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BALLPARKS:
AMERICAN LEAGUE -
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FUTUREhggg |
 PNC
Park
Pittsburgh,
PA
Although the Pirates
have struggled on the field for many years, one thing that fans of
the Pirates can never complain about is PNC Park as it 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 northside 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.
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 With
a capacity of 38,496, 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
Vincent's 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. 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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MEMORABLE MOMENTS AT PNC PARK |
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All Star Game: 2006
Cincinnati Reds' Sean
Casey, a native of Pittsburgh gets the first hit at PNC Park, a
homerun.
2004 Rookie of the Year Jason
Bay.
Gold Glove Award winner Nate
McLouth in 2008.
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2012 PIRATES SCHEDULE |
UPCOMING GAMES |
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PNC PARK PICTURES |
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PNC PARK AND THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES BY THE NUMBERS |
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Total Attendance |
Average Attendance per Game |
MLB Rank |
Team Wins |
Average Ticket Price* |
MLB Rank |
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2011 |
1,940,429 |
24,225 |
22 |
72 |
15.30 |
30 |
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2010 |
1,613,399 |
19,918 |
27 |
57 |
15.39 |
28 |
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2009 |
1,577,853 |
19,479 |
28 |
62 |
15.39 |
29 |
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2008 |
1,609,076 |
19,865 |
28 |
67 |
17.07 |
28 |
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2007 |
1,749,142 |
21,594 |
27 |
68 |
17.07 |
25 |
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