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Although the Pirates
have struggled on the field for many years, there is one thing fans
can never complain about as PNC Park is one of the most beautiful
ballparks in baseball. As the landscape in baseball changed in the
1990s many small market teams began seeking new ballparks to create
additional revenue. This included the Pirates as they demanded that
a ballpark be built or they would move to another city. As early as
1990, Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff proposed a new 44,000 seat
ballpark for the Pirates on the north side of the city near Three
Rivers Stadium. Over the next five years discussion remained ongoing
on whether to build a new stadium while the Pirates suffered
financially and on the field. By 1994, the Pirates were for sale and
it became a possibility that the team could be sold to an out of
town buyer and moved. Kevin McClatchy purchased the team and worked
with the city to get a new ballpark built for the Pirates. Dubbed
Forbes Field II, the team began drawing plans for a new ballpark
that would be similar to their previous home before Three Rivers
Stadium, Forbes Field. Bonds were approved for $216 million to build
a ballpark for the Pirates in 1997 and construction began in April
1999. The ballpark was named PNC Park after PNC Bank bought the
naming rights in August 1998.
The Pirates christened
PNC Park on April 9, 2001 when they played the Cincinnati Reds. From
the outside PNC Park looks like a classic ballpark from bygone
years. Fans walk to PNC Park from various parking facilities around
the ballpark, walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge from downtown
Pittsburgh or catch a ferry to the ballpark. Once outside the main
entrance of the ballpark, fans see a brick front, steel structure,
terra cotta tiled pilasters, dramatic masonry arches along the home
plate entryway, and a flat green steel roof. Statues of Honus Wagner
and Roberto Clemente are also outside the ballpark. Once inside fans
must take stairs, ramps or the escalator to reach the main concourse
and upper levels. However after the upward trip, fans are greeted
with perhaps the best view of any in MLB, a view of the downtown
Pittsburgh skyline.
With
a capacity of 38,362, PNC Park is baseball’s second smallest ballpark.
The ballpark has only two decks of seats that extend from the right
field foul  pole to homeplate and around to the left field foul pole.
Club seats, located on the lower section of the upper deck; and the
press box, located at the top of the upper deck, allow for the upper
level seats to be much closer to the field. Luxury suites are wedged
between the lower and upper decks. Fans can walk around the entire main
concourse of the stadium without losing sight of the field. In the
outfield, fans can sit in the section of bleachers in left field, or sit
in right field and try to catch a homerun ball if it is not hit into the
river. Fans can overlook the bullpens and catch an excellent view of the
field from left centerfield. An out of town scoreboard is part of the 21
foot high right field fence, in honor of Roberto Clemente who wore
number 21. A 42 ft. by 24 ft. scoreboard video board is located behind
the bleachers in left field.
From the main grandstand at
PNC Park, Pirate fans receive magnificent views of the downtown
Pittsburgh skyline and the Roberto Clemente bridge. The light standards
are toothbrush style and are patterned after the ones that were at
Forbes Field. PNC Park has many amenities that could not be found at
Three Rivers Stadium. They include a restaurant located above the left
field bleachers with casual dining and a bar atmosphere with wait staff
service for all fans, that overlooks both the playing field and the
city. PNC Park has two elaborate food courts; Smorgasburgh that offers
popular items from some of Western Pennsylvania's favorite eateries and
Pop's Plaza (named in honor of Willie Stargell), that
offers more
traditional ballpark food. Other areas include shops along General
Robison Street such as Diamond
Pizza and Atria's Restaurant, that are accessible from inside and
outside PNC Park.
The outer promenade at PNC Park known as the River Walk,
gives fans views of the city, the river, and the field. Pirate fans can
mingle, grab a bite to eat at Manny's BBQ and watch the game in this
area. Located in the right field corner is the Budweiser Bowtie Bar, a
U-shaped bar where fans can enjoy an adult beverage, while checking out
either the play on the field and the downtown skyline. Although many
ballparks have opened since 2001, PNC Park remains the most stunning
ballpark in baseball with its quaint setting and views of the downtown
Pittsburgh skyline.
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