Shibe Park & Veterans Stadium
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Groundbreaking: November, 2001
First National League game: April 12, 2004 (Cin 4, Phi 1)
Architects: EwingCole and HOK Sport
Construction: L. F. Driscoll Co. and Hunt Construction Group in association with Synterra, Ltd. and Don Todd Associates, Inc.
Cost: $458 million
- Phillies: $172 million
- Public funding: $174 million
- Sitework: $112 million
Owner: City of Philadelphia
Seating Capacity: 43,500 (2004); 43,826 (2005)
Dimensions:
LF foul line: 329 ft.
Left field : 345 ft. (2004);
LF deep alley: 369 ft. (2004);
LF "angle": 389 ft
Center Field: 401 ft.
RF deep alley: 369 ft.
Right field: 349 ft
RF foul line: 330 ft.
Height of Fences:
Left to left-center: 8 ft. (2004); 10 ft. 6 in. (2006)
Left-center "Angle": 19 ft. to 12 ft. 8 in.
Center field straightaway: 6 ft.
Right to right-center: 13 ft. 3 in.
Hosted World Series: Never
Hosted All-Star Game: Never
The exterior architecture - comprised primarily of multiple shades of red brick, precast concrete and granite is complemented by the green roofs with a copper patina finish. Black accent bricks patterned in the shape of baseball diamonds are inlaid across the top of the three primary facades. Additionally, along Pattison Avenue, the black bricks spell the word "Philadelphia" in 12' high letters.
At the four corners of the site, landscaped entrance plazas open the park to the street. Each of these entrance plazas have a distinct character and focus, echoing the City of Philadelphia design plan with its four unique squares. Approaching the entrance plazas, the steel framed seating bowl and twin light towers flank the primary entrances - which lead to the open-air main concourse and an open view to the playing field. With the Philadelphia city skyline as the backdrop, the ballpark features bowl-style seating with the playing field scooped out 23 feet below street level. The seating bowl layout is said to be inspired by Baker Bowl and Connie Mack Stadium, former homes of the Phillies.
The Good: Moving from the Vet to this park, hmmm... Can you say, "Upgrade"?
The Bad: The Phillies website says, "The cantilevered steel structure allows for more open seating areas". We call it upper decks that aren't cantilevered enough and are too high and far from the playing field.
The Ugly: A site farther north would've provided a nicer view. The prominent structure beyond center field is an old Holiday Inn. The downtown skyline is miles away (below).
One Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 463-1000
Field (115-132) $40
Field (108-114 & 133-139) $35
Field (140-148 & 101-107) $22
Arcade $25
Scoreboard Porch $20
Pavilion (206-211) $25
Pavilion (201-205) $20
Pavilion Deck (306-310) $18
Pavilion Deck (301-305) $15
Terrace (312-328) $27.50
Terrace (329-333) $20
Terrace Deck (412-428) $20
Terrace Deck (429-434) $15
Seating Chart
Purchase Phillies Tickets
TV: WPSG-57, CSN
In-park dining choices: Planet Hoagie new, Fairmount Fries new, Brewerytown, Bull's BBQ, Cobblestone Grill, Fairmount Fries, Geno's Steaks, Harry the K's Broadcast Bar & Grille (Left field scoreboard), Hatfield Grill, High & Inside Pub, McFadden's Restaurant & Saloon (Open year 'round), Neighborhood Pizza, Old City Creamery, South Philadelphia Market, Tony Luke's
Philadelphia Dining Guide - Best Bets
Directions & Parking
Ballpark Tour & Vacation Packages
Left field at Citizens Bank Park to have new look in 2006
By Ken Mandel / MLB.com - December 22, 2005
The project, which will be completed well in advance of the April 1-2 On-Deck Series games against the Red Sox, entails removing and relocating the wall, thus changing the dimensions in that area of the two-year-old park.
The team is replacing the wall, 22-inch-high railing and the flower beds that became the final resting place for many home runs. Also gone are 196 seats -- covering two rows -- in Sections 141-146.
The new wall will stand 10-feet-6, or two-and-a-half feet taller than the original wall. The distance to the left-field foul pole will remain at 329 feet, with the new wall angling back five feet and extending straight across to left-center field to Section 146. This will add more area for left fielder Pat Burrell to cover.
