Blair County
Ballpark
Altoona, PA
Team: Altoona Curve
Affiliation: Pittsbgh. Pirates
Capacity: 7,210*
Completed: 1999
Year First Visited: 1999
Video


*Up from 6,100 in 2003

Okay, so I'm a little biased on this one.  This is the park that got me started on this whole hobby.  I also happen to have been born and raised in Altoona, and I've been to more games in this park than any other.  So maybe my views are swayed a bit by that, but I think that this is one of the best ballparks in the Eastern League, and I'm not the only ballpark fan who thinks so.  

When you drive to the park, the first thing you see is the beautiful brick facade (see above).  There are some who compare it to Camden Yards, but the real inspiration for this design is the railroad "roundhouses" that used to be prevalent in Altoona, back in the heyday of rail travel.  In fact, few people outside of the area are aware that Altoona's railroad tradition is responsible for the team name.  The name "Curve" is actually inspired not so much by the curve ball so much as by the Horseshoe Curve, a famous local historical railroad attraction.  

The park features a double deck design, something quite rare in minor league parks at any level, but particularly below AAA.  The two decks make the park feel much bigger than its capacity of 7,210.  Because there are two decks, there are also two concourses, one behind the upper deck seats, and an open concourse behind the last row of seats in the lower deck.  

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the park, however, is the giant roller coaster that sits just beyond the right field fence.  The wooden behemoth belongs to neighboring Lakemont Park, and adds and gives the park a signature look few minor league parks have.  Occasionally the team mascot, Steamer, will hitch a ride.  

The year 2003 brought new changes to Blair County Ballpark!  New additions to the park included a party deck, outfield seating, and a picnic area, increasing the seating capacity from 6,100 to 7,210. 

The park was a hit when it first opened, and fan response has only gotten better since then, as the Curve has broken its own attendance record every year since the team started in 1999.  And the enthusiasm does not end with the fans.  Virtually every minor league player or coach I've spoken to names Altoona as one of his favorite parks.  Even the major league Pirates were pumped up about it.  When they came to town to play their "little brothers" in an exhibition game on May 15, 2000, they were duly impressed.  Catcher Jason Kendall said that they ought to move the park to Pittsburgh so they could play in it instead of at Three Rivers.  It would not be an exaggeration to say that at the time, Altoona had a better ballpark than they had in Pittsburgh.  While that is no longer the case with the advent of the Pirates' tremendous new ballpark, this is still a fun place to visit for fans and players alike. 

The bottom line:  Admittedly, I'm a bit biased with this being my home town and all, but I think that the uniqueness, the view, and the overall atmosphere at Blair County Ballpark earns this place an excellent rating.