Forbes Field
Park Former Pittsburgh baseball stadium, historic landmark
Forbes Field was Pittsburgh’s early 20th-century ballpark, home to the Pirates and early Steelers. Sports-history visitors stop at plaques and preserved wall segments near Schenley Park.
Forbes Field was a major baseball and football stadium in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, first opened in 1909. It was the home park of the Pittsburgh Pirates and hosted University of Pittsburgh football for many years.
Built and opened in 1909, Forbes Field hosted major league baseball, college football and notable events through the first half of the 20th century. The Pirates and other teams left the venue in 1970; the stadium was demolished in 1971 and the land was subsequently redeveloped, including use by the University of Pittsburgh.
Located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood adjacent to the University of Pittsburgh campus; the former ballpark site is accessible from city streets and university grounds.
- Dates: Opened in 1909 and served as the home of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the University of Pittsburgh football team until its closure in 1970; the stadium was demolished in 1971.
What to See #
- Home plate marker: A metal plaque on the site marks the approximate location of the original home plate; it is set into the ground near the University of Pittsburgh campus where the stadium once stood.
- Outfield wall remnant: A short section of the original outfield wall and some foundation fragments survive and can be seen near the site redeveloped after the stadium's demolition.
How to Get to Forbes Field #
The historic site is located in Pittsburgh’s Oakland neighborhood near the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University; it is walkable from the campus core and accessible by local transit.
Tips for Visiting Forbes Field #
- Look for the brass markers and the remaining flagpole on the University of Pittsburgh campus-they mark portions of the old outfield.
- The site is in an active urban neighborhood (Oakland); combine a visit with nearby Carnegie Mellon or the Cathedral of Learning.
- There's no formal museum on-site-consult local historical societies or the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center for in-depth materials.
Best Time to Visit Forbes Field #
Anytime with good weather works; the site is an outdoor urban landmark best visited from spring through autumn.
Weather & Climate near Forbes Field #
Forbes Field's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -7°C to 30°C. Moderate rainfall (969 mm/year).
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -7°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm).
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February
February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -6°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).
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March
March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of -1°C. Regular rainfall (83 mm).
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain.
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June
June is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (98 mm).
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with 100 mm of rain.
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August
August is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (65 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm).
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm).
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