"We've decided there's some action that can make the park play better," team president David Montgomery said when confirming the team's plans in October. "It's adjusting fences. We hope to end up with a fair ballpark."
Citizens Bank Park surrendered 201 homers in 2005, the fifth most in the Majors, and down 17 from 2004, when the park allowed the third most. But consider that fewer home runs were hit across the board. According to ESPN, the ballpark had a "park factor" of 1.289. The stat compares the rate of statistics at home versus the rate of stats on the road, with a rate higher than 1.000 favoring the hitter.
Philadelphia's 1.289 mark ranked sixth in the Majors. The Phillies' home turf has been one of the friendliest places for hitters since opening in 2004, and the club has drawn criticism from pitchers around the league, including their own.
The team hopes this will help.
NOTES, FACTS AND FEATURES
Naming rites: Citizens Bank, $95 million over 25 years; $57.5 million for naming rights and $37.5 million for the Phillies broadcast media package.
The walk-around, open-air concourses offer a continuous, uninterrupted view of the field.
"The Angle." The outfield wall, located between the left-center field power alley and dead center field, angles into the playing field and has heights that taper from 19' to 12' 8".
Original artwork by Hall of Fame artist Dick Perez is on display in Cooperstown Gallery located in the Hall of Fame Club . . . The Diamond Club features original artwork by Philadelphia-area artist Dane Tilghman . . . Max Mason, a renowned local artist, has three murals displayed in Harry the K's Broadcast Bar & Grille . . . Unique tile mosaics by local artist Jonathan Mandell are displayed on the Main Concourse level.
Statues - World-renowned sculptor Zenos Frudakis has created four 10-foot tall bronze statues of Phillies Hall of Famers Richie Ashburn, Robin Roberts, Steve Carlton and Mike Schmidt . . . In addition, the Phillies relocated the Connie Mack statue that was part of the Veterans Stadium and Connie Mack Stadium experiences. Mr. Mack's statue is located on the west side of Citizens Bank Way . . . The four Joe Brown statues that graced the Vet will be relocated to the perimeter of the parking lot being constructed where the Vet once stood.
Ashburn Alley: A festive outfield entertainment area open to all fans that is named in honor of Phillies legend Richie Ashburn, Ashburn Alley features a retail store, a variety of concession options with Philadelphia flavor, including Bull's BBQ, and picnic tables. Other features of Ashburn Alley include: All-Star Walk - Granite markers featuring Phillies All-Stars since the first All-Star Game in 1933 are on display. Additions will take place annually as Phillies players receive All-Star honors. Bullpens - Guests have the chance to view the bi-level bullpens and watch pitchers from both teams warm up. A special viewing platform located in Memory Lane includes instructional pitching displays and a peek into the bullpens. Citizens Bank Games of Baseball - Guests can Run the Bases, play Ballpark Pinball and try Pitch 'Em & Tip 'Em in the unique Citizens Bank interactive games area located near the Right Field Gate entrance. Memory Lane - Located on the back of the batter's eye walls is an illustrated history of Philadelphia baseball, including the Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics and Negro League teams in the city. "Rooftop Bleacher Seats" - A total of 199 guests can enjoy this unique setting located above the concession buildings along Ashburn Alley.
Liberty Bell Home Run Spectacular: Towering 100 feet above street level, the Liberty Bell rings after every Phillies home run. The bell and clapper sway from side to side independently, its neon edges light up and pulsate and its ring can be heard throughout the park. The 35-foot by 50-foot Liberty Bell is located in right-center field. (see below)
Located at field level as part of the right field wall is the out-of-town scoreboard. The 208-foot wide scoreboard will not only provide the score but also the inning, current pitcher, base runner position and number of outs.
A total of 70 Suites are accessible by a balcony that overlooks the Main Concourse.
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Click on titles for more info
Philadelphia's Old Ballparks
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The Phillies Encyclopedia
by Rich Westcott, Frank Bilovsky, Harry Kalas
Tales from the Phillies Dugout
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Take Me Out to the Ballpark: An Illustrated Guide to Baseball Parks Past & Present
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The Ultimate Baseball Road-Trip
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Fodor's Baseball Vacations: Great Family Trips to Minor League and Classic Major League Ballparks Across America
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America's Ballparks
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Ballparks of North America: A Comprehensive Historical Reference to Baseball Grounds, Yards and Stadiums, 1845 to Present
by Michael Benson
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