While visiting the city of Pittsburgh, consider catching a Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball game. Featured below is background information for Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball and ticket purchasing options. Please call our sponsor at 1-888-529-5800 for more information and additional details. Thanks for stopping by and supporting AARoads.com.

Pittsburgh Pirates Travel Information

The Steel City is home to Major League Baseball's Pittsburgh Pirates franchise. The Pirates lifeline begins on April 30, 1887 when the Pittsburgh Alleghenies play their first National League contest against the defending champion Chicago White Stockings. 10,000 fans saw Pittsburgh down the champs 6-2 at Recreation Park. Two years later the Alleghenies were renamed the Pirates after the signing of second baseman Louis Bierbauer away from the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1891 the Pirates moved into Exposition Park on the north shore of the Allegheny River. Several players from the former Louisville club were added to the Pirates including Honus Wagner in 1900 when Barney Dreyfuss, former Louisville owner, gains controlling interest of the Pittsburgh franchise. A National League pennant is won by the Pirates next season behind the bat of Wagner.

A second National League crown is won in 1902 after a 103-36 record by the Pirates. Next season Pittsburgh plays in the first World Series versus the Boston Americans. The Pirates lose however five games to three. In 1909 Pittsburgh debuts Forbes Field, the first ballpark completely constructed with concrete and steel. The venue becomes home of the World Series champions that season at Pittsburgh wins its first Fall Classic over the Detroit Tigers. Other highlights of the era include the first on-air broadcast of a Major League baseball game by Pittsburgh's own KDKA in 1912.

Forbes Field was the Pirates home between 1909 and 1970. The stadium closed its doors to baseball on June 28, 1970 after a double-header sweep over the Chicago Cubs. The 1968-70 constructed Three Rivers Stadium opens on July 16. The multi-purpose facility would become the home for both the Pirates and NFL Pittsburgh Steelers. The Pirates would win their fourth World Series title just nine years later behind the bat of Willie Stargell against the Baltimore Orioles.

The largest crowd in Pittsburgh baseball history at 59,568 turns out for the 1994 All-Star Game played at Three Rivers Stadium. The Pirates were purchased by Kevin McClatchy and his group in 1996, thus preventing the team from departing the Steel City. By 1999 a new baseball-only facility is under construction. The new venue, PNC Park, opens in 2001 along the north shore of the Allegheny River. The 6th Street Bridge is renamed the Roberto Clemente Bridge.

The Pittsburgh Pirates play their home games at PNC Park near Downtown Pittsburgh. Easy access to both PNC Park and Heinz Field is provided via Interstate 279, the Roberto Clemente Bridge, and North Shore Drive.

PNC Park - Home of the Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park resides at 115 Federal Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212 and has a capacity of 37,898. Built between 1999 and 2001, PNC Park is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since their birth in 1887. Constructed along the north shore of the Allegheny River, PNC Park resides close to where Three Rivers Stadium once sat. The Steelers home of Heinz Field is situated just west of the baseball facility. A riverwalk links the two facilities.

Views of PNC Park. The Pirates formerly played at Three Rivers Stadium, which was imploded and removed. The views show the exterior of the ballpark, the facade, the inside of the park as seen from the Outback Steakhouse located within the park, and the left field entrance. Photos taken 10/8/01.

PNC Park is a beautiful venue with rhythmic archways, steel trusswork, and a grass playing field. Views from the stadium are intimate for baseball fans. The skyline and adjacent Allegheny River bridges are visible as PNC Park resides along the riverfront. A walkway and open area between the park and nearby Heinz Field is dubbed the Roberto Clemente Memorial Park. The riverwalk and nearby Roberto Clemente Bridge allow pedestrians easy access to the facility. The bridge closes during game days to vehicular traffic.

The two-deck design of PNC Park is the first of its kind since the 1953 opening of County Stadium in Milwaukee. The highest seat is just 88 feet from the field. Situated in the outfield concourse area is Outback in the Outfield, a steak house part of the Outback chain that overlooks the city and field. The restaurant remains open during the off-season. The outfield wall itself rises 21 feet behind right field in honor of Roberto Clemente's number 21.

Directions to PNC Park:

	From the south, take Interstate 279 (Duquesne Bridge) northbound to Exit 7A (North Shore). Exit 7A consists of an off-ramp onto Reedsdale Street at Art Rooney Avenue. Heinz Field and PNC Park both reside along North Shore Drive. Follow the signs to the Heinz Field (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and PNC Park parking areas from there. Photo taken 10/01.
	From the north, take Interstate 279 southbound to Exit 7A (North Shore). Visible in the background is Heinz Field itself. Again Exit 7A consists of an off-ramp onto Reedsdale Street ahead of Art Rooney Avenue. Heinz Field and PNC Park both reside along North Shore Drive. Follow the signs to the Heinz Field (home of the Pittsburgh Steelers) and PNC Park parking areas from there. Photo taken 10/01.

Pittsburgh Pirates Tickets

PNC Park Seating Chart

Pittsburgh Area Road Links

• Pittsburgh @ AARoads.com
• Pittsburgh @ PAHighways.com
• The SWPA Roads Project @ Gribblenation.com

Page Updated August 19, 2004.