Pennsylvania ballparks 


My sports blog is going to focus on my own experiences going to different major league ballpark across the country. I have been to a total of fifteen different major league ballparks. My first blog entry will focus on the three Pennsylvania stadiums that I have been to.

Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was the first ballpark that I went to. Growing up a sports fan in Western Pennsylvania, Three Rivers Stadium was the place to go. The Pirates and Steelers were two of the most successful franchises in sports in the 1970's. My first game was in the early 1980's when I was about six or seven years old. My dad and I went to over 100 games together in the '80's and '90's. Even though the Pirates were bad for most of that time, I will always treasure my time spent at Three Rivers Stadium.

Three Rivers Stadium was built in the early 1970's and was more conducive for football. While every Steeler game was sold out, the Pirates often played in front of crowds that were about one-tenth of the capacity of the stadium, especially in the mid-'80's. The stadium had six levels which meant that there were many seats in which you could not see the entire field, especially in the upper deck. Three Rivers was among many multi-purpose stadiums that were built around the same time, and they all pretty much looked the same.

Going to the stadium was a good time for young and old. There were many different games and activities to do while you walked around the stadium. My favorite was a pitching cage in which you could guess the speed of your own pitch and win a prize. The food was excellent as well and had a lot of local favorites, which included Primanti Brother's.

My favorite memories of the stadium include the playoffs in 1990-1992. I went to nearly every home playoff game with my dad during those years. Even though the Pirates lost each year, the memories will always stay with me.

Moving across the state to Philadelphia was Veteran's Stadium. This stadium, like Three Rivers, no longer exists. The two stadiums were built around the same time and had a very similar look and feel. I had taken a weekend road trip there to see the stadium in the late 1990's and got to see the Phillies take on the Boston Red Sox. Interleague play was still in its infancy, so this was my first look at an interleague matchup in person.

Even back then, I had a desire to be a sports broadcaster. My favorite aspect of this ballpark was a booth that they had set up in which you could do play-by-play of a half inning (or even an entire game, if you had enough money). Obviously it wasn't broadcast over the air, but they made a recording of it and gave it to you. That was a really fun experience.

My favorite ballpark in Pennsylvania is, without a doubt, PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Built in 2001, it is smaller and much more beautiful than Three Rivers was. It has an old time feel to it. From the Clemente Wall (the 21 foot wall in right field in honor of the greatest right fielder in history) to the North Side Notch (an area in left center field in which the fence juts back away from home plate) to the view of the Pittsburgh skyline, PNC Park is one of the most unique and most beautiful ballparks in America. Adding to its uniqueness is its Pierogi Race every fifth inning and a playground behind right field for parents to take any restless kids that just can't sit still for three straight hours.

My favorite memory of this ballpark was October 1, 2013. The Pirates had just made the playoffs for the first time in two decades and played the Cincinnati Reds in the wild card game. I have never been in a better environment for a sporting event. From the first pitch to the last, the stadium was electric. The Pirates won that game, and the memory of that game will be with me forever. I don't think I will ever have a similar experience at a sporting event (well, maybe if the Pirates make the World Series).