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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 even drive their boat 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 38,496, 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, that offers more traditional ballpark food. Other areas include shops along General Robison Street such as Vincent's Pizza and Atria's Restaurant, which are accessible from inside and outside PNC Park. The outer promenade at PNC Park is known as the River Walk and gives fans views of the city, the river, and the field. A life-size replica of a pirate ship contains virtual reality pitching and batting cages, rope courses and other games gives parents and their children another form of recreation other than the Pirates game. The Roberto Clemente bridge which is next to the ballpark is closed on game days to allow fans to walk from downtown Pittsburgh across the river to the ballpark. Since 2001, multiple ballparks have opened throughout baseball and none compare with the views that fans receive at PNC Park.

• Tenant: Pittsburgh Pirates
• Capacity: 38,496
• Surface: Grass
• Cost: $216 Million
• Opened: April 9, 2001
• Dimensions: 325-L, 389-LC, 399-C,
  375-RC, 320-R
• Architect: HOK/LDA
• Owner: City of Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition Authority
• Former Name(s): None
• Naming Rights: PNC Bank, $2.2 million/year through 2020

• Public Financing: 70% from state, county and city
• Private Financing: 30%: $40million from the Pirates
• Seating Chart
• Home Dugout: Third Base
• PNC Park Ground Rules
• Directions & Parking
• Fan Experiences
• Address: 115 Federal Street
  Pittsburgh, PA 15212
• Get Tickets Here: PNC Park-Pirates-Brewers-Reds

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DIRECTIONS TO THE BALLPARK

 

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-Address:
115 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
-Complete Directions and Parking Information