Kauffman Stadium / Royals Stadium

[soxnut67]

At one point in time. I used to like this ballpak alot, even tho it had fake grass. That was something I reallly hated and still do to this day.

But, as the years have gone by, I'm not into it.. I don't see Kauffman as this thing of beauty as I once did. I think it's overall shape looks kinda weird, but I don't hate it. I just prefer the more angular retro look.

Now that I've seen the model, I think it's going to look great and I'll probably like it a little more.

[Yankeefan90]

Kauffman is a nice stadium, but I don't see the reason why it's so praised. Yea I know it was different than the cookie-cutter concrete domes of it's era, but that doesn't mean it a beautiful ballpark. I think it's really a matter of opinion if you ask me, and my opinion of Kauffman is it's a strange looking ballpark that was just being unique for unique's sake. Although Kauffman was different than the ballparks of it's day, it was quite a generic looking building in terms of what they actually built during the 60's till the 80's.

[Sean O]

Yea I know it was different than the cookie-cutter concrete domes of it's era, but that doesn't mean it a beautiful ballpark. I think it's really a matter of opinion if you ask me, and my opinion of Kauffman is it's a strange looking ballpark that was just being unique for unique's sake.

No, and that's why nobody says they like it because it's different. People say they like it because it is a beautiful combination of heavy structural elements and the light, flowing waterfalls. Everything flows together, and the park is more 'of the earth' than nearly any in the world (similar, of course, to Dodger Stadium). The tapered points are both functional (as the lion's share of seats should be behind the plate) and beautiful, as they echo the juxtaposition between concrete and water by taking a strong structural element and lightening it up considerably.

Kauffman involves an actual appreciation of the site, the team, the city, and architectural principles. Its beauty is not derived from a kitschy external treatment, or phony retro theming, it updates what has worked for centuries for a new context.

Although Kauffman was different than the ballparks of it's day, it was quite a generic looking building in terms of what they actually built during the 60's till the 80's.

How on earth is it generic? You gotta explain yourself here. It was completely different from everything built during its time, and contains none of what made the cookie cutters reviled. Are you deriding the concrete bowl?

I can understand why people dislike Kauffman, but it is anything but generic. It actually solved the problems of making a great baseball park, something that HoK has all but ignored over the last two decades.

[nymTom]

Wow!! Mixing the old with some new and it worked and now that ballpark looks great. Kaufman was always a very unique original design and it looks like Hok's new elements blend in well. Good job. That stadium is in the top 5 no doubt!!!

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/...cf1978334.html

[64Cards]

I lived in KC for a few seasons, always thought Royals Stadium was overated. It does have great sightlines and is clean. I never thought the water fountains were a big deal...the first time you see them you think "ah, that's nice"...then you don't pay any attention to them. If you want to see nice fountains in KC, go to the Plaza. I'd much rather see bleachers out there in the outfield. The scoreboard with the crown looks corny, way outdated. Looks like a gigantic Burger King franchise along I-70. There is plenty of parking, no doubt, but unless you have the preferred season ticket parking, they direct cars all over the facility, like a rat going through a maze, till they finally herd the cars into spots.

The first rule of real estate is location, location, location. The location at I-70 and I-435 is a great spot for a mall or truck stop. But the place sits at the east end of the KC metro area, not centrally located. They would have been better off putting it in around downtown KC, where they could have had bars and restaraunts within walking distance, to add some atmosphere before and after the game. Speaking of atmosphere at a Royals game, the greatest excitement seems to come when they play the goofy dot race on the scoreboard.

I might add I love Arrowhead, the best football venue I've ever been in, except for Notre Dame. Tailgating goes with football and the huge lot works for that, plus the location doesn't really matter for football, since you only play 8 games a year, mostly Sundays at noon.

But hey, I love KC, great town, great people, Bryant's, Gates BBQ. Many great steakhouses. Strouds. Westport, the Plaza, Brookside, a lot of fun bars. I guess in regard to Royals Stadium I'm still pissed about the 9th inning, Game 6, 1985 WS.

