Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Out to the ballgame
| PNC Park |
No matter how the team performs, the Pirates home field, PNC Park, will always be a winner when it comes to watching the game. The stadium, now entering its third season, continues to get rave reviews from fans as a special place to watch baseball.
After you pick a date for your game, you can review seating and ticket prices here at PittsburghLIVE.com.
Tickets are easy to order online from the Pirates. If you've got tickets to sell or if you're looking for tickets to buy, try PittsburghLIVE's StubHub. The site matches buyers to folks selling tickets they no longer want or need.
Although there are plenty of food choices at the ballpark, this year the Pirates are making it easier to take snacks and beverages into the ballpark. The new food and beverage/gate policies allow fans to carry soft-sided packs up to 16 inches by 16 inches by 8 inches in size.
The last step is planning your route and parking. The park's location on the North Shore is convenient for fans driving from the north, who can park in a number of North Shore lots. Fans from other regions can either drive over a bridge or find a parking garage downtown and then walk the Clemente Bridge right to PNC Park. Another option is to park at Station Square on the South Side and ride one of the Gateway Clipper Fleet shuttles to the game.
For a closer look at where you're heading, take a look at the ballpark through the PittsburghLIVE/iSight camera atop the D.L. Clark Building.
| Pirates to watch |
There is a buzz about the Pirates around Western Pennsylvania and for good reason. The days of incompetence and losing may be ending. Why? The Pirates are actually putting a product on the field that can compete in the National League Central. Here are five key players for the Pirates in 2003.
1. Jason Kendall - Kendall is important for two reasons. He was an all-star catcher three seasons ago and he makes more money on the team than anyone.
Kendall's numbers have regressed the past couple seasons but there is no reason they cannot return to the level that is expected out of the 28-year old catcher.
He has never been a power hitter but his swing might have been influenced by signing his multi-year contract. The expectations were high and Kendall tried to deliver something he is not capable of doing. He needs to go back to basics and do what he does best: Using the whole field, getting on base and scoring runs.
Kendall was very proficient at hitting the opposite way and he needs to return to that philosophy. With the added power to the lineup, it doesn't matter how many home runs he hits. It does matter that he scores 100 runs and returns to the .300 plateau (He hit .283 last season.) If he does, then people will stop talking about his hefty contract and talk about him being an All-Star.
2. Aramis Ramirez - Going into the 2002 season, A-Ram was ready to be a star. Unfortunately when he charged pitcher Ben Sheets of Milwaukee, that star fizzled out. Ramirez was hitting .347 when he seriously twisted his ankle in the pile-up at Miller Park. He never fully recovered. And the Pirates second best hitter was reduced to an average player.
If Ramirez can find a way to stay healthy (and away from the pitcher's mound), he has the potential to dominate the National League. More importantly, he can give the much-needed protection to Brian Giles in the lineup. It's amazing what Giles has done with basically nobody else a threat in the lineup. So an improved Ramirez could mean that Giles numbers could increase too.
Thirty-five home runs and 110 RBIs are realistic for the A-Ram - and necessary if the Bucs want to still be hanging around in August.
3. Randall Simon - The MVP is here. Yes, I know it is the MVP of the Detroit Tigers and that's not saying much, but he still was an MVP.
Simon is important because he is at a position where the production has been below what is needed to win. First base is a power position and Kevin Young just wasn't getting it done the last three seasons.
Simon brings in some great numbers from Detroit (.301, 19 HRs, 82 RBIs) and he is only 27. He should get better. Playing in PNC Park with the short fence in right field will only help his numbers.
The Pirates hitting has been the problem since the Bonds, Bonilla and Van Slyke days. Simon needs to be one of the solutions to that problem.
4. Kip Wells - Everyone wants to automatically give the number one moniker to Kris Benson, but Wells is in a better position to be "The Man" for the Bucs.
Remember, Benson has only pitched one season since his arm surgery. Anything the Pirates get from him should be considered a blessing. I truly feel he will be more of a factor in the second half of the season and in 2004.
Wells, on the other hand, is ready now to carry the load. He was the Pirates best starter last season and he did it over the whole season (3.58 ERA). If the Bucs can score some runs for him, he could be a 20-game winner. Last year, they didn't give him any help, which was reflected in his 6-12 record over his last 24 starts. However, his ERA was 3.47 during that stretch. For the season, the Pirates scored 3 runs or less in 16 of his 34 starts. That should change this season.
