PITTSBURGH -- The Pirates released their 2017 promotional schedule on Wednesday, highlighted by a depiction of a memorable moment that took place not on the field, but in the broadcast booth.
Pittsburgh's promotions and events schedule includes a "Bob Walk Chair-Tip Bobblechair," set to be given away on May 20. The item was inspired by the moment on June 29 when Walk, the former Pirates pitcher and current color commentator, tumbled backward out of his seat in the Bucs' booth. The accident was aired on ROOT Sports' telecast and went viral online.
The promo schedule includes 38 dates at PNC Park featuring other collectible bobbleheads, fireworks nights and Sunday "Kids Days." There will be nine "Free Shirt Saturdays," a change from previous years, with T-shirts highlighting players such as Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco and Josh Bell.
Among the other promotional items: a Francisco Cervelli "That's Amore" singing bobblehead (April 8), a Jordy Mercer bobblehead (June 17), a Gregory Polanco "El Coffee" bobblehead (Aug. 19) and two postgame "FanJam" concerts (May 26 and Aug. 4).
The Pirates also set tentative first-pitch times for all 2017 home games. The home opener on April 7 against the Braves is set to begin at 1:05 p.m. ET. All start times and promotional dates are listed on pirates.com/schedule.