[Elvis]

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[Elvis]

0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0

New $$$$ seats

[Elvis]

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[hsnterprize]

I lived in KC for a few seasons, always thought Royals Stadium was overated. It does have great sightlines and is clean. I never thought the water fountains were a big deal...the first time you see them you think "ah, that's nice"...then you don't pay any attention to them. If you want to see nice fountains in KC, go to the Plaza. I'd much rather see bleachers out there in the outfield. The scoreboard with the crown looks corny, way outdated. Looks like a gigantic Burger King franchise along I-70. There is plenty of parking, no doubt, but unless you have the preferred season ticket parking, they direct cars all over the facility, like a rat going through a maze, till they finally herd the cars into spots.

The first rule of real estate is location, location, location. The location at I-70 and I-435 is a great spot for a mall or truck stop. But the place sits at the east end of the KC metro area, not centrally located. They would have been better off putting it in around downtown KC, where they could have had bars and restaraunts within walking distance, to add some atmosphere before and after the game. Speaking of atmosphere at a Royals game, the greatest excitement seems to come when they play the goofy dot race on the scoreboard.

I might add I love Arrowhead, the best football venue I've ever been in, except for Notre Dame. Tailgating goes with football and the huge lot works for that, plus the location doesn't really matter for football, since you only play 8 games a year, mostly Sundays at noon.

But hey, I love KC, great town, great people, Bryant's, Gates BBQ. Many great steakhouses. Strouds. Westport, the Plaza, Brookside, a lot of fun bars. I guess in regard to Royals Stadium I'm still pissed about the 9th inning, Game 6, 1985 WS.

Here are some things you need to keep in mind though...

In this day and age where ballparks that have that "red brick, green chair" motif, Kauffman Stadium not only stands out, but stands out very nicely. The folks in KC aren't trying to build an "Oriole Park" there...they're trying to improve on something they've already got. Since you were in KC, I'm sure you already know that Kauffman and Arrowhead were built before the trend of building in downtown whereever with nearby bars and tourist attractions was en vogue.

Considering your avatar (Harry Caray), I'm assumiing you like the Cubs and Wrigley Field, which was built in a north side of Chicago neighborhood before it became "trendy". I'm not saying that to attack...I'm just saying that Wrigley's a unique place that draws "atmosphere" simply because of where it is, and not because of the team. I'm sure no one complained of a "lack of atmosphere" when the Royals were tearing it up and winning back in the 70's and 80's, were they?

Kauffman Stadium isn't supposed to be like Wrigley or any other place that supposedly has "atmosphere" as its selling point. It's a nice place, and I believe with the renovations, it'll be even better. The "Taste of KC" I'm sure will be a drawing point to some degree, but it's the responsibility of the Royals to put a winning product on the field in order to draw. That's the case with just about every team in MLB execpt for a few clubs. It's not like companies and housing developers are going to turn the area around Kauffman into a "Wrigleyville-style" neighborhood.

[64Cards]

Here are some things you need to keep in mind though...

In this day and age where ballparks that have that "red brick, green chair" motif, Kauffman Stadium not only stands out, but stands out very nicely. The folks in KC aren't trying to build an "Oriole Park" there...they're trying to improve on something they've already got. Since you were in KC, I'm sure you already know that Kauffman and Arrowhead were built before the trend of building in downtown whereever with nearby bars and tourist attractions was en vogue.

Considering your avatar (Harry Caray), I'm assumiing you like the Cubs and Wrigley Field, which was built in a north side of Chicago neighborhood before it became "trendy". I'm not saying that to attack...I'm just saying that Wrigley's a unique place that draws "atmosphere" simply because of where it is, and not because of the team. I'm sure no one complained of a "lack of atmosphere" when the Royals were tearing it up and winning back in the 70's and 80's, were they?

Kauffman Stadium isn't supposed to be like Wrigley or any other place that supposedly has "atmosphere" as its selling point. It's a nice place, and I believe with the renovations, it'll be even better. The "Taste of KC" I'm sure will be a drawing point to some degree, but it's the responsibility of the Royals to put a winning product on the field in order to draw. That's the case with just about every team in MLB execpt for a few clubs. It's not like companies and housing developers are going to turn the area around Kauffman into a "Wrigleyville-style" neighborhood.

