While the center-field wall will remain at 410 feet, the Royals said the wall near each foul pole will come in eight to 10 feet, and the resulting gaps will be 379 feet. The height of the wall also will change from 10 feet in most places to 8 1\/2 feet, allowing the Royals to add about 150 seats in left field and about 80 new drink-rail seats in right field.<\/p>\n
The club’s research estimates the run value of fly balls will go from the bottom third of MLB ballparks to the middle third.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaking this a fairer ballpark will help with roster construction, but more importantly, (it) will allow our players to keep the same approach regardless of where we play,\u201d said Dr. Daniel Mack, the Royals’ assistant GM and vice president for research and development. \u201cOur approach was carefully considered to account for as many factors as possible. We believe this will ultimately reduce the constraints within Kauffman Stadium.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Royals are changing the dimensions of Kauffman Stadium, they are also continuing work on its replacement.<\/p>\n
Ownership has made it clear that the Royals will not play in the picturesque-but-aging ballpark after its lease expires in 2031, which puts them on the clock for building a replacement. The neighboring Chiefs recently announced their intention to build a new stadium in Kansas in time for the 2031 season, and the Royals are expected to decide soon on their location for a new ballpark.<\/p>\n
The long-held belief is that the Royals prefer to build in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, though other sites are being considered.<\/p>\n
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