KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Expect to see more big flies at the ballpark this summer in Kansas City.
The Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday morning that, after discussing the possibility for years, the club will bring in the outfield wall at Kauffman Stadium ahead of the 2026 season.
“We just want a fair ballpark. We’re not looking for something where it becomes really offensive and every ball that goes up in the air becomes a home run. We want it to be very fair so when our players — when they are playing at home, when they are playing on the road — that it’s the same approach,” said Royals general manager J.J. Picollo.
A photo of Kauffman Stadium during a Royals game.(George Howard, KCTV5)
The Royals stated the following will change:
walls will come in 8-10 feet starting near each foul polegaps will go from 387 ft to 379, and taper back toward CF, which will remain 410 feetwall height will change from 10 feet to 8 ½ feet150 seats will be added in left field and about 80 new drinkrail seats in right field
“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 stated. ”The decision was made by Baseball Operations for competitive reasons, including to bring The K more in line with other Major League ballparks.”
The Kansas City Royals announced that, after discussing the possibility for years, the club will bring in the outfield wall at Kauffman Stadium for 2026.
The Royals revealed that work on the project is underway, and the field will be completed by the home opener on March 30.
“It’s still going to be one of the bigger ballparks in the game. We’re going to pitch, we’re going to play defense, we’re going to run the bases, we’re going to situational hit,” said Picollo. “We’re going to emphasize the exciting part of the game — the fearlessness, the aggressiveness — none of that is going to change.”
The dimensions of the Kauffman Stadium outfield wall before they are moved in.(Kansas City Royals)
The Royals announced they are moving in the outfield walls at Kauffman Stadium(Kansas City Royals)
The dimensions of the Kauffman Stadium outfield wall after they are moved in.(Kansas City Royals)
With lower fences, Picollo also said a greater opportunity for home runs to be robbed will bring greater excitement to the ballpark.
“Try to think of how many robbed home runs you’ve seen over your time here,” Picollo said. “It’s not many. I’m sure there’s been some, but now we have an opportunity to see that.”
The club stated that, based on its research over the last three seasons, the changes would have benefited the Royals overall.
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