Author Spotlight
Avery Anderson
For my family, a staple of summers in Kansas City has been going to a Royals game at Kauffman Stadium right after my sister and I finished up our t-ball seasons. We would buy cheap nose-bleed tickets and slowly work our way down in the stands while eating hotdogs in the 98 degree Fahrenheit heat until we were right by the field. While I never fully understood the game — or paid enough attention to try and understand it — this was always one of my favorite nights of the summer.
With the recently confirmed plans to build a new Royals Stadium in either downtown Kansas City or Clay County, I fear that long-term fans are losing some of the charm that made those hot summer evenings worth it. Things like the fountains near the back of the field and the hall of fame just couldn’t be the same at a new field.
While I understand the need for a new stadium — especially given how outdated the current one is — I wish we could keep the old one in use purely for nostalgia.
In my most recent trip this summer to the stadium, I noticed the need for some repairs. The bathrooms were outdated and the seats in the stand were bleached a baby blue color. However, there’s a difference between repairs and relocation.
In my perfect world, the Royals would stick with their current stadium that guided them to the World Series back in 2015, while still making the necessary changes to update the building. A few coats of paint and some much-needed technological updates such as a better ticket system would keep the sentimentality of the stadium alive. Fans like myself who practically grew up on the playground behind the fountains eating Dippin’ Dots out of mini Royals helmets would be ecstatic to return to the stadium where they made these memories.
With updates and repairs, fans could also keep the location of the stadium which, in my opinion, is half of the experience. Driving through the neighborhood streets and past Swope Park on the way hoping you don’t get caught in traffic is yet another quirk of the current stadium.
A new downtown stadium would almost be too convenient for my taste. While a new stadium would eliminate the winding roads of the current drive and the parking lot might develop a better system, I would trade a slightly more confusing route over a new stadium any day.
I simply can’t live without the food, structure and sense of community that makes the current stadium a vital piece of my childhood.
I’m for updated current stadium it is part of Kansas City history & story. Im sure the downtown location will have addtional cost for people attending. That leaves alot of loyal fans unable to attend and like the concerts at Sprint Center ONLY FOR THE WEALTHY!
Save The K! Does anyone remember Municipal Stadium where the Royals played before the current stadium was built? It was on the east side of downtown and there was no parking. People who lived around the stadium would charge $1 to park in their yards, and they’d keep an eye on your car. Plus what others said about the nostalgia associated with The K. I spent many a fun day or evening there and hope other folks have the opportunity to make memories there too.
Detroit Tiger fans went through this 20 some years ago when the old Tiger Stadium which had been a landmark of Detroit for nearly 80 years was replaced with Comerica Park. Groups formed to save the stadium. There were protests and nasty editorials that all fell on deaf ears as Kaufman’s will too. Money talks as they say. Hopefully, the owners will listen for input from fans as they design and go forward maybe encompassing some features of the old park.
It’s not like KC has the oldest 🏟️ s in the MLB and NFL. So when people talk about then falling apart and they are not as old as Fenway, Wrigley, Soldier field and Lambo. It makes those that hear think how is it that those 🏟️ s still exist and can be maintained and others we need a new one. Let’s not forget KC is not STL and many cities that have downtown stadiums. Ever think why Truman sports complex was built where it is and not downtown. Like maybe either owners and developers knew what they were talking about. A ton of parking and next to 2 highways, and a big KC tailgating and BBQ.
Will not be a part of a new downtown stadium. Can see the crimes happening right now, just like St Louis. Sorry Royals.
“Who will pay for the new stadium?”….(crickets🪳🪳)
KEEP THE K!
The Royals and the city have both had 50 years to turn the stadium area into a larger entertainment center, and it was only rarely that that vision was anything more than fodder for the local media. Yes, the Royals did excellent work with expanding beyond the outfield to create a larger fan experience. But given the geography, that’s pretty much all they could do. The city has given little interest in building out the larger infrastructure to include more restaurants, hotels, etc in the surrounding area. Ironically, if the Chiefs continue to win over the next five years, the city may very well revisit that especially with the new space left by the demolition of Kauffman.
The stadium is having structural and foundation issues. The cost of repair is astronomical and almost worth having a new stadium. The surrounding area is poor, no hotels, no activities for before or after the game. An inner city stadium will be better for the economy and sustain an eventful day easier. MOVE THE STADIUM. New and better memories to be made.
