PNC Park

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PNC Park
The Best Stadium in Baseball
File:NLC-PIT-PNC.PNG
File:PNCPark77.jpg
Map
Location115 Federal St.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212
OwnerCity of Pittsburgh Sports & Exhibition Authority
Capacity38,496 (2001)
Field sizeLeft Field — 325 ft / 99 m (6 ft / 2 m high fence)
Left-Center — 386 ft / 118 m
Deep Left-Center Field — 410 ft / 125 m
Center Field — 399 ft / 122 m (10 ft / 3 m high fence)
Right-Center — 375 ft / 114 m
Right Field — 320 ft / 97.5 m (21 ft / 6.5 m high wall)
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundApril 7, 1999
OpenedMarch 31, 2001
Construction cost$216 million
ArchitectHOK Sport
L.D. Astorino & Associates (Pittsburgh)
Tenants
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) (2001-present)

PNC Park is a ballpark located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that is the fifth home to the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball team.[1][2] It opened in 2001, shortly after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous stadium, Three Rivers Stadium. The ballpark is named for locally based PNC Financial Services, which purchased the naming rights, in 1998.[3]

Funded in conjunction with Heinz Field, the $216 million park stands along the Allegheny River, on the northside of Pittsburgh. The ballpark was built in the style of classic stadiums, such as Fenway Park; while introducing new features, such as the use of limestone. The park features seating close to the playing surface; the batter is closer to the seats behind home plate than to the pitcher. The ballpark also features several local eateries, and an all-you-can-eat section, which allows fans unlimited food for an entire game. The ballpark hosted the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the fifth in the city of Pittsburgh. Since completion, it has been described as one of the best ballparks in the country.

History

Planning and funding

In 1990, Pittsburgh mayor Sophie Masloff proposed to build a new 44,000-seat stadium for the Pittsburgh Pirates on the city's North Side.[3] Plans were discussed, but due to a possibility that the team might move away from the city, they were never seriously considered until entrepreneur Kevin McClatchy purchased the team in 1994.[3] One year later, Masloff's successor Tom Murphy created the "Forbes Field II Task Force", made up of 29 political and business leaders, to study the challenges of constructing a new ballpark.[4] Their final report, published on June 25 1996, concluded that the "North Side site" would be the best location for the new ballpark.[4]

The stadium was built with public money after a long political debate. Originally, a sales tax increase was proposed to fund three projects: PNC Park, Heinz Field, and an expansion of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. After this proposal was rejected in a referendum, however, the city developed Plan B.[5] Similarly controversial, the alternative proposal was named "Scam B" by opponents.[6] Many felt that the Pirates' pledge of $40 million toward the new stadium was too little, while others criticized the amount of public money allocated for Plan B. One observer called the use of tax dollars "corporate welfare".[7][8] The plan, totaling $809 million, was approved by the Allegheny Regional Asset District board on July 9 1998, with $228 million allotted for PNC Park.[7][9] Shortly after Plan B was approved, the Pirates made a deal with Pittsburgh officials to stay in the city until at least 2031.[6] PNC Financial Services purchased the naming rights on August 6 1998; as per the agreement, PNC Bank will pay the Pirates approximately $1.5 million each year through 2020.[4][10] The total cost of PNC Park was $216 million.[1][2]

Design and construction

Kansas-based HOK Sport designed the stadium.[11][12] The design and construction management team consisted of Dick Corporation and Barton Malow.[1] An effort was made in the design of PNC Park to salute other "classic style" ballparks, such as Fenway Park and Forbes Field; its archways and steel truss work are key features of this goal.[1] The "toothbrush" style light standards are patterned after those at Forbes Field.[3] PNC Park was the first two-deck ballpark to be built in the United States since Milwaukee County Stadium was opened in 1953.[1][2] The park features a 24 by 42 foot Sony JumboTron, which is accompanied by the first-ever LED videoboards in an outdoor Major League stadium.[13] PNC Park is the first stadium to feature an out-of-town-scoreboard with the score, inning, count, number of outs, and baserunners for every other game being played around the league.[13]

