My day at the K, 6/25/2008
by cmkeller on Jul 7, 2008 10:57 AM EDT
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PrintWell, I reported backin February that I had a big trip planned, and I bought my tickets to the Royals vs Rockies game on June 25 as soon as they came available. I'm back from the trip now, and it was ultra-fantastic! The Royals-specific highlights:
- The Royals continue to have a perfect record (2-0, now) when I'm in attendance, beating the Rox 4-2. The game was pretty messy, with the Rockies taking an early lead and the Royals coming back mainly by taking advantage of errors, but hey, a win's a win!
- Luke Hochevar recovered impressively from a rocky (pun semi-intended) first two innings
- Every time Ross Gload came to bat, I yelled, "Gload will explode!!" and hoped I'd see someone turn around in recognition. No one did, but it was still fun, especially since he did - two doubles.
- The roar of the crowd when Joakim Soria came in to close the game was an awesome thing to behold. Also, I saw him referred to as the "Mexecutioner" in the following day's KC Star, so I guess that's now an official nickname for him - did we originate that here?
- My wife, who is far more awesome than I deserve, had the Royals put "Welcome Mattis Keller, our most loyal fan" (no offense, loyal2) on the scoreboard.
- Even more amazing than that, I actually appeared (with my 10-year-old son and my 5-month-old baby daughter) on the scoreboard during one of the random "fan-cam shots" around the 4th inning. (The rest of my family was either sitting out of range or was on a bathroom break.) Just the thing to make the evening perfect - the image in my mind kept me energetic for the whole drive to Branson that night.
- The Royals drove us from the stadium entrance back to our van in one of their courtesy golf carts. I think this was the highlight of the evening for my children who are not yet capable of truly appreciating baseball.
Only two things I'd criticize: I was quite disappointed at the long line to claim my "will-call" tickets, and I'm pretty sure it's because that was also a ticket SALES line, I don't think there was a dedicated line for picking up already-purchased tickets. I expected that pre-buying my tickets would guarantee speedy entry to the stadium. Instead, I was still on line when the national anthem was sung, and I was practically in a panic that after having driven 25 hours to get to the K, I was going to miss some of the game (fortunately, I didn't, just barely). Also, the general parking is a HUGE walk from the stadium. I'm sure I passed at least two completely empty lots on my way from where we were directed to park to the stadium (though the aforementioned golf-cart ride later made up for this.
All in all, it was great to be there in the flesh again! Now, I'm back in New York, rooting from afar - go Royals!
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Will-call and walk-up ticket sales are a joke.
I go to 5-6 games a year and a weekend game with around 25,000 fans means you will have very long ticket lines and sometimes miss multiple innings of the game. It’s highly frustrating. I’ve complained a time or two and was told to just purchase tickets in advance. Unfortunately the $3.50 per ticket “convenience fee” to purchase tickets on-line is a slight deterrent. For a team that should be rolling out the red carpet to get fans to come see a pereniall last place team, I’m not sure huge lines that cause you to miss part of the game is the way to do that.
the convenience fee for credit card purchases sucks
but being able to buy and print tickets from home is soooo worth it. and its not like its a royals thing, i had to do the same thing buying braves tix when I lived in Atl.
but to cmk, that sounds like pretty much the greatest gameday experience ever, grats to you.
I considered the print-at-home option
but I figured that the less I have to remember to pack, the better off I am. I print them at home and leave them at home or can’t find them in the mess of my luggage, I’m screwed.
Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!
they email the link to you as well
so just hit up the hotel internet kiosk, get the front desk to print them for you
Funny, Ticketmaster doesn't mention that
when they tell you your ticket delivery options.
Hindsight, indeed. Hopefully something I’ll be able to re-try sooner rather than later!
Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!
I think for the renovations
They are going to put in automated kiosks to alleviate the lines. If not, they should.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
they had them before renovations
at the front office entrance. It was very easy to deal with.
4th place 08 baby! Baby steps (Thanks, Jose Guillen!) is the name of the game.
by loyal2theroyals on Jul 8, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Glad you had a great time
Please go to more games, the team needs you!
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
It was amazing
and that night at the K, with my name (and face!!!) on the scoreboard was definitely the highlight of it for me.
Chaim Mattis Keller New York City's # 1 Royals fan!
I was at that game too!
I also made loud references to “Gload explode” during that entire series. We must have been in different parts of the stadium.
You’re lucky you chose that particular game, because it was the only time that series the Mexicutioner was summoned. That ovation…damn, I’ve never heard/felt anything like that at the K.
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