Peoples Natural Gas Field facts for kids
| B.C.B. Curve, PA |
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| Former names | Blair County Ballpark (1999–2012) |
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| Location | 1000 Park Avenue Altoona, PA 16602 |
| Coordinates | 40°28′25″N 78°23′41″W / 40.47361°N 78.39472°W |
| Owner | Blair County |
| Operator | Lozinak Baseball, LLC |
| Capacity | 7,210 |
| Field size | Left Field: 325 feet Left–Center: 365 feet Center Field: 405 feet Right–Center: 375 feet Right Field: 325 feet Fence Height: Mostly 8 feet but varies from 6 to 16 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | March 7, 1998 |
| Opened | April 15, 1999 |
| Construction cost | $20 million ($35.1 million in 2022 dollars ) |
| Architect | L. D. Astorino Companies |
| Services engineer | Loftus Engineers LLC |
| General contractor | Ralph J. Albarano & Sons |
| Tenants | |
| Altoona Curve (EL/Double-A Northeast) (1999–present) | |
Peoples Natural Gas Field is a cool baseball stadium in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1999 and can hold 7,210 fans. This stadium is the home field for the Altoona Curve baseball team. They play in Minor League Baseball.
How the Ballpark Started
The stadium was first called Blair County Ballpark. Construction began on March 7, 1998. More Major League Baseball teams were added in 1998. This created space for new Minor League Baseball teams.
Two new teams joined the Eastern League in 1999. These were the Altoona Curve and the Erie SeaWolves. Altoona was chosen over Springfield, Massachusetts. The first official baseball game was on April 15, 1999. The Curve won against the Bowie Baysox with a score of 6–1.
From 1999 to 2002, the stadium could seat 6,176 people. Before the 2003 season, 1,034 more seats were added. This included a new bleacher section and picnic areas.
The stadium hosted the Eastern League All-Star Game on July 12, 2006. A record 9,308 fans came to watch. The biggest crowd for a regular game was 9,255. This happened on August 10, 2003, during a doubleheader.
On January 31, 2012, the stadium got a new name. Peoples Natural Gas signed a deal, making it Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Cool Features of the Park
Peoples Natural Gas Field looks like an old railroad roundhouse. These buildings are common in Altoona. The stadium has two levels for seating. The lower level is called the Diamond Club.
The main area with food and restrooms is behind this section. It is covered by the upper seats.
This stadium is special because it has a roller coaster nearby! The ride is called Skyliner. It is part of the Lakemont Park amusement park next door. You can also see the Allegheny Mountains from inside the stadium. The beautiful view helped the ballpark win an award in 2018. It was a runner-up for "Best View in the Minors."
Seating Areas
The stadium has different types of seating for fans:
- Diamond Club: 1,634 seats
- Terrace level: 1,204 seats
- Grandstand level: 2,646 seats
- Outfield reserved: 744 seats
- Third-base picnic pavilion: 250 seats
- "Rail Kings" (on party deck): 40 seats
- Skyboxes: 292 seats
- Bleachers: 400 seats
Images for kids
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Infield of Peoples Natural Gas Field
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seating section
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Field at Peoples Natural Gas Field from third base side with the Skyliner roller coaster from Lakemont Park in the background.
