Baseball photos, equipment, lectures, authors, ex-players and more will be part of the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center during All-Star week.

More Coverage: Security lineup includes 54 teams All-Star Notebook: Vote close on final all-stars Strip clubs cover all the bases for anticipated All-Star biz All-Star Moments: July 15, 2003, 74th Game at U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago

With the help of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, the history center will feature exhibits and events starting Friday that relate to the baseball All-Star Game to be played at PNC Park July 11.

Among special features are appearances by David Maraniss, the author of a new biography of Roberto Clemente, and by Les Banos, the former Pirates team photographer whose collection of black-and-white photos of Clemente is on display the rest of the year. Actor Greg Kinney will do impersonations of Clemente, Willie Stargell and Jackie Robinson over several days, while fellow actor Scott Nunnally will portray Josh Gibson.

The history center in the Strip District hopes to enjoy a spillover of visitors from the baseball FanFest activities taking place nearby at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. Anyone with a FanFest ticket from July 7-11 will get a free admission to the history center for each one they purchase, and anyone visiting the center will receive a $5 discount coupon to attend FanFest.

"We certainly hope baseball fever will spread throughout the city," said Heinz center spokesman Ned Schano. "They'll obviously get great crowds at FanFest, and we're hoping to get great crowds as well. It should be fun, whether for diehard baseball fans or casual fans."

Hands-on displays presented by the Baseball Hall of Fame on the center's first floor each day will give visitors a close-up view of the history and making of baseball bats, balls, uniforms and other equipment.

Among the other activities scheduled:

Friday -- On Forbes Field Day, the center will feature special photographs and staff members discussing the history of the Oakland ballpark. The focus is a tie-in to special ceremonies starting at 3 p.m. at the site of Forbes Field's still-standing wall, including dedication of a state historic marker.

Saturday -- Youths wearing their team baseball or softball uniforms will be admitted free. From noon to 2 p.m., Mr. Banos will sign prints of his Clemente photos, and Greg Spalding, author of "The Classiest Team Baseball Ever Knew," will discuss the 1972 Pirates.

Sunday -- Various baseball mascots will circulate throughout the building during the day, and Pittsburgh sports author Jim O'Brien will sign copies of his books.

Monday -- Former players Hubert Simmions, James Tillman, Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, Wallace "Bucky" Williams and Theodore Toles are among those expected to take part in a discussion of the Negro Leagues from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mr. Banos will sign prints from noon to 2. From 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., a discussion of Clemente and the game's Latin influence will feature Mr. Maraniss, Tim Weldon and Rob Ruck.

Tuesday -- Mr. Banos will sign prints from noon to 2, and Jonah Winter, whose book "Robert Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates" is geared toward young readers, will be available throughout the day to discuss the legendary Pirate.