Submitted By:
Willis Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark:
The fountains are an awesome sight, especially at
night. It was a friendly and relaxing atmosphere.
Cons of the ballpark:
The upgrades. The old K was nicer. Adding all of
that nonsense behind the fence was unnecessary.
Additional Comments:
The Royals have been terrible for a long time,
but things are looking up in 2013.
Submitted By:
R Nash Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark:
We
have been to many stadiums, not all of them yet but a lot. This
stands out as one of the top family ballparks ever. My kids still
talk about the outfield concourse and all that there is to do for
them there. The fans are fantastic, the park is clean. The
"monstrosity of awesomeness" that is the video board in center field
is top notch. The fountains make the park unique and can be very
picturesque. The food was awesome.
Cons of the ballpark: None
Additional Comments:
The
Royals have not been close to a contender in some time, but not
seeing this park in person would be a huge mistake if you are a
baseball fan.
Submitted By: Ronald Theriot Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: The
Royals did a great job with the upgrades, most of which revolve
around child-oriented activities, which today I suppose you've got
to have. When I first visited in 2005, I was quite pleased, and not
under the impression that the ballpark needed any improvements. It's
hard to believe it's 37 years old (1973)! Great place to catch a
game. The ushers did not bother me in any way about walking around
taking photos.
Cons of the ballpark: The
only negative is that there really is not any place immediate to the
ballpark to hang out before/after games.
Additional Comments: If
one is willing to walk a bit, there is a bar & grill north of the
stadium, across the boulevard. I thought it was a nice place.
Submitted By: BJM Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: It
was a very vivid game, and one that won't be forgotten. A very
decent at least location near the outskirts of town, with gambling
nearby and historic Arrow-Head next door. Holding a beautiful
centerfield view meanwhile. The fountains and scoreboard were
surprisingly up to date, considering the age of the venue.
Cons of the ballpark: It
seemed like they were waiting on renovations as if holding out for a
new locale or something, but was not too awfully run-down. Small
exit ways were ignored due to exceptional concourse size. The Team
shop however was smaller than my hometowns minor league team in all
likely hood. Compared to stadium size it was a coat closet.
Additional Comments: The
biggest surprise was that Kauffman had one of the nicest views and
wasn't near the city really. Not a horrible drive from downtown
either. Also the club seats were more than acceptable. I can't wait
till the '09-'10 renovations are complete.
Submitted By: Marc Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: If you did not know that this park was
built in the 70's, you would think it was the latest in the retro
movement. What makes it more unique is the fact that it does not
have all of the brick and iron like Camden, Coors, etc. The
architecture is quite modern, especially in the upper deck, where
the seats "tail off" as they move down the lines. The water
spectacular was better than its reputation and the "Royal
Scoreboard"-one of a kind and talk about team spirit!
Cons of the ballpark: The main concourse is cramped, but I
don't really think that it is much of a con-it just means get all of
your junk BEFORE the game starts and sit down!
Additional Comments: We went to see the Royals play the Blue
Jays when the daytime temps were over 100 and it was 95 at the first
pitch. The Royals set out water coolers all over the stadium for
people to get water and stay hydrated. Plus there was an EMT at
every section just in case someone became overcome by the heat.
Despite all this, there were still 18000 in the stands cheering
until the last out. Bravo Kansas City-do what you can to keep this
stadium!
Submitted By: Eric Geiple Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Steve said it best.. Clean, Friendly,
and HAPPY. I'm 23 years old and going to this park gave me the
feeling that I got to when I went to Memorial Stadium with my dad
for the first time. It blew me away. Sure its not much to look at
from the outside but WOW.. amazing on the inside. I was impressed
with how the concourse is open air into the playing field area. I
love that design and to be done back then was WAYYY ahead of its
time. The Organ music is great! You dont get that too much anymore
these days. With the other cookie cutter ballparks out there
nowadays, everything here seemed to be innovative. It's kind of odd
saying that about an older ballpark, but it's true. It's far from
cookie cutter. The View.. The huge scoreboard, the fountains, the
symmetrical outfield.. wow. It's amazing. Even the lights are cool.
