Photos by Dave Cottenie and Patricia Beninato
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.57
PNC Park 115 Federal St Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Year Opened: 2001 Capacity: 38,747
The Bucs Play Here
The Pittsburgh Pirates are one of the oldest franchises in major league baseball, as they were founded in 1881 as the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. It is unique among the MLB teams in that it has never moved away from its city of origin. The Pirates played in the first World Series in 1903. They lost that one but have gone on to win five World Series and nine National League Championships in the years that have followed.
The home of the Pittsburgh Pirates is PNC Park. It is located on the North Shore section of Pittsburgh, across the Allegheny River from Downtown Pittsburgh and the Golden Triangle. The stadium opened in 2001 and has a capacity of 38,747. It is the fifth home of the franchise since its founding 137 years ago. It replaced the multipurpose Three River Stadium, marking a decided departure from the utilitarian design of its predecessor. PNC Park was designed by HOK, a firm noted for its engineering and architectural skills in sports facilities. It features a stone and steel exterior, reminiscent of ballpark design in the 1930s. Many locals say it reminds them of the old Forbes Field of a bygone era.
The field dimensions are 320’ to right field, 410’ to left center and 399’ to dead center. The field features natural turf.
Food & Beverage 5
Pittsburgh is known as a foodie town, probably due to the many ethnic groups that make up its population. While it will always offer traditional baseball foods like any MLB stadium, visiting fans will be shortchanging themselves if they do not try out the many local specialties unique to the Steel City. The concessions program at PNC Park proudly features a strong set of dishes that will leave visitors wishing their hometown ballparks would add them to their menus.
The centrally located Tastes of Pittsburgh concourse offers the greatest diversity of stadium food. This includes the legendary Primanti Brothers deli sandwiches, Mrs. T’s Pierogies, Quaker Steak and Lube, Augustine’s Pizza, and Manny’s BBQ. Primanti Brothers sandwiches have been a Steel Town favorite since the 1930’s. The mile-high sandwiches feature deli-style meats, cole slaw, and French fries between two specially baked buns. Pierogies are a Polish creation, with a dough dumpling filled with ingredients like potatoes, cheese, and onions. Other foods available in separate areas of the ballpark include Cannonball Burgers, Chicken on the Hill, Deli Dogs, and Coop de Ville. Every Thursday is $1 Hot Dog Night.
Pittsburgh is also known as a great beer town, with hundreds of craft brews created locally. Many of these brews are available at the Fat Head’s Bullpen Bar just beyond the centerfield wall. PNC Park also features a wide selection of beers in its convenience store outlets, The Market, scattered throughout the park.
PNC Park is one of the few major league ballparks that allows outside food to be brought in. There are size limits in place, and drinks must be in a sealed clear plastic container. No alcohol or sodas can be brought into the park.
Atmosphere 5
Coors Field may have the Rocky Mountains and Oracle Park may have San Francisco Bay, but no stadium shows off its hometown better than PNC Park. It offers spectacular views of downtown Pittsburgh over the outfield walls. The ballpark takes everything that could be a negative and turns it into a positive. The riverside location presents some challenges, but the park embraces it. PNC is not a big ballpark as far as capacity. However, this means that it offers a much more intimate feel to the venue, resulting in even the highest seat in the stadium being no more than 88 feet from the field.
PNC Park does an excellent job of creating a deep sense of the history of the franchise. There are statues devoted to Pirate icons Honus Wagner, Roberto Clemente, Willie Stargell, and Bill Mazeroski outside of the stadium. Additionally, the retired Pirate numbers are featured in a display near the Center Field gate, and large baseballs along the riverwalk salute Pirate players who have been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Pirates did not integrate until the rest of the MLB in the late 1950’s. However, Pittsburgh was home to two of the most successful franchises in the Negro Leagues… the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords. The Pirates have included a display featuring the history of the two teams at the Left Field entrance gate to PNC Park.
Neighborhood 4
PNC Park’s site was chosen to take advantage of Pittsburgh’s many downtown attractions. The immediate area surrounding the park is known as the North Shore, as it is on the north shoreline of the Allegheny River. Visitors to this side of the river have plenty of options for dining, entertainment, exercise, and culture. Attractions within walking distance of PNC Park include the Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Science Center, the Riverwalk, and Acrisure Stadium... the home of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dining and drinking establishments on the North Shore include Burgertory and Mike’s Beer Bar, which carries more than 80 craft beers on tap.
