Here we are, in the ninth inning of summer, and K.C. baseball fans are lining up to receive another kick in the shorts, having endured another quagmire season of last place Royals baseball.
Baseball, once America’s greatest pastime, looks out of sync. Our home pro team has only won 41 out of 135 games. The price of parking, game tickets, a beer, a hot dog and a bag of peanuts sucks up almost every penny of a hundred-dollar bill. However, the current team owners believe that a new stadium will cure all of the on-field ills. What no tailgating, limited parking and higher prices on everything! What are these guys smoking? (Enough politicizing now, says Cutest.)
But do not give up hope, faithful readers. One need only look west towards the Legends shopping and entertainment venue. A mere 25 minutes from downtown sits the Monarchs’ stadium, next door to the Kansas Speedway and soccer’s Sporting KC.
Price of Admission: For $16 dollars total, Cutest and I happily walked through the gates. Had I wanted, I could have purchased the best seats in the house for a mere $65.
Food and beverages: Here’s where we really scored. That evening the first 500 fans received a coupon for a free HOTDOG! Soft drinks, beer, wine, and liquor, were all offered at affordable prices. I hadn’t seen the team walk out onto the field and I already wanted to purchase season tickets.
Seating: Instead of going to our ticketed seats, we chose to sit a little closer to home plate, like only four rows behind. Being a school night and even though the Monarchs were within a game of clinching a playoff spot, vacant seats were plentiful.
The Game: To be honest, the play on the field was not always pro caliber, but there were enough home runs and double plays to keep us engaged in the game. Cutest likes to hoot and holler and she pointed out that she does a terrific job at it. The players and umpires knew she was in the stands. K.C. still lost, however, a loss somewhat redeemed by the other cute games going on -- condiment race anyone?
The Take-Away: Before the boys of summer pack up their gear for this season, drive out to the Legends and enjoy the game of baseball. I guarantee you that a smile will cross your face on the way home, knowing that you just spent an enjoyable evening being thoroughly entertained – and you didn’t have to go to the ATM two or three times while there.
P.S. There’s a play-off game TODAY at 1 p.m. Hurry, you can make it in time for Margarita Mondays. They play the Lake Country Dockhounds. (doncha love it?) Also Friday, Sept 8th against the Sioux Falls Canaries.
Comments