The ticket prices are fair, and I like how you park right next to
the park, but the parking lot is concealed from view while you're
watching the game.
Easily the most family friendly, best overall "good feel" ball park
I've been to. (out of 9 parks)
Cons of the ballpark: Too much concrete.. but once you get
inside that all disappears. The concourse was a little cramped, but
that's not a complete bad thing. There's just so much character in
this park that you don't find in many other parks. Peeing in
"troughs" ..yeah.. In the bathroom you pee with other people in a
large urinal. Its kind of weird.
Driving EAST from COLORADO in KANSAS!! Worst.. drive... ever..
Additional Comments: All I can say is WOW.. Upgrade the
bathrooms.. but NEVER GET A NEW BALLPARK!! Character, Friendliness,
and an overall "I'm happy to be here" and "this is what baseball
should be like" feeling in the park. I also saw a great game where
the Orioles came back and won after being down like 8-0.. but hey..
I still rank this park NUMBER 2.. Above Oriole Park and just below
PNC Park. If you're reading this and not sure about going to see a
game in an older ballpark.. GO! Especially if you're stuck with the
cookie cutter blues.
Submitted By: Shawn Munro Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: Before going to see a Royals game on a
trip, I had only heard so-so responses about the park. However, on
arriving I discovered a small market jewel of baseball. The
outfield is simply the best in all of baseball behind Pac Bell
Park. The fountains at night are amazing and the grass around them
provides a clean, well-groomed look. The giant Royals scoreboard
that sits high in the sky reminds you of past glories of George
Brett and the mid-eighties. The fans had an ownership mentality of
the team, showing loyal, family style routing and support. You will
encounter the purity of minor league baseball mixed with big league
beauty at this park.
Cons of the ballpark: Traffic was a little intense entering
the park, and large crowd nights will mean longer than average waits
at vendors.
Additional Comments: Having Arrowhead Stadium in the same
parking lot is also enjoyable for sight seeing football fans that
attend Royals' games.
Submitted By: L. Tanon Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Can you say absolutely beautiful! I
could not believe my eyes as we walked in to see how close you
really are to the field and then to be there for Friday night
fireworks. I think I would have to say the pros are definitely the
fountains, actual beauty of the field esp. when the sun sets on a
clear night and then the atmosphere. The people really are quite
nice esp. to two NY'ers traveling to their stadium. Who would have
known?
Cons of the ballpark: Personally I didnt have any cons. Great
people, great stadium..very "friendly" atmosphere.
Additional Comments: Definitely a park we have decided to
visit again whether one of our teams is playing the Royals or not. I
would recommend it to anyone.
Submitted By: KC Sinclair Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: I'm from Houston, but made a second
trip back to KC just to see this park a second time. In some ways
it's hard to believe that it is an older park because it has so many
modern features. If you go, night games are the best. The waterfalls
are colored by background lighting and there are fireworks when the
Royals win. Most of the people who go there are families, so you
don't hear a lot of cursing in the stands. Another thing to try is
their ice cream, when I went it was served in a miniature Royals
batting helmet. Also take a look at the museum they have to the KC
Monarchs. Excellent place to see a game.
Cons of the ballpark: The only negative I could think of was
getting there. If you are not a veteran to the KC area, be sure to
get a map or ask the locals. I got lost the first time, then traffic
is a hassle when you are going to a big game so get to the park
early.
Additional Comments: I've been to a few of the other parks in
MLB, but so far Kauffman is my favorite.
Submitted By: Steve McCrary
Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: The first words that came to mind were
beautiful, clean, and "happy". The fountains in right field are
wonderful, and the water display after the night game was
breathtaking, with a lot of oohing and aahing coming from kids of
all ages. We walked around in later innings, and believe there is
not a bad seat in the house. Each seat faces second base--really.
The organist was the best I've ever heard.
Cons of the ballpark: The escalator only goes to the Club
Level--if you are in the upper deck, you have to walk up one of the
circular ramps--not too bad though.
Additional Comments: I've been to 17 MLB parks, and must say
this is the best overall--parking, prices, seats, entertainment,
food, beauty, and hospitality.
