Forbes Field - Three Rivers Stadium
2006 All-Star Game Tickets
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Groundbreaking: April 14, 1999
1st National League Game: April 9, 2001
Surface: Natural Grass
Architect: HOK Sport and L.D. Astorino & Associates of Pittsburgh
Construction: Barton Malow (Baltimore) & Dick Corporation (Pittsbugh)
Cost: $216 million
Financing: A complex $800 million package-deal (PNC Park, Heinz Field {Steelers}, Three Rivers Stadium demolition, convention center etc.) with funding from numerous sources: The Regional Asset District bond project, a county hotel tax, surcharge on Pirates and Steelers tickets, a 1% wage tax levied on players who do not live in the city, $300 million in matching funds from the state, $36 million in interest earnings, $28 million in federal infrastructure improvements, $11 million in parking revenue, $45 million from a Pittsburgh Investment Capital fund and $85 million from the Pirates and Steelers.
Owner: Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition Authority
Seating capacity: 38,365 (2001); 38,496 (2005)
Playing Field Dimensions:
LF foul line: 325 ft.
LF alley: 389 ft.
Center field: 399 ft.
Deepest Left-Center: 410 ft.
RF alley: 375 ft.
RF foul line: 320 ft.
Outfield Fences: 6' in left, 10' in center and 21' in right.
Hosted World Series: Never
Hosted All-Star Game: Will host in 2006. Click here for tickets
Fearing the iminannnt loss of the Pirates when their lease at Three Rivers ran out, Pittsburgh Mayor Tom Murphy established a Task Force in 1995 to study the issues relating to the construction of a new ballpark for the Bucs, as well as a new football stadium for the Steelers. It was made up of 29 business and political leaders in the Pittsburgh region, as well as Pirates owner Kevin McClatchy, HOK Sport and the Society of American Baseball Research. The final report was issued in the summer of 1996, and settled on a site one block from Three Rivers Stadium, as the best choice for a location for the new stadiums. In 1997, the first funds were approved as a bond issue passed to get the ball rolling. Construction began in April of 1999 and two years later on April 8, 2001, the Pirates christened their new home on the banks of the Allegheny river with an 8-2 loss to the Cincinnati Reds.
From the start, PNC Park dazzled fans and critics alike with its neo-classic style, fan and player amenities and intimacy (38,365 seats and only two decks). With rhythmic archways, black and green steel trusswork, highly crafted brickwork-- the park is quite faithfull to the classic original ballparks-- including Forbes Field.
Its prime location along the shore of the Allegheny River takes advantage of amazing scenic vistas of the downtown skyline and riverfront, as well as pedestrian and riverboat access, creating an exciting urban sports venue. It also provides easy access for pedestrians crossing the Roberto Clemente bridge (closed to vehicle traffic on game days) from downtown, as well as those arriving from the riverwalk. Another unique aspect of PNC Park is provided by its location along the north shore of the Allegheny River. Fans have the ability to hop aboard one of the many riverboats that sail from various areas around the city and dock directly adjacent to the ballpark.
With its historic, classic style, old-fashioned intimacy and quite possibly the most dynamic view in baseball, PNC Park has quickly topped several lists of America's favorite ballparks. We can't argue that.
The Good: The most breathtaking view from a grandstand in any park, bar none.
The Bad: PNC could've been a "perfect 10" if the upper deck was built out further over the lower deck like in Wrigley Field, Tiger Stadium, new Yankee Stadium etc. Alas, the "Supporting posts or extended cantilever decks are evil" theory remains the HOK Sport design standard, even if it means a lot fewer truly great upper view seats and a less intimate ballpark.
The Ugly: Even with jem of a ballpark like PNC, the Pirates averaged only 21,107 for the 2004 season.
Pittsburgh Pirates
115 Federal Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
1-877-893-BUCS
Dugout Box $35
Infield Box $27
Baseline Box $26
L/R Field Box $24
Pirates Cove $16
Outfield Box $20
Outfield Reserved $17
Grandstand $16
L/R Field Grandstand $9
Deck Seating $12
Bleacher Reserved $14
Bleacher $9
Seating Chart
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TV: FSNP
In-park dining choices: Pop-A-Duke Gyros new, Willie's Chili, Pops Potato Patch, Chicken on the Hill, Primanti Brothers, Benkovitz Fish, Willie's Hits, Ben & Jerry's, Quaker Steak and Lube and Vincent's of Greentree pizza. There is also an Outback Steakhouse in the outfield.
Signature concession items include: Lamb Gyros, barbecued ribs, macaroni and cheese, corned beef sandwich, pierogis, and the Primanti Brothers sandwich.
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NOTES, FACTS AND FEATURES
PNC Park is the first Major League 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, the highest seat is just 88 feet from the field
The outfield wall rises up to 21 feet behind right field (in honor of the Pirates legendary right fielder #21, Roberto Clemente) and drops down to just six feet in front of the left field bleachers.
Among the features of thel facility are 69 suites with their own concourse level, club seating at both the field and mezzanine levels with their own respective lounges, and an outfield barbecue run by former Pirate Manny Sanguillen. PNC Park also features Outback in the Outfield, a steakhouse restaurant with a party deck that overlooks both the playing field and the city.
The ballpark houses retail areas along the Federal Street and General Robinson Street corridor, including Vincent's Pizza, Atria's Restaurant, Seattle's Best Coffee, Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, a sports art gallery, PNC Bank, and the Pirates administrative and ticket offices.
The park's light towers are "toothbrush" style, and are patterned after the ones that were used at Forbes Field.
From home plate to the Allegheny River is 443 feet, 4 inches.
The Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank Corp. bought the naming rights to the ballpark for $1.5 million per year.
Heinz Field, the new home of the Steelers, is located only two blocks away.
PNC Park is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since their inception in 1887. The fledgling National League franchise first began play at Recreation Park, located at the corners of Grant and Pennsylvania Avenues along the Fort Wayne railroad tracks on the North Side. The club then moved to Exposition Park in 1891, which was situated along the Allegheny River between the new ballpark site and where Three Rivers Stadium formerly stood. After 18 years at Exposition, including hosting 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.
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since 1979, but they sure have one great little municipal ballpark.
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Click on titles for more info
The Pittsburgh Pirates Encyclopedia
by David Finoli, Bill Ranier
The Bucs
by John McCollister
The Pittsburgh Pirates (Writing Baseball)
by Fred Lieb
Branch Rickey in Pittsburgh: Baseball's Trailblazing General Manager for the Pirates, 1950-1955
by Andrew O'Toole
America's Ballparks
by Kenneth Hogan
Ballparks of North America: A Comprehensive Historical Reference to Baseball Grounds, Yards and Stadiums, 1845 to Present
by Michael Benson
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