Wells' style is perfect for PNC Park. He has a legitimate fastball, but more importantly, a sinker that produces ground balls. With Pokey Reese and Jack Wilson behind him defensively and the high grass at PNC Park, Wells is poised to have a breakthrough season. His major flaw is allowing too many base runners (1.35 WHIP in 2003). His maturity could counter that this year.
5. Mike Williams - The Pirates MVP in 2002 set a major league record for the most saves for a team below .500. Mike Williams was almost perfect. He made sure the Pirates didn't lose leads and that could really mean something if the games actually mean something in 2003.
Williams is not your typical closer. He uses a slider as his out pitch instead of a fast ball, which is the preferred choice of most closers. One thing Mike Williams did in 2002 that he didn't do in his previous years with the Bucs: he stopped walking the tightrope.
Every time you saw Mike Williams came into the game, you knew it would be an adventure. He had the tendency to get into trouble by allowing numerous base runners and even though he got out of it more than not, it still was forcing Pirates' fans to grab the Tums and ask which direction the defibrillator was. But that trend was not evident in 2002.
The biggest reason for the turnaround was that Williams became mentally tougher, especially against the first batter of the inning.
If he can replicate the success of last season, he will help lead the Pirates to the promised land - above .500.
| Baseball terms |
Baseball is an inticate game which requires some explanation for anyone new to the sport. The Baseball Glossary and The Language of Baseball sites might help first-time spectators to better understand the action.
Below is a sampling of key terms from No Crying in Baseball.com.
| Baseball food |
Before you step into the ballpark for nine innings of baseball, music and snacks, a tailgate dinner on the grill is in order. Whether you are a tailgate novice or a master chef, these sites will steer you in the right direction.
AlansKitchen.com is a clearinghouse of recipes and information about tailgate cooking. You'll find all you need to know to make great dips, chili, main dishes, beverages and more on this site. There are even recipes for tailgate soups.
Serious tailgate cooks will also find a plethora of information at Tailgating.com. Grilled garlic toast, parking lot punch and Rob's No Mess Atomic Wings are just a few of the offerings.
In addition to the traditional hot dogs, hamburgers and veggie burgers of a basic tailgate, you could add Family Circle's Grilled Hot Sausages, Peppers And Onions to your feast. TennesseeHillbilly.com also has some recipes for good eats, including the Super Summer Sandwich Bar for 25.
If you're looking for something exotic to prepare, Allrecipes.com has a recipe for Grilled Teriyaki Tuna. There's also the Picnic Pasta Salad and, for dessert, Best Ever Chocolate-Free Blondies. You could also check out the Allrecipes.com barbeque page.
Better Homes and Gardens has plenty of ideas for spectacular tailgating. Check out the potluck basics and picnic recipes. The site also has suggestions on how to make your tailgate low-fat. And if you're looking for a refreshing beverage, you can start with the site's iced teas with flair page.
Finally, to make sure the food is fresh, About.com's Jim Walczak offers some food selection and storage tips for successful tailgate gatherings.
| America's pastime |
In no other sport is the history so rich as it is in professional baseball. Some of the rich tradition stems from the longevity of the sport, dating back to the 19th century.
One site that explores the sport's history is Baseball Almanac.com. It also has a calendar of upcoming events and explains baseball lingo, rules and scoring.
You'll find an article about the history of baseball at the History Channel. Another site, The Baseball Index, is a catalog to baseball literature. It includes books, magazine articles, programs, pamphlets, films, recordings, songs, poems, cartoons, advertising, and other items that may be of interest to fans and researchers.
Between the end of March and middle of October, a day never passes without some historical baseball landmark celebrating an anniversary.
Here are a few sites that showcase major moments in baseball history.
Baseball has roots that travel as far back as the Civil War. Since then, teams and leagues have formed their own spot in baseball history.
Despite never having had the chance to play integrated baseball, some of the greatest talents in the games history came from the Negro League.
During war time, many of the best baseball players were called off to war to defend their country.
In their absence, women started playing professional baseball. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was formed, and women's accomplishments are documented at the Baseball Hall of Fame. Although the leagues were relatively short-lived, they provided much-needed entertainment for the country, while also enabling women to feel the thrill of playing professional baseball.
For those fans who really miss the baseball of years past, Vintage Base Ball might be the answer. Most vintage base ball clubs in the VBBA play the game of base ball as it was played in the late 1850s, 1860s and 1880s.
