PNC Park - Pittsburgh Pirates

PNC Park. My favorite major league ball park. Make that my favorite ball park PERIOD. Why? Maybe it's the view. Maybe it's the fresh cut french fries. Maybe it's the IC Light. Maybe because it's right in the heart of my favorite city. Maybe it's because I could see the fireworks from my Bloomfield Apartment. It's got it all.

PNC Park is home to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Unfortunately, they're the laughing stock of baseball. They traditionally build good players only to sell them off to bigger teams, like the Red Sox & Yankees for example. Many Pittsburgh natives blame the ownership and hold it against them by not attending the games. Tickets are always easy to come by, sometimes even given away, and the place rarely sells out.

But please, don't let this hinder you from checking out PNC Park. The beauty of the park and the skyline make up for the lack of love for the team. Go ahead, be a YINZER, and get the full FANHOOD experience!

• Unless the Pirates are playing the Cubs or Yankees or any other close by big name team, don't worry about getting your tickets ahead of time. Walk right up to the ticket counter the day of. There really isn't a bad seat in the house and you can't beat their ticket prices!



• Wear Black & Gold. A little white in there can't hurt either. If you're out of gear, head over to the Strip District where you can pick up Pirates gear cheap.




• Getting to PNC Park is an experience in itself. There's a few ways to do it.

1. If coming from the North, drive directly to the North Shore and park in any of the lots or parking garages.

2. Why drive? Stay right there at the Spring Hill Suites!

3. Park at Station Square on Carson St. and take the Gateway Clipper across the mighty Monongahela River. Only $5 and I hear they sell beer!

4. Park downtown and walk across the Roberto Clemente Bridge, crossing the Allegheny River. Often it’s closed to traffic on game days.

• Know who Roberto Clemente is. He was a hero. He played all 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the first hispanic MVP. In 1972 the aircraft taking him to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to earthquake victims crashed, taking his life all too soon.






• Pre-game, take a walk around the park and visit the various local establishments for some icy old beers. If it's nice out, the crowd will spill into the streets.



• Thirsty? Drink local. Iron City by the Pittsburgh Brewing Company will be on tap, or my favorite IC Light. I'm warning you, they didn't knickname it "Iron Shitty" for nothing. If you're looking for something darker, I recommend the Penn Pilsner by Penn Brewery. They have it on tap at the stadium also.




• Walk around the outside of the stadium. Take your picture with Honus Wagner.



• When you enter the stadium, take in the green grass as you ride the escalator up. Make sure you grab a program and score card!



• Walk around the inside of the stadium. If you have children, take them to the Kids Playland outside right field. Sundays they can run the bases after the game!





• Get your picture taken with Pirate Parrot, the Pirates mascot.




• If you're still thirsty, I recommend bottles. I've gotten funky tap beer numerous times from the concession stands here. You'd think I'd learn!



• Hungry? There's plenty! Some of my favorites:

1. Primanti Brothers - meat, fresh cut french fries, and coleslaw all smooshed between two thick slices of Italian bread. Trust me on this one people.

2. Quaker Steak & Lube - best french fries. Grab your family a bucket of wings... it'd stay away from the atomic sauce if I were you.

3. Manny's BBQ, located in center field. Honestly, I've never eaten it, but the line is so long it must be good! I know the smells sure are! Sometimes you can even catch Manny Sanguillen himself there working the register!

• Grab your seat and take it all in. Isn't this ball park BEAUTIFUL? Look at that skyline. Gorgeous.





• Watch the jumbotron. I LOVE jumbotrons, especially the one at PNC Park. It must be the sound system, it's just better than any other. Every time they go around the order is a different picture of the player. The graphics are great. Plus in between innings they'll play funny player interviews. I laugh every time.



• Listen to how people talk. Pittsburgh has a very distinct accent and even it's own language. "How are yinz doin? Takin in a game n'at? Where'd yinz park? Dahntahn?" You may want to study up.

http://www.pittsburghese.com/

• 7th inning. Time to stretch and pick your favorite pierogie. IT'S TIME FOR PIEROGIE RACES!!!



• Game is over. Hopefully you're celebrating a Bucs win... often times not. If it's a Saturday, stick around, enjoy the skyline and the fireworks display.


• Flood out into the streets and hit up any of the bars on the North Shore. If you're feeling adventurous, hit up Carson St. on the South Side. I recommend Fat Heads!

What's most important is to relax and enjoy yourself at PNC Park. Don't worry about a win or loss. Take in a night at the ball park with your family or your pals. It's one of the most inexpensive parks... but with the best view.

If you're in town but the Bucs are out, no worries. Head into the Outback Steakhouse for some food, drinks, and to watch the grounds crew take care of that green green grass!

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