Pirates fans fuel cone heist craze, parking companies suffer

A peculiar celebration is sweeping PNC Park: the brazen pilfering of traffic cones. What began as a playful quirk among Pittsburgh Pirates fans has escalated into a full-blown theft spree, leaving parking companies scrambling to replace their inventory and local authorities issuing stern warnings.

The origin of 'hoist the cone' remains shrouded in mystery

The phenomenon, dubbed “hoist the cone,” involves fans snatching traffic cones and brandishing them aloft during moments of excitement—typically after a home run. The exact genesis of the phrase is unclear, although a popular, albeit disputed, theory suggests a printing error at the Pirates store, where an intended “raise the colors” T-shirt mistakenly read “cone.” Store personnel, however, are playing coy, allowing the speculation to continue.

The cost of this festive larceny is considerable. ABM Parking Services, which manages parking around the stadium, reported the loss of 25 cones on opening day alone. “I don't think anybody should be stealing anything at any time for whatever reason,” stated Cynthia Yothers, a concerned Pirates fan. While the enthusiasm is palpable, the legal ramifications are very real. Stealing a traffic cone carries a fine starting at $50, plus the expense of replacement, a detail the borough of Jefferson Hills was quick to remind fans via social media.

Kyler Dietrich, attending a game with his family, admitted to the allure of the trend. “I’m not going to encourage it, but I honestly would do it if there was a cone laying around,” he confessed. The impulse, it seems, is a potent mix of fandom and opportunistic mischief. But the increasing frequency of thefts raises concerns about potential safety hazards and the financial burden on local businesses.

The situation highlights a curious intersection of sporting enthusiasm and petty crime, one that compels a question: how far will fans go to celebrate a victory?