Ground was broken for PNC Park on April 7 1999, after a ceremony to rename the Sixth Street Bridge as the "Roberto Clemente Bridge".[14] PNC Park was constructed with Kasota limestone,[4] shipped from a Minnesota river valley, to contrast with modern stadiums, usually built with brick.[15] The park was also built more quickly than most stadiums; the Pirates played their first game less than two years after groundbreaking.[15] This was accomplished with the use of special computers, which relayed building plans 24 hours per day.[15] Also, all 23 labor unions involved signed a pact that they would not strike during building process.[15] As a result of close union involvement and careful attention to safety regulations, no workers were seriously injured during the park's construction.[15] Construction manager, The Dick Corporation, received a merit award for its safety practices from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.[16] The stadium is inspected yearly, along with Heinz Field, by Chronicle Consulting, LLC, for structural defects and maintenance.[17]

Park opening and reception

Statue of Honus Wagner, outside the homeplate entrance

The Pirates opened the park with two pre-season games against the New York Mets, the first was played on March 31 2001.[4] The first official baseball game played in PNC Park was between the Cincinnati Reds and the Pittsburgh Pirates, on April 9 2001. The Reds won the game by the final score of 8–2. The first pitch was thrown by Todd Ritchie, a ball to Barry Larkin. In the top of the first inning, Sean Casey's two-run home run was the first hit in the park. The first Pirates' batter, Adrian Brown, struck out; however, later in the inning Jason Kendall singled, the first hit by a Pirate. Two days later, John Vander Wal became the first Pirate to hit a home run in the park.[1]

Upon opening in 2001, PNC Park was praised by fans and media alike. Jim Caple, of ESPN.com, ranked PNC Park as the best stadium in Major League Baseball, with a score of 95 out of 100.[18] He compared the park to Fallingwater, calling the stadium itself "perfect", and citing the high ticket prices as the only negative aspect of visiting the park.[19] Pirates' vice-president Steve Greenberg said, "We said when construction began that we would build the best ballpark in baseball, and we believe we've done that."[20] Major League Baseball executive Paul Beeston has said the park was the best he's seen so far in baseball.[20] Many of the workers who built the park said that it was the nicest that they have seen.[16] In 2008, Men's Fitness named the park one of "10 big league parks worth seeing this summer".[21][22]

Park alterations

In 2007, Allegheny County passed a ban on smoking in most public places, including PNC Park; thus making PNC Park a completely smoke-free facility.[23] Prior to the 2008 season, the Pirates made multiple alterations to PNC Park.[24] The biggest change was removing the Outback Steakhouse located underneath the scoreboard, and adding a new restaurant known as The Hall of Fame Club.[25] Unlike its predecessor, The Hall of Fame Club is open to all ticket-holders on game day; it also includes an outdoor patio with a bar and seats with a view of the field.[25] Plans are in place to feature bands in The Hall of Fame Club after the completion of some games; the first band to perform was Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers.[25][24] The Pirates also announced a program to make the park more environmentally friendly, by integrating "greening initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational outreach."[26] In addition, all club and suite sections were outfitted with high-definition televisions.[25]

2006 MLB All-Star Game

Main article: 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game

PNC Park hosted the 77th Major League All-Star Game on July 11 2006.[27] The American League defeated the National League by a score of 3-2, with 38,904 spectators in attendance.[28] The first All-Star game in PNC Park, it was the fifth all-star game hosted in Pittsburgh, and the first since 1994.[29] During the game, late Pirate Roberto Clemente received the Commissioner's Historic Achievement Award; his wife, Vera, accepted on his behalf.[30] The stadium also hosted the Century 21 Home Run Derby the previous evening; Ryan Howard, of the Philadelphia Phillies, won the title.[31] During the Derby, Howard and David Ortiz hit fly balls into the Allegheny River.[32]

