PNC Park Stadium

PNC Park is located just north of the site of old Three Rivers Stadium, right on the Allegheny River across from downtown. The stadium houses the Pittsburgh Pirates, a Major League Baseball team. It 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. PNC Park has the seating capacity of 38,365, which makes it one of the league's smallest ballparks. Built at the cost of $216 million, PNC Park opened on March 31, 2001 .

After spending 30 years at Three Rivers Stadium, the Pittsburgh Pirates during the mid 1990's with the terrible economic situation in baseball demanded a new ballpark or they would move to another city. Bonds were approved for $216 million to build a ballpark for the Pirates in 1997. Designed by HOK Sport ( Kansas City ) and L.D. Astorino & Associates ( Pittsburgh ), the stadium was built with public money after a long political debate. The construction of the new ballpark began in April 1999. The ballpark was named PNC Park after PNC Bank bought the naming rights to the ballpark. On August 6, 1998 , Pittsburgh-based PNC Bank Corp. purchased the right to name the new Pirates ballpark " PNC Park " when it opens in 2001. PNC Bank, a financial services company is paying approximately $1.5 million a year and is scheduled to through the 2020 baseball season. The ballpark has 69 suites with their own concourse level, club seating at both the field and mezzanine levels with their own respective lounges, an outfield barbecue, an outdoor river terrace and river walk. Statues of Honus Wagner and Roberto Clemente are also erected outside the stadium to commemorate their contributions. The exterior of the ballpark is made of bricks, steel, and terra cotta tiled pilasters. Dramatic masonry arches along the home plate entryway, and a flat green steel roof adds to the retro look of the stadium. The archways lead to a public arcade. It is opened year round and features shops, restaurants, and a Pirates Hall of Fame.

The two level of decks stretch from the right field foul pole to homeplate and around to the left field foul pole. The highest seat will be just 88 feet from the field, giving every fan in the park an ideal sight line. The playing field is irregularly shaped and features natural grass. The outfield wall is constructed 21 feet behind the right field in honor of the Pirates legendary right fielder, Roberto Clemente who wore #21. An out of town scoreboard is part of the 21 foot high right field fence, in honor of Roberto Clemente. The outfield wall drops down to just six feet in front of the left-field bleachers. PNC Park also has Outback in the Outfield, a steakhouse restaurant with a party deck that fail to notice both the playing field and the city. From its north side site, the park provides a spectacular panoramic view of downtown Pittsburgh . There are 540 Field Club seats located on the lower section of the upper deck, and the press box, located at the top of the upper deck. Luxury suites are tucked between the lower and upper decks. In the outfield, fans can sit in the section of bleachers in left field. Here the fans can catch a homerun ball if it is not hit into the river. A 42 ft. by 24 ft. scoreboard video board is located behind the bleachers in left field.

PNC Park has two highly structured food courts; Smorgasburgh, which offers popular items from some of Western Pennsylvania 's favorite eateries and Pop's Plaza, which offers more traditional ballpark food. The fans can also enjoy the flavor at Vincent's Pizza and Atria's Restaurant, which are accessible from inside and outside PNC Park . A life-size imitation of a pirate ship contains virtual reality pitching and batting cages, rope courses and other games. Here the people of all age groups can come and enjoy

Parking is available in plenty on the stadium grounds, and around the area. Parking lots are available in the north of the stadium.