Peoples Natural Gas Field facts for kids
|
B.C.B.
Curve, PA |
|
 .jpg) |
|
 Peoples Natural Gas Field
Location in Pennsylvania
Peoples Natural Gas Field
Location in the United States
|
|
| Former names | Blair County Ballpark (1999–2012) |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Record attendance | 10,164 (Baseball; Altoona Curve vs. Akron RubberDucks; August 26, 2023) |
| 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 baseball stadium in Altoona, Pennsylvania. It has 7,210 seats and opened in 1999. This stadium is the home field for the Altoona Curve baseball team. The Curve plays in the Eastern League, which is part of Minor League Baseball.
Contents
The Story of Peoples Natural Gas Field
Building a New Home
Work on the stadium began on March 7, 1998. Back then, it was called Blair County Ballpark. Minor League Baseball was growing, and two new teams joined the Eastern League in 1999. These teams were the Altoona Curve and the Erie SeaWolves. Altoona was chosen to host one of these new teams.
The first official baseball game at the stadium was on April 15, 1999. The Altoona Curve played against the Bowie Baysox and won 6–1.
Big Games and Records
When the stadium first opened, it could hold 6,176 fans. Before the 2003 season, more seats were added. This included new bleachers and picnic areas, bringing the total to 7,210 seats.
On July 12, 2006, the stadium hosted the Eastern League All-Star Game. A huge crowd of 9,308 fans came to watch. The biggest crowd ever at the stadium was 10,164 fans. This record was set on August 26, 2023. Fans came to see Paul Skenes play his first Double-A game for the Altoona Curve against the Akron RubberDucks.
A New Name for the Stadium
On January 31, 2012, the stadium got a new name. A company called Peoples Natural Gas made a deal to put their name on the stadium. That's how it became known as Peoples Natural Gas Field. The company also looked into using green energy at the stadium.
Cool Things About the Stadium
Unique Design and Views
Peoples Natural Gas Field has a special look. Its front entrance looks like an old railroad roundhouse. These buildings were common in Altoona's history. The stadium has two levels of seating. The lower level is called the Diamond Club. The main area with food stands and restrooms is behind these seats. It is covered by the upper seating levels.
One really cool thing about Peoples Natural Gas Field is the roller coaster right outside the stadium! This ride is called Skyliner. It's part of the Lakemont Park amusement park next door. You can also see the beautiful Allegheny Mountains from inside the stadium. Because of its amazing views, the ballpark was a runner-up in the "Best View in the Minors" contest in 2018.
The stadium is so unique that a video game, MLB 2K13, included a field that looks a lot like Peoples Natural Gas Field.
Where Everyone Sits
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
Gallery
-
The playing field of Peoples Natural Gas Field
-
Inside the seating area
-
The field from the third base side, with the Skyliner roller coaster in the background
-
The outside of Peoples Natural Gas Field
