Heightened security will be as much a part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Game and related activities in Pittsburgh as balls, bats and gloves, but if the experience in Houston is any indication, fans will hardly notice.

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Houston police officials said that of the three high-profile events the city has hosted recently -- the NBA All-Star Game in February, and the MLB All-Star Game and Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004 -- baseball's celebration was, by far, the easiest to secure and the most problem-free.

"It's a great time. It's good for the city, good for the fans, good for Major League Baseball," Houston police Assistant Chief George Buenik said. "There were no major problems. It's really a family-oriented event, a real mellow crowd."

The type of crowd is key, Chief Buenik said, noting that baseball's All-Star Game draws mostly local fans because it gives the host team's season-ticket holders first crack at tickets to the game and other events. The NBA doesn't provide that kind of consideration to local ticket holders and the Super Bowl is largely geared to corporations, making for overwhelmingly out-of-town crowds, he said.

"[Baseball's All-Star week] is a fun-filled family event, whereas the Super Bowl and NBA All-Star Game are more geared to large parties," he said. "For the Super Bowl, we had parties at outside venues away from [Reliant Stadium] that corporations sponsored, and those gave us more problems. There was a large street party, which created a whole other venue that we had to cover."

By contrast, baseball All-Star events were confined to two venues, Minute Maid Park for the game, home-run contest and other player-related events, and the George R. Brown Convention Center for FanFest. These activities will be divided in Pittsburgh between PNC Park and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Security for a baseball All-Star Game is nonetheless a major undertaking for local, county, state and federal agencies.

In Pittsburgh, the city Police Bureau and 53 other law enforcement and support agencies, ranging from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will be involved. There will be street closings, traffic detours, river restrictions and weapons inspections of cars, clothing and belongings.

Pittsburgh public safety officials say security arrangements for this year's events dwarf those for the last baseball All-Star Game held in the city, in 1994. But that doesn't mean the public will be inconvenienced, Chief Buenik and Pittsburgh Police Chief Dominic Costa said.

Chief Costa said heightened security and everyone having a good time aren't mutually exclusive. The goal in such a high-profile event, he said, is to create an environment where people can still enjoy themselves in the midst of ramped-up security.

"No question about it, you have to take [security] seriously," Chief Buenik said. "But when you work with Major League Baseball, the goal is to have it look like an average baseball game. The average fan might not notice anything different, but there's a lot of stuff going on behind the scenes."

Chief Costa agreed: "A lot is behind the scenes. But even though you won't see them, there will be a lot of people who will be working diligently to protect everyone's safety."

In fact, Chief Buenik said, the visibility of heightened security can help fans relax and enjoy themselves.

"People want to see police officers present. They want to know it's a safe venue. People don't mind getting screened now because they want to be at a safe venue. And they are used to it now. Look at the security at airports," he said.

Moreover, Chief Costa said, police are providing more than just security.

"They're also ambassadors for the city. They'll help people get to where they want to go -- restaurants, events, wherever, they'll help them."

As to whether Houston police were glad when All-Star activities ended, Chief Buenik chuckled. "It depends upon who you talk to. I'm in charge of special events, and I like special events.

"Certainly, you want to hold a major event where nothing happens, which is a sign of success. There is satisfaction when it comes off with no problems."