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Opened: April 9, 2001
Capacity: 38,362
[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]I am a Pirates fan. I think this is the best park in the majors. I’ve been out for at least one game every year since the park opened. I’ve been here for sellouts and for sparsely attended games and I enjoy coming to Pittsburgh. There have been quibbles with the Pirates and well, the product on the field has not been that great but I am a Pirates fan and at this point I can’t jump ship.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”2″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1514556768699-e1e41ba8-2bb8-10″ include=”4652,4653,4654,4655,4656,4650,4657,4651,4658″][vc_column_text]
How did I get there?
I drive the Turnpike out usually. I’ve tried going south and taking I-70 and I-68 and then up I-79. While cheaper that adds about one hour to the trip so I don’t know if it is worth it. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. I’ve parked numerous places while here, from up the Allegheny River where you could park on the street for free (can’t do it anymore) to the North Side lots and garages to downtown. My dad had a friend who lived in Etna so we would stay with him sometimes, so I’ve come in on both I-376 and PA 28 and parking in the lot of an electrical company was not only cheaper but more convenient as well. Since he’s no longer there it doesn’t work as well now.
Ticket prices
For the product on the field one would figure that prices should be cheaper, at least through the losing streak. I’ve found that Pirates tickets are or at least were relatively cheap (for the major leagues). I’ve sat all over, from the outfield bleachers to the upper deck to the lower deck behind home (way in the back mind you). Nowadays they’re about $15 for the cheapest ticket and those are the metal bleachers in the outfield. If I get them I prefer to stand instead.
Finding my seat and amenities
My biggest beef with the Pirates is that they seem to run on Island Time. They only open one Riverwalk gate when they open up and don’t tell anyone the others aren’t opening. It’s fine if you know this ahead of time but if you don’t the jokes on you. Then they don’t start running the concession stands until the rest of the park opens. You just sit there for an hour with only Manny’s BBQ, the Rita’s stand and the merchandise stand open. Lost revenue and one would figure that Bob Nutting would have figured this out by now.
In game experience
The Pirates have all the in game entertainment that everyone else does, from trivia, to ask the Pirates to the pirogies races. That’s not my thing. The on-field host has done that since the park opened and is good at his job. He also doesn’t look like he’s aged a day since either.
Getting out
This can be a pain in the butt, especially when construction is being done. I’ve found the easiest way for me to get out is to park downtown so I can get to the Parkway and get out. It is a lot of turns and Pittsburgh is a city that is not particularly well marked in places. With a 3+ hour drive it is nice to get a brief walk in though.
Wrap
If I lived about an hour closer I would be here much more often. For me I have three major league options that are closer but I always enjoy getting out here. With numerous breweries open, including Pennsylvania’s first craft brewery, there is plenty for me to do and see.[/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Back to the National League” style=”3d” color=”black” align=”left” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Ftheworldneedsmorekevin.com%2Fbaseball%2Fnational-league%2F|||”][/vc_column][/vc_row]