Kansas City Royals

Fields Visited 2003

The Kansas City Royals play in Kauffman Stadium, which was built in 1973. This is a great place to watch a ball game. There is a long set of fountains in right center and a short set in left center with three waterfalls to its left. The fountains spray up in different patterns between innings, and they are lit by colored lights after dark. There are two big screens, one with statistics and the other with video. All seating is dark blue with no bleachers. The Club level has the press box in the middle, a restaurant on the third base end and suites behind regular seating. You can see the ballgame from the concourse on the first level. This year they moved the fences back and lowered them. They replaced the synthetic warning track with a natural surface. They replaced the sound system and it is outstanding. One microphone picked up all the different voices of the choral group singing the national anthem. There is serious tailgating and enthusiastic fans, few of whom left before the game's end. The Royals were playing the Minnesota Twins in a well pitched game. It was tied 1-1 until the bottom of the 9th when the Royals managed to score the winning run with two outs. The runner had to slide headfirst into first to finish the game. The box score was Twins R-1, H-7, E-0 and Royals R-2, H-8, E-0. The field lines are RF-330', RC-385', CF-410', LC-385', and LF-330'. The attendance was 30, 614 for the game. There is a statue of George Brett outside the stadium and an adjacent street is named for him. Sluggerrr is the mascot. Across the parking lots is the Chiefs' football stadium.

Food Costs

Ticket Costs

Attractions

Harley-Davidson Assembly Plant and visitors Center--This is one of the two final assembly plants in the US.  The tour includes a videotape presentation and a chance to see the actual production line where engines are assembled.  Free.

The Museums at 18th and Vine is in the heart of one of the country's most celebrated jazz and blues districts.  American Jazz Museum recalls Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Parker and others. Negro League Baseball Museum recounts the formation and history of the Negro Basebal League prior to 1945.

Thomas Hart Benton Home & Studio State Historic Site--Missouri's noted 20th-century artist lived here from 1939 until his death in 1975.  The Victorian-style home and carriage house studio contain many of his belongings and artwork.

In nearby Independence:
Harry S. Truman National Historic Site is the house in which President and Mr. Truman, when not in Washington D.C., lived from their marriage in 1919 until their deaths.  $3, under 16 free.

Truman Presidential Museum & Library--The focal point of the museum, an exhibit about Truman's presideential years, features a film tracing Truman's life from childhood to his swearing in as the 33rd president.  $7, 61+-$5, 6-18-$3.

National Frontier Trails Museum--The meseum researches, interprets and preserves the history of the pioneers and the Santa Fe, Oregon and California trails, which began at or near Independence.  $4, 54+-$3.50, 6-17-$2.50.