It makes no sense to move the K. Moving it downtown and alot of people will not go any more. I won’t. I grew up with the Royals playing at the K, my kids grew up the same. The voters should he able to vote on what happens. Tell me why the taxpayers can pay for everything but it’s the politicians and “owners” that get to make these decisions. Correct me but if people don’t show up then you make no money, right? Maybe they need a lesson from the people for who the “REAL” customers are.
Doing away with the K is a mistake. Building a new stadium is ridiculous and the ridiculous statement about building a new stadium will help the Royals play better is absolutely absurd. A stadium does not help a team win , the players and coaches share that responsibility. If this becomes voting issue my vote is a big NO!
I agree with all the wise people that have said building a new stadium moving it downtown is a huge mistake,yiu can’t replace all that history of the k on I 70. I will cease to be a royals fan when they move downtown,everybody else should follow suit,Ewing Kauffman is rolling over in his grave,he never would have moved downtown.like someone else said so well,if yiu think having a new stadium will make the team competitive you are a fool.look at the Detroit tigers sense they gitntheur new stadium and how few times they have made it to even the Al championship game sense then,happened maybe one time,they have been horrible ever sense getting the new stadium,what fools people are thinking a new stadium will make the team good.
The Tigers won four consecutive division titles (2011-14) plus a wild card appearance (2006 when they gave the division away to Minnesota on the final weekend), got to a game 163 when again they ganked away a late division lead in 2009, made it to the AL championship series four times and to the World Series twice (2006 and 2012). The Royals caught lightning in a bottle for a season and a half and rode it to back-to-back WS appearances, but they were awful otherwise. The Royals are up because they got the ring, but let’s not kid ourselves about comparing the two historically.
It has been my understanding that when Mr. Kaufman sold the team to Mr. Glass, (and same when Mr. Glass sold to Sherman) that the team would always remain at that location. What does Sherman think he is going to gain by moving downtown??? Spend the money on restoration of “The K”. It is an icon venue. SAVE THE “K”!!!!!!
All the people that have said building a new stadium and moving them downtown is a mistake are wise,I will cease being a royals fan once they move downtown,the stadium and its location is theyr identity as the royals same as moving the raiders out of Oakland was retarded the fact Oakland is theyr identity so is the royals going downtown.all theur history is on i70 as is the raiders history all in Oakland.
Like someone said so well,if you think building a new stadium will make the team competitive you are a fool,big market teams are the competitive teams.also did the Detroit tigers all of a sudden become a good team fir many years to come and a playoff contender once they git a new stadium? I thought so,case closed.
Royals, I am a long term fan of the team. You,however, continue to make things hard by always floating the idea and benefits of a metro ballpark . I was also a fan of the A’s (back in the day). The only difference is that team moved out of town. Is that what you really want?
You’ve clearly forgot or simply don’t care about the past history and good times of the K! Stay where you are and fix the things for the long term.
As the mom of a daughter who was on the K Crew who sometimes sang the National Anthem and Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7 th inning stretch, I think moving the K is a HUGE mistake. I have been to games with my husband, my kids and my sister. I love Kauffman and all of the history. I can’t watch them on TV anymore because of the DISH-Bally debacle but I follow on my phone. That’s enough “progress” for me.
I agree, the Kaufman is a great stadium. There are either bad or great seats. Where else can you go into the admission gate and almost walk out on to your seat without being charged an arm and leg? Those third base seats. I remember well. but then again, there were some bad views. One time, we had to split up a large group of us. And part of us got in the nose bleed seats. They were horrible still, the stadium is so well recognized. It will be a shame to see it go.
I resent the commissioner coming in to advocate for a new stadium. Kaufman Stadium is our stadium. Repair the stadium and build a team worth watching. If paying more taxes are involved, we better get a vote and mine is a big, fat, no!
Another reason not to move is that over time it would become one of the iconic stadiums that would still be in use. Granted it would never be in the tier of Fenway Park or Wrigley Field, but it’d be there right along with Dodger Stadium.
Let’s move. I know change is hard for people but that area is horrible. It couldn’t even support a Burger King. The building is going on downtown. In this case change is good. I’d like to go to dinner before the game, then have a drink after then go to the hotel to sleep it off. You just can’t make it a full day event where it is at now. Well, you can hit you’re driving everywhere to get it done. If you’ve never been to another city such as Atlanta to a game it’s hard for you to imagine the experience. Let’s go it’s the for a fresh new house of the Royals.