Oh I agree, they're better off renovating the place, rather than spend a bundle on a place somewhere in downtown KC, which does have about as dead of a downtown area as any decent size city in the US. But a renovated Royals Park is only a bandaid solution to a franchise that really can't compete in the revenue gathering and big spending era of todays MLB.

The Royals were offered a golden opportunity about 10 years ago, when they re-aligned the MLB divisions and they could have gone into the NL Central, instead of Milwaukee. Which means they would have 7-10 home games per year with the Cardinals, who sell out the place every time they play an interleague series, with half the crowd being Card fans and also with the Cubs, always popular because of superstation WGN and also having a farm team for many years in Iowa, not a bad drive to KC. But the dummies in KC elected to stay in the AL, with the rational that they've always been an AL series and they want to preserve their "rivalry" with the Yanks, which has been non-existent since the early 80's. So they get 3 home games a year with NY, when they could have between 15-20 with the Cards and Cubs. Meanwhile the Brewers get the place packed whenever the Cubs come in and get very good crowds when the Cards play over a weekend. And the Royals are stuck in the AL Central.

[bigworm_122]

i just looked at the royals website to see if they had any updated pictures, they don't....

but they have put up 2 streaming webcams, fully controlable

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/ballpark/webcam.jsp

check it out

[bleacherbum73]

While it is a nice stadium, it is in the middle of nowhere. I've been there quite a few times since interleague started to attend Cards-Royals games. While the renovations are very nice they have done nothing to improve the area around it. Just acres of parking lots, a freeway, and a Denny's and a Taco Bell. I know the KC people like to tailgate, as i do to. But I only like it for football. The last thing I want to do is BBQ while on a sea of asphalt in the middle of July, in the midwest. I think having Arrowhead there is great. Great atmosphere, plenty of parking for tailgaters. But instead of spending 125 million on renovations, why not bulid a park in the city somewhere near bars, restaurants, things like that. Even if having a bad year you may still draw more. Or at least develop the area around Kaufmann.

[thechefs2003]

Does anybody know what happened to all the seats they ripped out down the outfield lines/bullpens? I'd love to get a few. When they did the switch from orange seats to blue seats a few years ago there was a company that was reselling them for like $30 a piece, but I couldn't figure out how to mount them at the time so I didn't buy them

[thechefs2003]

To answer my own question, I found this on the Royals website.....

You can get your own little piece of Royals history by purchasing a pair of authentic Kauffman Stadium seats! At the Royals Charities Store inside FanFest, Jan. 18-19 at the Overland Park Convention Center, we are selling pairs of stadium seats for $500 a pair with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Royals Charities. At FanFest, we will actually only have 15 pairs of seats present for fans to take home, so make sure you get there early if you really want those seats in your living room that weekend. Otherwise, we will continue to sell seats throughout the 2008 season out at Kauffman.


$500 seems a little pricey to me

[bleacherbum73]

$500 seems a little pricey to me[/QUOTE]

That's the same price that they sold seats from old Busch Stadium a couple of years ago. I think they sold 15,000 pairs. The rest couldn't be sold as a whole seat because you lose armrests as you dismantle them, so they sold seat backs and bottoms for 250.00, or an autographed seat back by all Cards Hall of Famers since the opening of Busch in '66 for 500.00.

[thechefs2003]

While it is a nice stadium, it is in the middle of nowhere. I've been there quite a few times since interleague started to attend Cards-Royals games. While the renovations are very nice they have done nothing to improve the area around it. Just acres of parking lots, a freeway, and a Denny's and a Taco Bell. I know the KC people like to tailgate, as i do to. But I only like it for football. The last thing I want to do is BBQ while on a sea of asphalt in the middle of July, in the midwest. I think having Arrowhead there is great. Great atmosphere, plenty of parking for tailgaters. But instead of spending 125 million on renovations, why not bulid a park in the city somewhere near bars, restaurants, things like that. Even if having a bad year you may still draw more. Or at least develop the area around Kaufmann.

