KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -The Kansas City Royals have augmented the splash with flash.
Kauffman Stadium already had the famed outfield fountains. Now, party decks, wraparound seating and thousands upon thousands of colorful lights have been added as part of a $275 million facelift that will be unveiled to thousands of fans when the Royals open their home season Friday.
Weather for the afternoon start is expected to be cool but fair. That’ll be a big contrast to the wind, rain and biting cold that hit Kansas City last Sunday, when the Royals held an open house and about 5,000 fans bundled up and came for an early peek at the renovated ballpark.
“I’m excited to see it,” said manager Trey Hillman. “From the things that I heard the other day with the open house, and the bad weather and still the number of people that came out, that’s very encouraging to me. People got to want to see it pretty bad.”
d Kansas City to its only World Series title in 1985. Howser’s statue will stand prominently in the new outfield area alongside those of George Brett and Frank White, the best offensive and defensive players in team history.
Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon will join other notables for the festivities. But the person throwing out the ceremonial first pitch is a secret.
All but about $25 million of the project was paid for by a 3/8-cent sales tax that Jackson county voters approved in 2006. Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Chiefs across the parking lot, is undergoing a similar renovation.
“Last year, everybody got sick of the construction, looking out to the outfield and seeing mounds of dirt,” said third baseman Alex Gordon. “This is going to be cool. When the fans get excited, we feel it. When the Cardinals come in and it’s a packed house, it’s so exciting in that ballpark. We feed off of it. The same will be true Friday, and hopefully we can play well enough to make it true a lot more times this season.”
Widening the concourses and adding numerous amenities has caused a seat reduction of about 2,500, bringing capacity down to 38,177. Officials were urging fans to arrive early.
ody. It’s just an extra dose of excitement to opening day. You’re playing in a new place. The beauty of the ‘K’ has always been there through the years. Now it’s even more beautiful and it makes everybody feel good.”
Even without the renovations, fans would have occasion to be excited about this season.
The long-woeful Royals, in the minds of many, might actually have a chance to compete in the AL Central. They’ve increased their win total each of the past three years, getting up to 75 a year ago. Several young players should improve. And the payroll is up to almost $71 million, a club record, thanks in part to several important offseason acquisitions.
Center fielder Coco Crisp could be the leadoff hitter Kansas City has needed for more than a decade, and first baseman Mike Jacobs could provide much-needed power.
“We’ve made the moves to get the players,” said second baseman Mark Teahen, who’s starting the season in his fourth position in four years. “We’re starting to play a brand of baseball that’s exciting to the fans and that’s quality on the field. We’re in a position that we should be in contention. We have the talent. It’s just a matter of doing it and making the fans want to come back down the line, not just for the opener.”
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