On our Pirates e-mail list, we had a discussion about what Forbes Field Landmarks were still in existence. Caleb Cohen (cohenc@dbisna.com) provided an excellent overview that I have edited, and included here with his permission.
Home plate is actually inside the Quadrangle building. This is the building across the street from the business school (the really ugly, reflective glass building). As far as I know, home plate is in exactly the same place--the building was "built" around it (OK, so the building was probably built and home plate put back in it's proper place). It's on the first floor, covered by a piece of glass so you can actually walk over it.
Actually, home plate should be in a near-by rest room (I forget if it was the men's or lady's room), but it was moved for obvious reasons!
Home plate is somewhat outside a restroom inside Forbes Quad and only rumors have said that it was originally inside of the women's restroom (and moved only because it was the men who wanted to see it). This is only a rumor and both the University and the Pirates deny it not being in its original spot. It is a rumor which is always going around campus, but never confirmed. As well, the home plate is NOT, I repeat, NOT the original (or final) one. That one is in the Pirate offices or somewhere (HOF?). The 'replica' has been stolen numerous times including my senior year (CAS '93). There is glass over it and the "path to third base" is a very long and wide hallway. We used to play softball on Mazeroski field (which lies in the area where his home run ball landed) and would come in and make throws to home from third and the like, including sending a runner and "throwing him out." Very fun to do on a tile floor!
For visitors, take Forbes to Oakland heading East - the Tower dorms will be on your left and you'll be 'driving' to the Cathedral of Learning. You'll come to a big intersection where the Cathedral lawn will start on the left after the intersection and the Student Union will be on your left before the light. Turn right here onto Bigelow Blvd. There is metered parking. Get out and go to the second building on your right (first is the library). Just go in the main doors and follow the hallway and watch the floor for home plate - you can't miss it.
When you're done inside the building, come out the main doors and look for "red bricks" in the walkway. The original path of the outfield fence lies in the ground. Trace the outfield wall and you will run across 2 plaques - one stating what the heck the red bricks are and a second marking the spot where the HR ball went out. Continue and you will run into a portion of the old wall that is still standing. You will see the old left-center field corner, complete with a distance marker ('457) incomprehensible by today's ball park standards, and one of the few "fair" flag poles. The wall still has ivy hanging on it. No matter what the weather, bring a camera, glove and a ball and shag fly balls against it. I have an awesome shot of me making a leaping catch of a ball near the top of the wall - it is a very tall wall - no over the wall catches possible! On the other side of the wall is "Mazeroski Field" where some little league teams play as well as where college students gather for some softball during the nice weather months.
Here are some maps to help out on your guided tour.
Here's an idea: Have the team and the city buy back that land from Pitt, tear down those monstrosities that were put up, and build Forbes Field 2.
Caleb's reply:
Around finals times that thought ALWAYS comes up ;)
Caleb
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