{"id":228583,"date":"2026-06-26T07:33:18","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:33:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/228583\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T07:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T07:33:18","slug":"neal-shipley-throws-out-the-first-pitch-before-pirates-mariners-game-at-pnc-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/228583\/","title":{"rendered":"Neal Shipley throws out the first pitch before Pirates-Mariners game at PNC Park"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neal Shipley was back in Pittsburgh on Thursday as he was invited to throw out the first pitch before the Pirates game against the Mariners at PNC Park.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shipley, who went to high school at Pittsburgh Central Catholic<\/a> and grew up in Mt. Lebanon<\/a>, has become a household name in the professional golf world, recently competing in and making the cut<\/a> at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills<\/a> in New York last weekend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It wasn’t the first time Shipley was invited to throw out a first pitch<\/a> as he received the same honor in Detroit last year before making his PGA Tour debut<\/a> at the Rocket Classic<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Shipley took the mound at PNC Park on Thursday afternoon, firing the pitch to home plate before the Pirates took the field, beating the Mariners 5-1.<\/a><\/p>\n

Pro golfer and Pittsburgh native Neal Shipley threw out our first pitch today! pic.twitter.com\/fDDoPr8rlu<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Shipley burst onto the golf scene in 2024 when he became the first player since 2019<\/a> to earn low amateur honors at both the U.S. Open<\/a> and the Masters in the same year.<\/p>\n

Since then, Shipley has turned professional and competed in dozens of PGA Tour events, making the cut in 14 of the 27 events<\/a> he has teed it up in.<\/p>\n

Shipley spoke with MLB.com’s Jason Mackey<\/a> about his big day at PNC Park and said that he still enjoys keeping score at games at the ballpark by hand with his dad.<\/p>\n

“When you keep a scorecard, it keeps you present in the moment,” Shipley said. “You have to watch the game to be able to do it.”<\/p>\n

\"Seattle<\/p>\n

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JUNE 25: Professional Golfer Neal Shipley looks on from the dugout before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Seattle Mariners at PNC Park on June 25, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.<\/p>\n

Justin Berl \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

Shipley said the 2013 NL Wild Card Game at PNC Park was the best sporting event he’s ever seen and that even though he’s been to Michigan-Ohio State games and played in the Masters at Augusta National, nothing will ever replace PNC Park for him.<\/p>\n

“That’s real solid.”<\/p>\n

A video posted by the Pirates<\/a> on Thursday night showed Shipley breaking down and analyzing the golf swings of players on the team.<\/p>\n

“That’s the best by far,” Shipley said of the swing from Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski. “This guy definitely played high school golf. Put that in a textbook. That is awesome.”<\/p>\n

We asked pro golfer Neal Shipley to analyze some of our players’ swings…here’s how it went \ud83c\udfcc\ufe0f\u200d\u2642\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/zYxJEPTl8I<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Fellow Pirates pitcher Jared Jones didn’t get as good of a review from Shipley, however.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“We’ve gotta widen that stance out,” Shipley said. “He’s trying to hit a wedge shot and he’s got a driver in his hand.”<\/p>\n

Shipley joked that the Pirates would make a solid golf team after watching the videos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

In:<\/p>\n