Surprisingly Royals Stadium Plans Are Still Full Of Questions

Kansas City Royals owner John Sherman spoke at the Royals rally over the weekend, and surprisingly, or maybe not, didn't have much new information to shed on where the team will be playing after their lease at Kauffman Stadium expires in 2030.

As a Royals fan, I've been rather vocal that I don't think the team needs a new stadium. Frankly, I would rather see them keep playing at Kauffman and let the stadium become a historic living example of the ideal late 20th-century modern ballpark. I've also made my peace that that's not in the cards.

So, I've turned my attention to hoping they build their new stadium somewhere it's not too hard to get to from West Central Missouri and that they create a beautiful new stadium that makes even the most loyal K supporter stop and think, "Hey, this could be fantastic."

KSHB TV reports that Sherman says the team isn't ready to discuss their future plans yet, but they hope to be ready to do so in late June or July.

Sherman says many serious discussions are happening behind the scenes, including economic development work. Now, discretion and confidentiality are essential as the team tries to decide where their new home will be. He also mentioned that the sales tax question that failed last April was a wake-up call that the team needed to be better prepared, as well as a wake-up call to the community.

He did mention that the team is having conversations on both sides of the state line. However, he specifically said the State of Missouri has been very engaged and is working very hard to keep the Royals and Chiefs in Missouri.

As for where the team will relocate, the KSHB report mentioned that Sherman didn't deny the team was evaluating a Washington Square Park site north of Crown Center and east of Union Station along the KC Streetcar line, but he didn't confirm it either.

What I took from the KSHB article is that Sherman had a lot to say about the process the team is in the middle of, yet really wasn't ready to divulge anything that indeed shed light on where the ballpark will be, or what the taxpayers of Missouri or Kansas will be asked to pay for.

Regarding the Washington Square Park site, it seems to be the best idea I've heard from all the proposed sites. Certainly, for my money anyway, it is better than North Kansas City or out by the race track in Kansas.

As a fan, I want them to get the site right and then the ballpark right. A mistake on either part that leaves fans longing for Kauffman Stadium will not benefit the Royals, their fans, or the community at large.

You can listen to the Kansas City Royals in the Sedalia / Warrensburg area on 1050 KSIS starting this season!