With history playing such an important role in baseball, it only stands to reason that the Hall of Fame is held in higher regard than the other professional sports. From the first induction class that included Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb to the Class of 2003, Cooperstown, N.Y., holds a special place in the hearts of baseball fans - and its former players. MLB.com reviews each year's inductees. There is also a Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame & Museum.
With 30 ballparks to see in the United States and Canada, tourism is a fan favorite of domestic traveling baseball fans. Exhibits are a big part of the tourism - and an even bigger part of summer vacations. Baseball As America is one traveling exhibit. You can view tour dates here.
Card collecting has also been one of the most enjoyable pastimes for fans of baseball. From Honus Wagner to Barry Bonds, card collecting has been going on for over 100 years. Old baseball cards are always in demand, as are card exhibitions.
| Local players |
The list of baseball players from the western Pennsylvania area is extensive. A full list of players from all of Pennsylvania can be found at baseball-reference.com Here are just a few players from the region who made it to the major leagues:
| Aliquippa native Tito Francona | Hostetter native Lou Klimchock |
| Aliquippa native Doc Medich | Johnstown native Craig Grebeck |
| Callery native Ron Kline | Johnstown native Pete Vuckovich |
| Chartiers native Hall of Famer Honus Wagner | Kittanning native Mickey Morandini |
| Clairton native Lance Parrish | Butler native Matt Clement |
| Connellsville native Bob Bailor | McKeesport native Bill Robinson |
| Donora native Ken Griffey Sr. | Monroeville native Ken Macha |
| Donora native Ken Griffey Jr. | Mount Pleasant native Rich Rollins |
| Donora native and Hall of Famer Stan Musial | New Brighton native John Burkett |
| DuBois native Sparky Lyle | New Brighton native Jack Clark |
| California native Bruce Dal Canton | Russelton native Gene Tenace |
| Export native Bob Moose | Shenandoah native Nellie King |
| Fayette City native Jim Russell | Uniontown native Terry Mulholland |
| Grove City native Scot Thompson | Wilkinsburg native Dick Groat |
Pittsburgh natives
| Fields of dreams |
If you want to find baseball in the region, you've got plenty of options.
Western Pennsylvania is the home of three minor league baseball teams - all offering the relaxed, family-type atmosphere of minor league sports. Here is a brief history of each of the three minor league teams as well as the stadiums they call home.
The Washington Wild Things are a Frontier League team from Washington, Pa. The Frontier League is an Independent professional baseball league with teams located in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
The Wild Things, the defending Eastern Division champions, play their home games at Falconi Field in Washington.
The Erie SeaWolves began play in the New York/Penn League as the Class A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1995. The team adopted the name SeaWolves due to the city's proximity to the lake, the historical factors of Lake Erie and its relationship with the Pirates. In the English language, the word SeaWolves is synonymous with Pirates, individuals who commit or practice piracy. SeaWolves are robbers on the high seas.
Although the SeaWolves are now the Class AA affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, the franchise kept its original name and logo. The logo had changed for one season but fans and the general public voted the original logo back in after the 2000 season.
The Altoona Curve is the Class AA minor league baseball affiliate for the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Curve, who plays at Blair County Ballpark, was the result of the major league expansion of the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Altoona's first games were played April 10, 1999 in Reading, PA.
The region's major league team, the Pittsburgh Pirates, currently plays at PNC Park. However, the team has played at several other locations through the years:
| Baseball movies |
If you can't get to the ballpark just yet, here are some baseball-themed movies that could help tide you over until you find your stadium seats, hot dogs and popcorn.
Angels in the Outfield (1951 and 1994)
Two movies about baseball with the same name made 33 years apart display the differences in movie making and society.
The 1951 version is the story of Aloysius X. 'Guffy' McGovern (Paul Douglas), the cursing manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates who finds his team going downhill and reacts by swearing even more. Jennifer Paige (Janet Leigh) is the cub reporter who believes she knows why the team is faltering - McGovern's foul language. He soon begins hearing the voice of an angel telling him to cut the cursing. Meanwhile, an orphan girl who has been going to the games begins to see angels helping the team on the field. The moral: if we are good, heaven will provide real help. The film was shot in black and white, McGovern's curses sound like gibberish and we never really see the angels.
The 1994 version features the California Angels. A little boy named Roger, who has lost his mother and has been separated from his father, is the child seeing angels in this version. He is praying for help in living with a real family and for the team to win the championship. In this color version, Roger and the movie viewers are able to see the angels, done with a great deal of hi-tech effects. The manager believes Roger in this version and, with the help of the angels, they make it to the championship.
