![\"Hitters](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/general-view-kauffman-stadium-seen-1051245739.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n4<\/p>\n
Hitters have struggled to clear the fence at Kauffman StadiumCredit: Getty<\/p>\n
The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> are planning to build a Super Bowl-worthy domed arena across state lines in Kansas, with public funding set to cover 60 percent of the $4 billion project.<\/a><\/p>\n Their neighbors missed a December 31 deadline<\/a> to propose a similar agreement for a new home, estimated to cost around $2 billion.<\/p>\n While negotiations continue, Kauffman remains home and the Royals have big plans for 2026.<\/p>\n Spring Training is around the corner and Kansas City bosses are keen to avoid a repeat of an 82-80 season.<\/p>\n More on MLB<\/p>\n ESPN MLB<\/a> insider Jeff Passan revealed Tuesday that the Royals will move in the outfield fences and lower the height of the wall in a bid to make it more home run friendly.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want a neutral ballpark where if you hit a ball well, it should be a home run,\u201d general manager J.J. Picollo told ESPN. \u201cThe second they start feeling like they can\u2019t get the ball out of the ballpark, they start changing their swing.<\/p>\n “I watched it for years and years and years, and I just felt like this is the time to try to push it and see if everything we felt for however many years is accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n The decision is being driven by analytics and aimed at improving the team’s performance, with an improved experience and catching practice for fans a potential bonus.<\/p>\n Dodger Stadium was the best for home run hitters in 2025 with 254 in a campaign that saw the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series<\/a> in a thrilling showdown against the Toronto Blue Jays.<\/p>\n Rogers Centre <\/a>was sixth in the list behind the Great American Ball Park, Yankee Stadium, Citizen\u2019s Bank Park and Angel Stadium.<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n The current dimensions have been in play for 20 yearsCredit: Getty 4<\/p>\n John Sherman is overseeing the move to a new ballparkCredit: Getty<\/p>\n “It’s not that we’re trying to jump-start our offense,” Picollo added. “The more neutral it is at home, the better success we think we’ll have overall.”<\/p>\n The Royals moved the fences in 10 feet between 1995 and 2003, when it was slightly above MLB average for homers.<\/p>\n Since the original dimensions were restored in 2004, the warning track has become a magnet once again.<\/p>\n Numbers drive new Royals approach<\/p>\n Dr. Daniel Mack — the franchise’s vice president of research and development and an assistant GM — put his Ph.D. in computer science to good use by producing a study. <\/p>\n “What we wanted to focus on was how could we find dimensions that would create a more consistent approach for us as a team,” he said. “It’s one thing when you say, ‘OK, well, Kauffman’s so large, it’s great for pitchers, you can’t really bring in power hitters.’<\/p>\n “Can we find dimensions that make it so that regardless of when we’re home or on the road, we didn’t have to need to worry about the spectrum as much?”<\/p>\n 4<\/p>\n Royals fans could be leaving Missouri behindCredit: Getty<\/p>\n After Jackson County voters rejected a financing proposal to fund a new stadium for the Royals in Missouri, Kansas could soon be about to add an NFL<\/a> and MLB team.<\/p>\n The Royals have eyed a site on the Aspiria Campus in Overland Park, with financing still up in the air.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are other economic tools, but I think it would be pretty difficult to do that,\u201d Republican Speaker Dan Hawkins said.<\/p>\n Read More on talkSPORT<\/p>\n He later added: \u201cBut it would be tough to use those and develop enough money to really support a stadium, and so, I just can\u2019t see that happening.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/general-view-kauffman-stadium-seen-1051305915.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/kansas-city-royals-owner-john-1047708373.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Royals](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/kansas-city-royals-fan-holds-1046815341.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n