Few cities can boast of a 115-year relationship with the same Major League ball club, as Pittsburgh can. For a franchise with as long and storied a history as the Pittsburgh Pirates, an ordinary ballpark would not do, and PNC Park is definitely an extraordinary ballpark. PNC Park, which seats 38,000, combines the architecture of the surrounding downtown cityscape, with hints of the Pirates history and former venues, while reflecting the blue collar grittiness of the local folk. The Pirates built a stadium that is not only located in, but is part of Pittsburgh.
PNC Park is located right along the Allegheny River, and literally abutting the outfield perimeter of the stadium is the Roberto Clemente Bridge (named for Pirates' Hall of Fame Roberto Clemente). The low, open-air infield stands offer a wide, breathtaking view of the downtown Pittsburgh skyline across the Allegheny River. The interior walls and backstop behind home plate are made of limestone, a departure from the red-brick walls present in most of today's newer ballparks. The limestone captures the city's trademark "gold" color, while also reflecting the rugged local landscape. Also prevalent throughout the ballpark is the use of steel construction, a tribute to Pittsburgh's history in the steel industry. The spiraling rotunda in left field, which allows access to the various concourse levels via escalators and stairs, best employs this theme. A 2003 ESPN study gave the park a 95 rating (out of 100), making it "the best stadium in baseball," a title the stadium has openly adopted since.
PNC Park is the Pittsburgh Pirates fifth home since their inception in 1887. The fledgling National League franchise first began play at Recreation Park. The club then moved to Exposition Park in 1891, which was situated along the Allegheny River between the new ballpark site and the place where Three Rivers Stadium would later stand. After 18 years of playing at Exposition Park, where they hosted the first World Series in 1903, the Bucs moved to Forbes Field in Oakland on June 30, 1909. The club spent 61 seasons at Forbes, its longest tenure at any facility, before moving to Three Rivers Stadium on July 16, 1970. On April 9, 2001, the Pirates christened PNC Park, losing to the Cincinnati Reds 8-2. PNC Park's highlight event, as of this point in its short history, took place on July 11, 2006, when it hosted the 77th Annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game; a game in which the American League defeated the National League 3-2.
PNC Park is the first ballpark with a two-deck design to be built in the United States since Milwaukee's County Stadium was completed in 1953. Because of its intimate design (PNC Park is the smallest in the majors, with the exception of Fenway Park in Boston) the highest seat is just 88 feet from the field, giving every fan in the park an ideal sight line. The outfield wall rises up to 21 feet behind right field (in honor of the Pirates legendary right fielder, Roberto Clemente, who wore uniform number 21) and drops down to just six feet in front of the left field bleachers. The tall light poles rising high above the seating bowl were designed to replicate those at Forbes Field. At field level, along right field, is the out of town scoreboard, which has the look of a retro hand operated scoreboard, but is much more high tech than that. The board not only offers scores but, through a clever light code, offers the exact game situation. Fans are kept informed in real time of such details as the runners on base, and number of outs. We should also mention that there is a counter near the right field pole displaying how many home runs have reached the Allegheny River. As of this date, the counter stands at 01, with Daryle Ward being the only player to homer into the water, in 2002. Lastly, atop the wall at dead center, is a nicely landscaped knoll with evergreen trees and a shrub bed shaped in the Pirates "P" logo. Behind the ballpark, between the river and the bleachers, is a waterfront promenade called the River Walk. This promenade is replete with concession stands, and offers fans views of the city, the river, and the field. Three exquisite statues were erected outside of PNC Park, honoring three of the greatest players in Pirates and baseball history. Near the home plate main gate stands a statue of Honus Wagner, with a plaque simply stating that he was "the greatest shortstop in baseball history." The Roberto Clemente statue stands by the gateway area between the Roberto Clemente Bridge and the center-field entrance, and the Willie Stargell statue was unveiled in front of the left field gate. Taken together, these three statues rate among the finest baseball sculptures you are likely to find anywhere.
Games at PNC can be a lot of fun. The games usually feature a "Pierogie Race" between the 5th and 6th innings of most games. Fans dress up in giant, oversized pierogie costumes, and run the length of the field, an idea borrowed from the Milwaukee Brewers and their famous "Sausage Races." When the Pirates hit a home run, fireworks are launched from center field, and the Pepsi bottle in right field spews out mist. In addition, great organ music, with unique Pittsburgh and Pirates chants, is played during games.
Tours of PNC Park are available, and offer a behind the scenes look at the ballpark. Some of the attractions you may visit during the tour include: Pirates Dugout and Warning Track, Batting Cages, Pittsburgh Baseball Club Level, Press Box, Tour Theatre and Museum, and Highmark Legacy Square. Tours last approximately 90 minutes, and begin at the Willie Stargell Statue Gate, located on Federal Street.
Getting to the venue is easy, with expressway access off of I-279. Your best parking choice is one of the North Shore surface lots or garages around PNC Park. Another cool way to get to the game is by riding the Gateway Clipper. This large ferry boat departs from Station Square, at the other end of downtown, and takes you on a pleasant ride down the river, dropping you off right behind the ballpark. PAT bus transportation and the "T" are other options for getting to PNC Park. From downtown you can get to the ballpark by walking across the Clemente Bridge. You can also take the "T," in which case you should park at South Hills, ride the "T" downtown, get off at either the Wood Street or Gateway Center stations, and walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge to PNC Park. Walking across the beautiful Roberto Clemente Bridge is an experience in itself. The bridge is closed off to automobiles on game days, and ends right in front of the park, where you can find block parties and beach volleyball going on before the game.