Submitted By: Richard Anderson Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: The parking is the cheapest you will
find. The seats are the cheapest in the Majors. I mean its Major
League Baseball, who can beat that. Its really easy to get
autographs. Its very easy to change seats in the stadium. Plus it so
fun.
Cons of the ballpark: When the stadium is packed its a bit
hard to get around. The food is so expensive. Other than that its
the best stadium around.
Additional Comments: All of the players are really nice, plus
you should visit the little K (on the 1st base side of the outfield
plaza).
Submitted By: Tony Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: The most beautiful backdrop in
baseball. The fountains and the chance to see someone put it the
fountains. Very creative vendors. One lemonade vendor yells "Lem-on-ade!
Lem-on-ade!" really fast. Then he yells "Whooooo0!" The crowd then
picks it up and yells it with him. It is pretty amazing. The "K"
which people call it is kind of a 70s park but with not quite the
"cookie cutter" like most of it's bros and sisters built at that
time. The big scoreboard with a crown on top is quite breathtaking.
There are dugout suites next to the dugouts that you can rent out
and sit like the pros after you fill yourself up with an all you can
eat and drink course inside the suites. You can't get any closer to
the action than these seats in the dugout suites. Also The "K" has a
Royal Pavillion in the left center concourse which gives an outfield
view. The tickets all in all are pretty affordable compared to some
bigger markets. Same MLB action.
Cons of the ballpark: As nice as the upkeep is on this park.
It eventually will need some renovations. possible more attractions
in the outfield. Possibly a walkway full of activites,shops,and
maybe a sports bar to circle around the stadium.
Additional Comments: None.
Submitted By: Dan Paynter Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: This park had a lot to offer. I was
happily surprised by Kaufman field. There is a fully air conditioned
restaurant down the leftfield lines, there's a play area for little
kids, the food was pretty good, but the variety of foods wasn't
quite as good as some other parks. The Royals keep you entertained
though. They have two full motion video screens that can show
replays, stats, scores, etc. They also have the waterfalls and
shrubs in the outfield. The Huge trademark Royal's scoreboard rises
high above the park. The park is dug out of the ground, so as you
enter, you are at the top of the outfield bleachers. They have a ton
of parking and easy access from the main highway, so there were no
problems or delays getting to the game. The Lion mascot was also
very entertaining. Watching a woman climb up on his back, pulling
hot dogs from out of his crown and tossing them off the upper deck
to the people on the lower deck was one of the most entertaining
extras I've seen at a ballgame.
Cons of the ballpark: They could have a little more variety
for foods to eat and of course the team needs some work, but other
than that, I wouldn't change much.
Additional Comments: You Got to Love These Guys!
Submitted By: Tony Schmitz Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: This ballpark has a very friendly
atmosphere. The fans are loyal. That was probably what I enjoyed
the most out of this place. Even though the royals are the worst
in MLB the 18000 that showed up were pretty much all die hards.
There really isn't a bad seat in the house and the park has an
intimate feel. The Water display is gorgeous and the sky high
scoreboard looms over the field reminding everyone of past glories.
The pare is not hard to get too and I saw tailgating!!! You don't
seem to see that much for baseball much anymore. Even though the
game had some poor pitching and the game was almost 4 hrs long it
was still an enjoyable experience.
Cons of the ballpark: The main concourse is quite small.
18000 people made it feel cramped. The infield grass looked a
little sad but that was probably due to the fact that it had been
raining a ton so the field was covered and the grass was trying to
recover. The stadium isn't much to look at from the outside but it
makes due. Exterior design must not have been a priority in 1972.
There wasn't much selection of food and it was price pretty high. A
snowcone for 4.25 well this is the big leagues.
Additional Comments: The royals have done alot to spruce this
place up. The natural grass is a huge improvement. The new dark
blue seats are much better then the red and orange seats that were
originally here plus their unique. Also they did a nice job with
adding the royals hall of fame the world series trophy and the
statues outside are a nice touch. All in all a nice place to see a
game and a very pleasant experience. This is a park that doest get
enough recognition. its not as nice as the new retro parks but its
still definitely deserves an honorable mention.
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