As one last hurrah to 2022, I signed up to take a behind-the-scenes tour of Kauffman Stadium today. The weather was about as good as one could hope for on December 31st, but it was still pretty chilly, and I was glad I bundled up for this experience. My tour guide was an older gentleman named Michael, whose daughter also works for the Royals. According to Michael, one month after he retired, his daughter insisted that he needed something to do and helped him get set up giving tours of Kauffman during the off season and working in the Royals Hall of Fame during the season. He’s been working in this capacity for the last eight years, and he certainly knew his stuff.
This post is going to be predominantly pictures, but I’ll try to include explanatory captions where appropriate.
One of the big themes of the tour: if you've got money, you can buy yourself a really nice view of the field.
Fun Christmas tree in the Diamond Club box.
Not sure who this is intended to be, but George Brett is never a bad guess.
Entrance to the press box.
Press box.
Gotta keep your wits about you when the windows are open. Those baseballs can do some damage.
One of the business suites. According to Michael, folks who purchase these get 24/7/365 access to their suite.
A few shots out of the Royals Hall of Fame. I've posted some of these before, but I have a better phone this time, so the shots are much clearer.
3 / 7
This is what Kauffman Stadium’s famous fountains look like when turned off and cleaned out for the off season.
View from the TV broadcasting booth.
Radio broadcasting booth.
Radio broadcasting booth.
Denny Matthews has been calling the Royals' play-by-play throughout the team's entire existence.
Visitor's clubhouse.
Visitor's clubhouse.
When Eric Hosmer played in Kansas City, he hired his barber to come to the stadium and give haircuts to any player, home or visitor, who needed one. According to my tour guide, that barber still continues the gig even now.
Press room.
Michael told me the mics were live, so please don't speak into them. I have no idea if that was true, but I stayed way back, just to be safe.
Visitors' batting cage.
5 / 7
Royals dugout.
Royals dugout.
View of home from the dugout.
View from the dugout.
Door in back where players take out their frustrations after a bad at-bat.
