is the day Catholics observe the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
In other words, no dispensation is being offered like the one extended by the diocese on Friday, March 17 — St. Patrick’s Day.
“For Catholics, Good Friday is unlike any other Friday of the year,” the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh said in a prepared statement. “Fasting and abstinence is part of what we practice communally that day.
“We wish the Pirates well, and we will be rooting for them with all of Pittsburgh. But we also need to hold to the priority importance of Good Friday. It is an essential part of the most sacred time of year for all Christians. Nothing should take precedence.”
A spokesman for the Greensburg Diocese also said there will be no dispensation.
The Pirates, to their credit, already had recognized the potential issue and will be offering a fried fish sandwich special on the game-day menu in several sections, said Brian Hediger, general manager of PNC Park for Aramark Sports & Entertainment.
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Pirates president Travis Williams said when the team officials realized that the home opener fell on Good Friday, he and his team wanted to ensure all fans were accommodated.
“I can’t remember ever opening on Good Friday,” Williams said. “But this is how the schedule fell this year.”
There will be other meatless options. The Pirates announced a partnership with Caliente Pizza & Draft House, a locally owned pizza restaurant, that will serve plain Sicilian and cheese pizza slices. Look for those in Sections 114, 123, 305 and 318.
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Nachos, soft pretzels, ice cream and french fries also are on the menu. A new selection this season is fried cheese curds with sweet pickles and dill ranch.
The first pitch is at 4:12 p.m.
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• PNC Park enhancements include new scoreboard, faster entry and new foods