Why is it that the worst teams (Cubs, Dodgers, Orioles and Pirates) seem to play in the best ballparks?
The product on the field is never reason enough to visit those stadiums. Rather, you’re going for the structural aesthetic wonderland that plays out before you as you first enter the park then take your seat and look around.
This is no different when it comes to Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, which is one of the best ballparks in all of baseball even if it doesnt necessarily receive the recognition it deserves. The home of this year’s All-Star Game is set off a highway on the outskirts of town, Kauffman shares a parking lot with the Chiefs’ famed Arrowhead Stadium. It is easy to get to if you’re unfamiliar with the area, with plenty of good, inexpensive hotels in nearby Independence if everything in Kansas City itself is booked up, as it was back in the summer of 2008 when a buddy and I road tripped there from the Quad Cities.
Unlike some other ballparks, there really is no pre-game bar scene here. If you’re really hungry, there are a couple of delicious barbecue joints nearby. After the game (or before if you’re so inclined), there’s a Denny’s just outside the main parking lots, which never fails to draw some of the best people watching in the entire city. Kauffman is a place where you go to watch a ballgame, a sporting destination rising high above a concrete jungle.
Make no mistake — Kauffman’s exterior leaves a lot to be desired. It is, after all, a giant concrete bowl. You’re not going to find any real ornate architecture unless you’re a fan of concrete.
Once inside however, you’re greeted by a number of things that make the trip to Kansas City worthwhile. The sightlines are clean, the concourse is open and the food is about as good as you’re going to find in any major league ballpark. What really makes this place though, much like Wrigley, is the outfield.
These pictures were taken during my only visit to the stadium back in 2008 when the stadium was undergoing major renovations. The principles in this photograph remain the same. There’s the logo-shaped scoreboard in dead center complete with a crown that is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. There are the fountains which keep things slightly cooler on those sultry summer nights in Kansas City, when the heat and humidity are downright oppressive.
The great thing about the Royals being so terrible — there’s never any problem finding cheap tickets. If the Royals are playing at home at the same time as the St. Louis Cardinals are, there’s really no reason why you shouldn’t see both ballparks in a single weekend. If you can only see one though, hit up Kansas City. The stadium itself is a short drive from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, one of the more fascinating baseball attractions you’ll find anywhere. The ballpark itself is a gem, a place where both die-hards and casual baseball fans can enjoy a game and forget about life for awhile.
