Memorable Moments at Kauffman Stadium All Star Game: 1973 World Series: 1980 & '85 Hal McRae hits 54 doubles in 1977. George Brett hits .390 in 1980. No hitter by Angels' Nolan Ryan's on May 15, 1973. Paul Molitor's 3,000 hit on September 16, 1996. KAUFFMAN STADIUM 1 Royal Way Kansas City, Missouri 64129

    When Kauffman Stadium opened, it was ahead of its time.  With the Kansas City A’s playing in an aging Municipal Stadium, it was time that a new stadium was built. In 1967, Jackson County voters approved a $43 million bond issue for a sports complex. Unlike many other cities, that were building multipurpose stadiums at the time, two new stadiums were built. One for the A's, and one for the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL). However, A’s owner Charles Finley, could not wait for a new stadium to be built, and moved the team to Oakland. But in 1969, Major League Baseball awarded Kansas City an expansion franchise, whose owner became Ewing Kauffman. Originally known as Royals Stadium, opened on April 10, 1973. The stadium was very colorful, with 40,635 seats, all facing second base and arranged in three tiers of maroon, gold, and orange. The stadium was the American League's first ballpark with Astroturf as the playing surface. The most unique feature of the stadium was the water fountains beyond the outfield fence. The fountains, stretch 322 feet horizontally, and have a 10 foot high waterfall that descends from an upper cascade pool which serves as a background for two water fountain pools. A 12 story scoreboard in centerfield was built in the shape of the Royals’ crest.

Their have not been many changes to the stadium until the 1990’s. In 1990, another scoreboard was installed. It was a 30-by-40 foot Sony Jumbo Tron. In 1993 the Royals Stadium was renamed Kauffman Stadium. The Astroturf was ripped up before the 1995 season, and replaced with natural grass. Kauffman Stadium was renovated at the end of the 1998 season. The stadium renovation project included the addition of Crown Seats, Dugout Suites, an exclusive restaurant and lounge known as the Crown Club, state-of-the-art facilities and clubhouses throughout the stadium. All of the orange seats throughout the stadium were replaced by blue seats. Today, as in 1973, when the stadium opened, fans can enjoy views of the fountains beyond the outfield fence, and the views of the Midwest landscape.

    
    
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Name: Kauffman Stadium 
Location: Kansas City, MO
Tenant: Kansas City Royals
Capacity: 40,625
Surface:  Grass 
Construction Began: 1969
Opened: April 10, 1973
Cost: $43 Million
Dimensions: 330-L, 375-LC, 400-C, 375-RC, 330-R
Architect: HOK
Seating Chart

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