I prefer the 1951 version. The hi-tech angels with their slick moves in the 1994 version take away from the story. And the 1994 version did not feature Pittsburgh.
Eight Men Out (1988)
Baseball is a business. Never has that been made more painfully obvious to us than during the 1919 World Series. "Eight Men Out" is the story of the 1919 Black Sox scandal, the first black eye on modern baseball - and nearly the death of it.
The star-studded cast is a commentary on the strength of the original characters that were banned from the national pastime after being accused of fixing the 1919 Fall Classic between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds.
Frasier's John Mahoney plays Kid Gleason, the manager of the corrupted would-be champions. The eight members were tempted by the money that their tight-wad owner, Charley Comiskey wouldn't pay them. The problem was, the gamblers would pay them. All the players had to do was compromise themselves in the biggest moments of their lives.
Shoeless Joe Jackson (D.B. Sweeney) and John Cusack (Buck Weaver) weren't a part of the fix, but were banned for their knowledge of the transgression.
"Eight Men Out" shows baseball during its Golden Age and then at its darkest moment.
A League of Their Own (1992)
Girls who play baseball become real ballplayers in this hilarious yet touching movie set in the 1940's. The war is on, and professional ballplayers are called to fight. In their place, a league of women ballplayers steps up to entertain the country.
Tom Hanks stars as lovable oaf Jimmy Dugan, the washed-up alcoholic coach of the female team the Rockford Peaches. He initially shows little interest in the group, so star player Dottie Hinson (Geena Davis) takes charge. Dottie has only joined the team on the condition that kid sister Kit (Lori Petty), who is driven but not quite as talented, come along too. Kit's struggle in her sister's shadow is one of the more emotionally powerful parts of the film.
However, the movie really shines as a comedy. With Rosie O'Donnell, Madonna and Hanks taking the lead, the entire cast delivers plenty of memorable dialogue. Wisecracking baseball scout Ernie Capadino (Jon Lovitz) also steals many a scene with his rather insensitive banter.
Fantastic writing and acting take this movie beyond just a film about women in a man's world. Just like baseball, this movie is an American favorite that can be watched again and again.
The Sandlot (1993)
"The Sandlot" is a very familiar story to anyone who grew up in America's cities and suburbs in the 20th century. After all, we all played as children. Even if it wasn't baseball, you can relate to the camaraderie that is displayed between a tight-knit group of friends.
The film possesses many of the elements that were displayed by the classic 'neighborhood kids' movie - "Stand By Me". The actors were not as good in "Sandlot" but lovable nonetheless.
The baseball element is very positive as it reminds us of why we became fans and the awe we had for our heroes while we were growing up. In this case, Babe Ruth is the icon although you could place the story in any timeframe in American history and substitute Ty Cobb, Micky Mantle, Willie Mays or Barry Bonds.
Don't expect any Oscar performances or a script that will blow you out of the water. Expect a fun movie that will remind you that baseball was once America's Pastime and still brings out the child in everyone.
What has a better chance of success - a 35-year-old rookie pitcher, a feelgood story about the lowly Tampa Bay Devil Rays, or a live-action G-rated movie in this day and age? It all came together in the sleeper Disney hit "The Rookie."
Dennis Quaid takes the mound as Jim Morris, who broke into the Major Leagues in 1999 with Tampa. In real life, Morris had been drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1983 supplemental draft. Arm injuries sent Morris out of baseball by 1988, and he wound up teaching science and coaching baseball at Reagan County High School in Big Lake, Texas.
While pitching batting practice for his players, they complained his reconstructed left arm was too fast for them. He had actually improved on his speed, a feat that is almost unheard of in sports. He threw 87 mph when he was drafted. What he didn't know is he could now hit 98 mph on the radar.
To motivate his students, he made a bet: If his team wins the district championship, he would try out for a major league team. They succeeded, and so did he - at a tryout for the D-Rays, where he threw so hard for a man his age, the scouts were convinced their radar guns were broken.
Morris, who resembles more of a John Kruk than a Dennis Quaid, pitched two seasons in baseball before retiring in 2001 during spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Any regular guy that's ever dreamt of being on the mound in the big leagues will get a bit teary-eyed when he first races out of the bullpen at The Ballpark in Arlington, because you wish you were in his shoes. It's an inspirational message: You can always follow your dreams if you believe in yourself.
The story comes to video on August 27.
For more baseball movies, check out Baseball Almanac.com.
