The Kansas City Royals announced a change at Kauffman Stadium for the upcoming season to make the stadium a “fairer ballpark.” The outfield wall will be moved in 8 to 10 feet starting near each foul pole. The gaps will reportedly go from 387 feet to 379 feet and taper back toward centerfield, which will remain 410 feet, the Royals said. The wall will also be shorter, changing from 10 feet in most places to 8.5 feet. “This change will likely create more home runs (and robbed home runs), more extra-base hits, and more exciting action on the field – while bringing fans closer to seeing it,” the Royals said in a news release. “The decision was made by Baseball Operations for competitive reasons, including to bring The K more in line with other Major League ballparks.” If this change had been made earlier, it ultimately would have benefited the Royals in the last three seasons, the team said. “Making this a fairer ballpark will help with roster construction, but more importantly will allow our players to keep the same approach regardless of where we play,” said Daniel Mack, Royals vice president of research and development and assistant general manager. “Our approach was carefully considered to account for as many factors as possible. We believe this will ultimately reduce the constraints within Kauffman Stadium.” About 150 seats will be added in left field and about 80 new drink-rail seats will be added to the right. Work has already begun on the project and is expected to be complete ahead of the Royals home-opener against the Twins on March 30. “We’ve discussed this possibility for years, and after much work by our Research & Development department, believe this will be a positive change for our baseball team,” Royals Executive Vice President and General Manager J.J. Picollo said. “We wanted more consistency throughout the season, while making sure the specifics put us in the best position to succeed.”
The Kansas City Royals announced a change at Kauffman Stadium for the upcoming season to make the stadium a “fairer ballpark.”
The outfield wall will be moved in 8 to 10 feet starting near each foul pole. The gaps will reportedly go from 387 feet to 379 feet and taper back toward centerfield, which will remain 410 feet, the Royals said.
The wall will also be shorter, changing from 10 feet in most places to 8.5 feet.
“This change will likely create more home runs (and robbed home runs), more extra-base hits, and more exciting action on the field – while bringing fans closer to seeing it,” the Royals said in a news release. “The decision was made by Baseball Operations for competitive reasons, including to bring The K more in line with other Major League ballparks.”
If this change had been made earlier, it ultimately would have benefited the Royals in the last three seasons, the team said.
“Making this a fairer ballpark will help with roster construction, but more importantly will allow our players to keep the same approach regardless of where we play,” said Daniel Mack, Royals vice president of research and development and assistant general manager. “Our approach was carefully considered to account for as many factors as possible. We believe this will ultimately reduce the constraints within Kauffman Stadium.”
About 150 seats will be added in left field and about 80 new drink-rail seats will be added to the right.
Work has already begun on the project and is expected to be complete ahead of the Royals home-opener against the Twins on March 30.
“We’ve discussed this possibility for years, and after much work by our Research & Development department, believe this will be a positive change for our baseball team,” Royals Executive Vice President and General Manager J.J. Picollo said. “We wanted more consistency throughout the season, while making sure the specifics put us in the best position to succeed.”