Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a 43,302-seat baseball-only stadium in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania that opened on April 3, 2004 and hosted its first regular
season baseball game on April 12. It was built to replace the now-demolished
Veterans Stadium (a football/baseball facility) and is the home of
the Philadelphia Phillies baseball team. The ballpark features natural
grass and dirt playing field. There are many Philly style food stands
there including some that feature cheesesteaks, hoagies and other
regional specialties. Behind center field is Ashburn Alley, named
after Phillies great and Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn, a walkway featuring
restururants and memorabilia from Phillies history, along with a restaurant
bar and grille called "Harry The K's" named after Hall of
Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas. This area opens two-and-a-half hours
before the scheduled first pitch, much like Eutaw Street at Oriole
Park at Camden Yards via the Left Field Gate. More on Ashburn Alley
can be found below.
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Citizens Bank Park
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Facility statistics
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Location
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One Citizens Bank Way
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19148-5248
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Broke ground
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June 28, 2001
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Opened
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April 3, 2004
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Owner
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Philadelphia Phillies
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Operator
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Comcast-Spectacor Global Spectrum Division; Philadelphia Phillies
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Surface
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Kentucky Blue Grass
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Construction cost
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$346 million
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Architect
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Ewing Cole Cherry Brott (Philadelphia); HOK Sport (Kansas
City)
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Former names
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none
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Tenants
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Philadelphia Phillies (2004-present)
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Seating capacity
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43,500 (2004-2005)
43,302 (2006)
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Dimensions
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Left Field - 329 ft (100.3 m)
Left-Center - 374 ft (113.4 m)
Left-Center (deep) - 390 ft (118.9 m)
Left of Center Field - 409 ft (125 m)
Center Field - 401 ft (122 m)
Right-Center (deep) - 398 ft (121 m)
Right-Center - 369 ft (112.5 m)
Right Field - 330 ft (100.5 m)
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Ballpark Attractions
Ashburn Alley
Centered by a statue of Richie Ashburn, the legendary ballpayer and broadcasater for the club, this area features:
- All-Star Walk — Granite markers pay tribute to Phillies players that have played in the MLB All-Star Game since its inception in 1933 and runs the length of the Alley.
- Bull's BBQ — Located at the eastern end of the Alley, it is named in honor of and owned in part by former Phillies outfielder Greg "The Bull" Luzinski. This southern-style barbecue features ribs, turkey legs and pork and chicken sandwiches.
- Games of Baseball — Sponsored by Citizens Bank, this interactive area features a giant baseball-themed pinball machine, a run-the-bases game with the Phillie Phanatic, and a "Pitch 'Em and Tip 'Em" game where you can throw at moving targets of catcher Mike Lieberthal. Players earn coupons and exchange them for prizes at a kiosk such as hats, shirts and other ballpark-imprinted memorabilia.
- Harry The K's Bar and Grille — Named for Phillies legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas, the bi-level bar and grill is built into the base of the scoreboard, and serves finger foods and sandwiches.
- Memory Lane and Wall of Fame — A history of baseball in Philadelphia is located behind the brick batting eye in center field, while the opposite wall commemorates members of the franchise who contributed to the franchise's history. It was in this area where Ryan Howard hit the stadium's longest home run — guesstimated to be 498 feet — on April 23, 2006.
- Rooftop Bleachers — Inspired by the 1920's and 1930's stands on North 20th Street outside Shibe Park, this area replicates the seating similar to that outside Wrigley Field in Chicago. During rhe 2006 season, fans can go on top for $12 on Thursday home dates and get special food offers and events including a plastic pint glass.
- Starting Lineup — The Phillies starting lineup that day is illustrated by giant baseball cards as fans enter the Left Field Gate.