The K deserves to stand. Those in power (developers) who complain about the surrounding area need to have a plan to buy up and transform the land around the stadium. Turn it into another Power and Light District. The K is old but can be updated again. Don’t expect us to put up with the lack of parking and abundance of crime in Downtown KC.
Ask any Cubs or Red Sox fan about their feelings about a replacement for Wrigley Field or Fenway Park.
I was out at the K last night for the game vs. the Pirate’s. That stadium is perfect for our small market team and spending the billions of dollars to relocate it is a complete waste. We can’t even fill the stadium we have not to mention, our streets are pitiful, the city needs to be cleaned up of trash and landscaping is a disaster. Not to mention, how about spending the money on hiring more police and fire fighters to improve the safety of everyone. Who’s going to really go downtown when crime is ruining the city. Just look to St Louis to see the impact of what crime does to its downtown.
Sorry, but infrastructure should come first. I’m tired of our politicians saying the money isn’t there but yet, they somehow find it for whatever priority will get them the most money and votes.
I truly don’t understand why the citizens of Jackson County and KC metro community don’t have a say in this. I believe the majority agree that the pros outweigh the cons to keep the stadium in its current location. Unfortunately, I think our government leaders have already made their own decision for us by letting the Adam’s Mark hotel sit in ruin, building a prison down the road from the stadiums, and eliminating the potential to develop the area around the stadiums into a positive and fun entertainment venue. Instead, they plan on making our downtown more congested, eliminating the tailgating experience, and allowing East Kansas City to become blighted with lower home values yet higher property taxes.
I grew up and am a die hard Cubs fan. I first went to the K to take my then GF to see the Rangers play. While her first words were it looked old. She had only been to one stadium which I will always call The Ballpark in Arlington built in the 90’s. Being better traveled, I immediately fell in love with the K. A few years later I came back to see 2 of 3 games of the Cubs series. I got to talk to the staff and completely fell in love with the place. It isn’t the stadium that makes the team it is the people. The people that work there are 100% the best employees in baseball. If the team moves, they will likely lose many of the long-term employees that don’t want to deal with the horrible downturn traffic and what will be a complete lack of parking. They won’t want to travel into another county to work. I drove 3.5 hours this year to see a game for my birthday. The Cubs weren’t playing nor were my A.L. team the Rangers. I came to be at Kauffman and be around those wonderful people. If the Royals move they are going to lose what makes them truly wonderful.
Not to mention the new stadiums are not planning to have the most iconic score board in the A.L.
I worked at both the Kaufman stadium and the cheifs stadium 🏟 cleaning up after the games got to watch the games for free. Did this for almost 20 years!
As a Kansas City transplant from Detroit, The “K” is all I’ve ever known and loved since childhood. My grandfather (dads side) was the biggest Royals fan I’ve ever known. He never missed a game. My grandfather was the very reason I became a Royals fan and played baseball myself, into my 30’s. Kansas Citians and fans across the world of both the Royals and Chiefs enjoy the BEST TAILGATING atmosphere, camaraderie and nostalgia of our stadiums being side by side. There are no other cities that have this. Kauffman could use some updating, but relocating it would definitely destroy one of KC’s most memorable experiences.
I will never go to a new stadium downtown.
Love the Location on I 70.
And all the memories.
It needs to be a dome…for multi use…
Kauffman stadium is beautiful! Sitting right on 1-70, the coast-to-coast interstate showcases our World Series wins to all travelers. Plus, you can also glimpse Arrowhead, home of our dynasty building Chiefs, creating a unique pairing of stadiums. The parking, the tailgating, the camaraderie among fans will be lost in a new venue. I’ve been to several MLB stadiums located in their downtown areas and sure they’re modern up-to-date, but there was no room for tail gating, no feeling of that charm associated with baseball games. Baseball is a pastoral game, and the K provides that feeling with it’s wide open spaces. The K is a jewel that deserves to be maintained and taken care of as it ages, not destroyed. Mark my words, in 50 years or so the owners will rue the day they took the K away.
Rebuild a new stadium in its place (same location) that solves that
I will be devastated if Kauffman stadium is closed. I love that stadium. It’s apart of my families lives. My nephew thinks it a beautiful place compared to bush stadium. That’s says a lot… please don’t move we l9ve this stadium..