Other events

In 2003, the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Duquesne Dukes began playing the annual "City Game" at PNC Park. The first game of that series, played on May 6, 2003, was the first collegiate game played at PNC Park.[33] Duquesne won the game by a score of 2-1.[34] The Panthers lead the PNC Park series against the Dukes three games to one, with the 2007 game cancelled due to poor field conditions. PNC Park has also hosted various concerts, most notably The Rolling Stones and Pearl Jam, in 2005.[35]

An evening game between the Dodgers and Pirates - August 7, 2001

Features

Playing surface and park dimensions

The playing surface in the park consists of natural grass.[1][36] The outfield fence ranges from a height of six feet in left field to ten feet in center field and twenty-one feet in right field, a tribute to former Pirate right-fielder Roberto Clemente who wore number 21.[2][37][21] The distance of the outfield fence ranges from 320 feet in right field to 410 feet in left center; the straightaway center field fence is set at 399 feet.[1][4] The Allegheny River is 443 feet and 4 inches from home plate.[1][2] On July 6 2002, Daryle Ward became the first, and to date the only, player to hit a home run into the river on the fly, when he hit a grand-slam off Pirates pitcher Kip Wells.[38]

Seating and ticket prices

During its opening season, PNC Park's seating capacity of 38,496 was the second-smallest of any major league stadium, the smallest being Fenway Park.[1][3] The majority of the seats, 26,000, are on the first level,[20] and the highest seat in the stadium is 88 feet above the playing surface.[1][2] In some sections seating is close to the playing field; at 52 feet, the batter is closer to the seats behind home plate than to the pitcher. Along the left and right field lines, seats are just five feet from the foul line.[37] Since opening in 2001, PNC Park's tickets have remained between $9 to $35 for general admission.[20][39][40] The stadium also includes 69 luxury suites and 5,558 suite and club seats, with prices currently ranging from $47 to $210.[37][40]

