…you know if everything was normal this year Steelers training camp which opens on Tuesday of this week would mark the beginning of the end of the Pirate season. But with the late start to the baseball season which has also been shortened the Buc’s are still contenders. The season is only 60 games this year plus 16 teams have a chance to make the playoffs which would mean the Pirates have a chance to see some post season action. Yeah they struggled against the cards over the weekend but they managed to at least salvage 1 in their 3 game series against St. Louis. Had it come at the beginning of a 162 game season it wouldn’t mean much except that it’s only a 60 game season and it’s now down to just 57 games. So the old phrase of “don’t worry, it’s early “just might not apply this year. They’re not mathematical eliminated and wont be come Tuesday when the Steelers report to camp but the clock is ticking a little faster this season and that dramatic shift to what’s happening at Steelers training camp will start to begin. Now maybe the fact that for the first time in decade’s fans won’t be able to migrate to Latrobe to watch the team practice will help keep some of the attention on the Buc’s but something else is going to happen just 4 days after the Steelers open camp that might dim the spotlight on the Buc’s and the Steelers. Playoff hockey! The Pens begin a 5 game series with Montreal in Toronto on Saturday Aug. 1st. So yeah, Pittsburgh sports are going to start to become real interesting in the next few days as everyone tries to adjust and make the best of the new normal which also means the Pirate season won’t end once the Steelers open training camp this year. Now as far as the crowd noise goes with no one in the stands , I like I but I think they should fine a recording of Tommy the Beer vender and pump in his whistling every now and then when the play home games. It was missing during the exhibition games against Cleveland and I think it’s the only thing missing from the broadcast which may be fake still makes it sound real. I like it. Oh and congratulations to Pirate manager Derek Shelton on his first big league win. Let’s Go Buc’s!