Lying just across the Allegheny River from PNC Park is Downtown Pittsburgh and the Golden Triangle. The two sides of the river are linked by the Roberto Clemente Bridge, which becomes a pedestrian-only thoroughfare on gamedays. This makes it extremely easy to visit the downtown area before or after a Pirates game. Downtown attractions within easy walking distance of PNC Park include the Heinz Hall for Performing Arts, the Fort Pitt Museum, and The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center (which offers several exhibits about the history of baseball in the Pittsburgh area).
Fans 4
The Pirates have one of the most dedicated fan bases in the MLB. They still turn out in large numbers and support the team despite one of the longest absences from the playoffs in the MLB. The fans understand that the team is in one of the smallest markets in either league and operates with limited financial resources. However, they are proud that their team has made the investment in the ballpark that has it winning accolades from all areas of the country as ‘the best ballpark in the MLB.”
The fans often bring their out-of-town friends to games, as win or lose, the ballpark shows the best their hometown has to offer. The terrific local cuisine served at the park, the many attractions close by, the iconic views of the Pittsburgh skyline over the outfield walls, and even the unique ways of getting to the park make PNC Park a matter of civic pride for the fans as well as the team.
Access 5
Unlike many ballparks located in a large urban area, PNC Park offers a variety of options for fans to get to the Pirate games. Persons coming from the north can take I-279 South and take exits 2B or 1B to lots on the North Shore. Other travelers coming south on Rte. 28 South can exit at East Ohio Street to reach the parking lots. PNC Park is also located within a mile of both I-376 and I-579. Fans coming from the south should park in one of several lots in Downtown Pittsburgh. Fans can then cross the Alleghany River via the Andy Warhol Bridge to PNC Park. The Waze App will advise you on the best route to take to the stadium on gameday.
The PRT light rail system runs free shuttle service from Downtown Pittsburgh/Golden Triangle stations to the North Side Station located just outside of the Home Plate gate at PNC Park.
The Clemente Bridge between Downtown Pittsburgh and the North Shore is pedestrian-only use on gamedays.
The most unique way of traveling to PNC Park is via the Gateway Clipper water shuttles. The shuttles ferry fans from the Station Square Complex on the Monongahela River to PNC Park on the Allegheny River. This journey also includes a short portion of the Ohio River. The cost for the Gateway Clipper option is $15 roundtrip.
Gates at PNC Park open 90 minutes before the first pitch for Friday night and weekend games. They open 60 minutes before games on Mondays and Thursdays.
Return on Investment 4
The light rail system stations serving the Golden Triangle Stations and the North Side “T” Station provide free rides to and from the park on gamedays. Fans can use the MLB Ballpark app to locate and prepurchase their parking before heading to the games.
Parking on the North Shore typically costs $15 -$25. However, fans arriving early may be able to park at the Carnegie Science Center lot for just $10. Parking in downtown Pittsburgh typically goes for $10-$15.
The Pirates use a dynamic pricing model for tickets. Weekday tickets start at $25, while Friday night tickets start at $26. Saturday tickets start at $27, and Sunday afternoon games start at $25. Some series will reflect higher beginning prices, especially games involving the Phillies and other division rivals. Standing Room Only tickets are sold for $10 once the seating reaches capacity.
PNC operates as a cashless facility.
Extras 5
One extra goes to having the backdrop of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline just beyond the outfield walls. Unlike every other MLB ballpark, the home team dugout at PNC Park is on the third base side of the field. The Pirates get to enjoy the views of the Downtown Pittsburgh skyline.
PNC is always looking for ways to improve the ballpark and the gameday experience for the Pirate fans. A new videoboard has been installed recently that is twice the size of its predecessor. It has been erected behind the left field wall, leaving the view of Downtown Pittsburgh unobstructed. In addition, self-ordering kiosks have been installed at PNC Pops Plaza that allows you to place your order from multiple concession stands in one transaction. This speeds up the concession lines, allowing fans to get back to their seats quickly so they do not miss much game action.
The Bucco Brigade oversees all in-game entertainment. They coordinate the activities of the team mascot, the Pirate Parrot, as well as T-shirt tosses, hot dog shoots, and baseball quizzes during breaks in the action. They also manage the Pirate Pierogies character race in the middle of the fifth inning.
There are several group seating areas within PNC Park. They include the Rooftop underneath the videoboard in left field, the Porch in center field, the Left Field Lounge, and the Azul Lounge on the third base side of the field. There are 69 PNC Luxury Suites around the infield portion of the field.
There is an excellent privately managed Roberto Clemente Museum located just across the Clemente Bridge from PNC Park. Visits/tours must be prearranged by contacting the museum at www.robertoclementemuseum.com.
Final Thoughts
For any fan of baseball, a trip to see the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park is an absolute must. With some improved play on the field this season, hopefully more fans will embrace the experience and flood the park on the banks of the Allegheny.