New ballparks debut in San Diego, Philadelphia

Incorporating old school features such as an aged brick warehouse and rooftop bleacher seating, the first pitches were thrown in San Diego's PETCO Park and Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park last month, as the 2004 Major League Baseball season got under way.

With Antoine Predock as design architect and HOK Sport+Venue+Event as executive architect, San Diego's 42,455-seat ballpark encompasses a renovated former metal supply building down its leftfield line. Just beyond the $294 million ballpark's outfield fence is a 2.7-acre "Picnic Hill" park, which accommodates lawn seating and is used for special events on non game days.

The park's natural sandstone and stucco exterior evoke the cliffs of nearby Torrey Pines along the city's picturesque northern coastline.

Among Citizens Bank Park's 43,500 seats, Architect EwingCole, with HOK SVE, designed in rooftop seating atop Ashburn Alley, an entertainment area bordering centerfield, which is named after Phillies legendary centerfielder of the 1950s Richie Ashburn.

Sure to create havoc for outfielders and opportunities for extra base hits, a segment of the outfield wall called the "Angle" turns inward and tapers.