I wouldn't say it's in the middle of nowhere. It is outside of downtown KC but it's not like it's out in the sticks. They built it there because it has easy access to two major highways (I-70 & I-435) therefore it's easier to get in and out fast. Downtown KC has always been dead. I kind of like having the acres of parking lots because you never have to worry about finding a space like you would in the city. I was actually glad they didn't build another HOK park in the middle of downtown. It's almost getting back to the point it was in the 70's with the cookie cutter stadiums all looking alike - where I can't tell the new parks apart from one another. They are all retro, all downtown, all with weird outfield angles, etc... To me, St. Louis doesn't look much different than Cincy or Philly or Atlanta or Denver or San Diego or the others....

[stlfan]

Here is the latest on the renovations. Sounds like things are going to be a mess for the next season and a half.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/roy...ry/482070.html

[thechefs2003]

Here is the latest on the renovations. Sounds like things are going to be a mess for the next season and a half.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/roy...ry/482070.html

Yep I agree. I've been checking the webcam everyday. I'm not sure how they are going to get everything cleaned up in time for opening day, cause it looks like a big mess at the moment.

[Lafferty Daniel]

The only thing I don't like about the remodeling is the outfield. I know they've made it more corporate the last few years by adding Dodge Trucks and what not, but now it looks way too busy. The green grass with waterfalls was perfect. It was simple, unique, and fit in nicely.

[thechefs2003]

The only thing I don't like about the remodeling is the outfield. I know they've made it more corporate the last few years by adding Dodge Trucks and what not, but now it looks way too busy. The green grass with waterfalls was perfect. It was simple, unique, and fit in nicely.

I couldnt agree more

[Monarch]

When is all of the work scheduled for completion in KC? I need to schedule a trip to see a ballgame and the Negro League Museum.

[thechefs2003]

When is all of the work scheduled for completion in KC? I need to schedule a trip to see a ballgame and the Negro League Museum.

Not till opening day of 2009.

[thechefs2003]

From the Royals website....


A New View - Opening Day 2008
Fans will enjoy a state-of-the-art Crown videoboard and auxiliary LED videoboard in the leftfield outfield wall. A larger version of the Kauffman Stadium's signature Crown will feature the largest replay system in Major League Baseball on one of the largest videoboards in the country-All in High-Definition! The new outfield wall LED board will display out of town scores and highlights creating a whole new expanded game entertainment experience.

Other Renovations completed by April 2008
Expansion of seating in both the Crown Club and Dugout Suites.
Renovation of the existing Crown Club lounge
One circular ramp on each side will be removed
Two Stair Towers will be constructed at each end of the stadium
The current facilities behind home plate (including Royals Front Offices) will be evacuated with completion of a new building set for February of 2009

2008 In-Season Projects
Work in Dugout Concourse will begin -- one side shut down for first half of season, the other side for the second half
New Plaza Level Concessions and Restroom construction begins
Exterior work continues to widen concourses on all levels
Outfield Plaza work continues - From foul pole to foul pole, the entire area behind the outfield wall will be shut down for the beginning phases of the 360 degree connection.

2008 Off-Season Projects
The final transformation from old to new will take place during the 2008 off-season. Upon completion, Kauffman Stadium will finally become a true 360 degree experience.
View Level Food Court construction
View Level restrooms and concession upgrades
All New Stadium Graphics and Signage
Site work with exterior lighting and landscape
Press Box and Broadcast Booths constructed
New Triple Crown Suites (10 behind homeplate) and Signature Suites (14 total)
Four Group Party Suites
Loge Level concourse and concession renovation
Stadium Club Renovation
Creation of Diamond Club
Hall Of Fame and party facility in left-field
Public Restaurant in Rightfield
Little K and Interactive area in left-field
Taste of KC picnic Area in right-field
New Team Pro Shop behind homeplate

Opening Day 2009 -- GRAND RE-OPENING
The modern classic beauty of Kauffman Stadium returns in full force ready to welcome millions of Royals fans for years to come.

[NYBase]

This is awesome. This was already one of the most charming parks in the league... now it only gets better

[willisraverchk77]

Since they are converting the current press area into suites, where will the new press box be built? Lower deck or View level?