PNC Park is the home of the MLB team the Pittsburgh Pirates and is located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The venue opened after the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium was destroyed by a controlled implosion. The field is sponsored largely by the locally based PNC Financial Services. PNC Park is a beautiful ballpark that features natural grass and seating for just shy of 40,000 fans, making it the second smallest capacity of any Major League park, ensuring you'll get an intimate baseball experience at the field. That also helps to make PNC Park tickets higher in demand. The field sits on the North Show of Pittsburgh and offers great views of downtown Pittsburgh while in and around the stadium.
The planning of the ballpark stated in the early 1990s and was finally finished in 2001. PNC Park was built with the idea of emulating "classic" stadiums such as Boston's Fenway Park. Some great features of the park are limestone uniquely used in the building's façade, a river concourse, steel truss work and an elaborate out-of-town scoreboard and dining options from many local eateries. The stadium was built in record time and was completed in just 24 months. With such great reception of the ballpark, different elements of PNC Park were used in the design of the New York Mets home
Despite being the new kid on the block, so to speak, PNC Park has quickly become a fan and media favorite and is noted to be one of the best ballparks in the country. ESPN.com writer Jim Caple personally ranked PNC Park as the best stadium in Major League Baseball with a score of 95 out of 100. The Pittsburgh Pirates offer the third-cheapest average ticket prices of any MLB stadium, allowing more fans to come out and catch a game. The presence of the stadium has also helped to bring more business to the surrounding area establishments. A notable event that occurred at PNC Park was the 2006 MLB All-Star Game, which was the first All-Star Game and PNC Park and the fifth All-Star game held in Pittsburgh. The Century 21 Home Run Derby was also played at PNC Park and Ryan Howard of the Philadelphia Phillies took home the title. During the Derby, multiple homers hit balls into the Allegheny River. PNC Park tickets are available now.
The ballpark has been progressive throughout its existence so far. In 2007 when Allegheny County passed the ban on smoking, PNC Park went completely smoke free. The Pirates have also announced their commitment to making the park more environmentally friendly by incorporating green initiatives, sustainable business practices and educational outreach.