Eateries

The ballpark features a variety of local eateries, including Mrs. T's Pierogies, Primanti Brothers sandwiches, Quaker Steak and Lube, Benkovitz Fish, "Pop's Plaza" (named for former-Pirate Willie Stargell), and "Manny's BBQ," run by former catcher Manny Sanguillén (who often signs autographs for fans waiting in line).[37][41] Fans may bring their own food into the stadium, a rarity among the league's ballparks.[37] Prior to the 2008 season, the Pirates created an all-you-can-eat section, in the right field corner, for games played from Sunday through Thursday.[25] This section allows fans seated in the section "unlimited hotdogs, hamburgers, nachos, salads, popcorn, peanuts, ice cream and soda" for the entire game.[42]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "PNC Park". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "PNC Park at North Shore". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e "PNC Park". The Fields of Major League Baseball. Ballparks of Baseball. Retrieved 2008-04-06. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e f "PNC Park". Baseballparks.com. Retrieved 2008-04-11. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  5. ^ "Plan B". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  6. ^ a b Dvorchak, Robert (1998-06-21). "A TD for Plan B". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ a b Barnes, Tom (1998-07-10). "Plan B approved: Play ball!". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  8. ^ Cook, Ron (1998-06-22). "Plan B flawed; option is worse". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  9. ^ Barnes, Tom (1998-02-11). "Arena won't be part of Plan B". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  10. ^ "New Pirates Ballpark to Be Named PNC Park; Alliance Meets Needs of Pirates and Region and Helps Forge National Brand for PNC". PRNewswire.com. 1998-08-06. Retrieved 2008-04-21. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  11. ^ Dulac, Gerry (1998-09-28). "Football stadium architect selected". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  12. ^ "PNC Park". HOKsve.com. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  13. ^ a b Bouchette, Ed (2001-04-15). "Technology park". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  14. ^ Barnes, Tom (1999-04-08). "City, Pirates break ground for PNC Park with big civic party". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-11.
  15. ^ a b c d e Robbins, Jim. "PNC Park / Pittsburgh Pirates". Ballpark Visits. BallparkDigest. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  16. ^ a b McKay, Jim (2001-04-15). "Workers proud of what they have wrought". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-20.
  17. ^ Chronicle Consulting. "Sports & Exhibition Authority of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County Facility condition survey and inspection for PNC Park and Heinz Field". ChronicleConsulting.com. Retrieved 2008-04-21. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 66 (help)
  18. ^ Caple, Jim. "Pittsburgh's gem rates the best". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-04-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  19. ^ Caple, Jim. "Pittsburgh's gem rates the best". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2008-04-03. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  20. ^ a b c d "PNC Park Gets Rave Reviews". ThePittsburghChannel.com. 2001-02-21. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  21. ^ a b Pratt, Devin. "Top Stadiums: Pittsburgh's PNC Park". Men's Fitness. Retrieved 2008-04-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  22. ^ Langosch, Jenifer (2008-04-02). "PNC in Men's Fitness top 10 stadiums". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  23. ^ "PNC Park becomes smoke-free facility" (Press release) (in Englis). PittsburghPirates.com. 2007-03-20. Retrieved 2008-04-19. ... PNC Park will now be a completely smoke-free facility.{{cite press release}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
  24. ^ a b Belko, Mark (2008-04-04). "Pirates show off park features". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  25. ^ a b c d e Langosch, Jennifer (2008-04-03). "Offseason face-lift complete at PNC". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved 2008-04-05. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. ^ "Pirates launch greening initiatives program at PNC Park" (Press release). PittsburghPirates.com. 2008-03-11. Retrieved 2008-04-21.
  27. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates host 2006 All-Star Week, including 77th MLB All-Star Game" (Press release). Major League Baseball. 2006-04-28. Retrieved 2008-04-09.
  28. ^ Eagle, Ed (2006-07-12). "Young rallies AL to victory". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  29. ^ "All-Star Game History". BaseballAlmanac. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  30. ^ Bloom, Barry M. (2006-07-12). "Baseball honors Clemente". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  31. ^ Bloom, Barry M. (2006-07-10). "Howard powers way to Derby crown". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-04-08. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  32. ^ Briggs, David (2006-07-10). "Pirates of the Allegheny". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-04-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  33. ^ "Pittsburgh Baseball Falls to Duquesne, 2-1, at PNC Park". PittsburghPanthers.com. 2003-05-06. Retrieved 2008-04-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  34. ^ Fittipaldo, Ray (2003-05-07). "Pitcher's big-league effort lifts Duquesne past Pitt, 2-1". Duquesne/Atlantic 10. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-05-13. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  35. ^ "The Rolling Stones concert information" (Press release). PittsburghPirates.com. 2005-09-27. Retrieved 2008-05-14.
  36. ^ "Sod Installed At PNC Park". ThePittsburghChannel.com. 2000-10-30. Retrieved 2008-04-10. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  37. ^ a b c d e Powell, Kimberly. "Baseball Fan's Guide to PNC Park". About.com. Retrieved 2008-04-10. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  38. ^ Stats Inc. "Daryle Ward Scouting Report". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2008-04-10. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  39. ^ "PNC Park Info". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved 2008-04-11. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  40. ^ a b "PNC Park Seating Chart - 2008". PittsburghPirates.com. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  41. ^ Jones, Diana Nelson (2001-04-15). "Buy me some peanuts and uh, sushi?". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-19. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  42. ^ Batz Jr., Bob (2008-04-03). "At PNC Park, 'All-You-Can-Eat' seats". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved 2008-04-07. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to PNC Park.
Preceded by Home of the
Pittsburgh Pirates
2001 – present 		Succeeded by
Current
Preceded by Host of the All-Star Game
2006 		Succeeded by


40°26′49.15″N 80°0′21.58″W / 40.4469861°N 80.0059944°W / 40.4469861; -80.0059944

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