Guide for Baseball Lovers in Kansas City

Lately it seems that football is getting all the attention in Kansas City (did someone say dynasty?!) but Kansas City has a lot to offer when it comes to baseball as well. So, grab some peanuts and cracker jacks for the road, it’s time to take the family out to more than just the ballgame!

Field of Dreams Playground at Wyandotte County Park
126th St. Bonner Springs, KS

Bring your young baseball lovers to Wyandotte County Park’s Field of Dreams for some pretend play and playground time. This is another wonderfully done baseball-themed inclusive playground by Variety KC (The Monarchs’ Legends Field has a similar one). At this stadium-shaped playground structure, kids can buy and sell tickets at the ticket booth and run the bases. The playground also features a score board and Royals colors throughout. There is a variety of play equipment including slides, adaptive swings, accessible merry-go-round, and a music area.

Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum
323 Armour Rd. North Kansas City, MO

Where’s the greatest collection of Royals memorabilia outside of Kauffman Stadium’s Royals Hall of Fame? Surprisingly, it’s at a restaurant! Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum is located in North Kansas City, just minutes from new favorite, The Rabbit hOle. This “restaurant inside of a sports museum” has a collection of items from three of Kansas City’s baseball teams – the Monarchs, Athletics, and the Royals.

Chappell’s has 100s of baseballs all autographed by Hall of Famers (including Babe Ruth), a World Series trophy (Oakland Athletics 1973), a Rawlings Golden Glove, a large collection of Kansas City Athletics uniforms, Bo Jackson’s jersey, homeplate from Municipal Auditorium, and countless autographs, photographs, pennants, steins, and bobbleheads. Order from their large and kid-friendly menu (think bar food) and spend some time just looking around. While baseball lovers will find plenty to explore, the restaurant represents every local team and just about every sport.

Chappell’s has been ranked as one of the top 10 sports bars in the country by multiple publications, including Sports Illustrated and USA Today. So, it really should be on every sports fan’s list. Chappell’s is literally filled floor to ceiling (look up for a jaw-dropping display of football helmets) with collectors’ items. You’ll even find an Olympic Torch (quite timely this summer!).

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
1616 E. 18^th St. Kansas City, MO

Kansas City truly has a unique and rich baseball history. In 1920, the Negro Leagues were established right here in KC at the Paseo YMCA. Kansas City’s team, the Monarchs, were one of best baseball teams of all time. The team won ten league pennants and two Negro League World Series. Famous names that played for the Monarchs include Jackie Robinson (first black player in the MLB), Satchel Paige (first black pitcher in the MLB), and Buck O’Neil (first black coach in the MLB). It makes sense then that KC would be home to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

This is the only museum in the country dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of black baseball and its impact on the social advancement of America. Read more about the museum in our Mom’s Guide to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City.

Monarchs Game
Legends Field, 1800 Village West Pkwy., Kansas City, KS

Think of a Kansas City Monarchs game as Royals Lite. If you have a baseball lover that is on the younger side or has lower patience levels, a visit to the Monarchs may be perfect. The overall experience is more casual, tickets and concessions are less expensive, parking is free and stadium navigation is easier. The Monarchs have also partnered with Variety KC to make sure the park is special needs friendly. There’s an inclusive baseball-themed playground that kids of all ages and abilities will enjoy, adult-sized changing tables in restrooms, communication and sign language boards, ramped seating for up close field experience and sensory kits available for checkout.

New in 2024, fans can now enjoy gluten-free concessions thanks to a partnership with Three Bears Bakery KC, which specializes in low-carb, sugar free ad gluten-free baked goods. Options will include gluten-free hot dog and hamburger buns, gluten-free pizza and other snacks. Like the Royals, the Monarchs have post-game bases runs on Sundays, promotional giveaways, themed nights (KU, K-State, Disney, Bark in the Park, etc.) and even fireworks (July 5 and August 23). Visit their Special Promotions page for details. For a complete guide to visiting the Monarchs consult our Mom’s Guide to Monarch’s Games at Legends Field.

TIP: If you’ve visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (see above), the Monarchs game makes a great tie-in. The team’s name itself honors the Negro League franchise and a portion of Monarchs’ proceeds go back to the museum. This year, the Monarchs and the museum are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the first Negro League World Series, which was won by non-other than the Monarchs!

Royals Experiences
Kauffman Stadium, 1 Royal Way, Kansas City, MO

Seeing a game at the K is a summer tradition and if you have a baseball lover in your family, you’ve surely been to a game or two. We love to make visits special by playing in the Outfield Experience, running the bases during Sunday Fun Runs, and making a visit to the Royals Hall of Fame to see the World Series Trophy. We recommend consulting our Guide to the Royals Game at Kauffman Stadium for all of these details and more. However, if you have a baseball super fan in the family, you may find yourself wanting more. Read on for some unique opportunities to enhance your next visit to the K!

 For the Newest of Fans

• Gender Reveal Package: If you’re expecting and you and your family are huge baseball fans, the Royals have a package just for you. The Gender Reveal Package ($500) is available on August 25, 224 and includes 4 lower-level tickets, 1 parking pass, 1 Blue or Pink Reveal Firework, Highlight on CrownVision and professional photos.
• Sluggerrr’s New Crew: Sluggerrr’s New Crew ($30) was made for brand new Royals fans. Memberships include soft newborn Royals sneakers, a custom pacifier clip, monthly milestone stickers, a muslin swaddle blanket and other special offers.

Gameday Experiences

• Sluggerrr In- Game Visit: Have Sluggerrr visit you at your seat. Each visit by Sluggerrr ($125) includes opportunities for photos and autographs and some merchandise. Make sure you book with at least one week’s notice. You can also Book Sluggerrr for an appearance at your birthday party, wedding or other special event ($200). Just make sure to give 6 to 8 week’s notice.
• Watch Batting Practice: Get an exclusive view of batting practice from behind the dugout (sections 101-125 or 206-225) with Early Bird Batting Practice ($15) or Watch Batting Practice from the Field as both teams take batting practice from the warning track ($199 for up to 8 people).
• Base Installation: Install first base yourself ($149). For ages 12 and up.
• Game Ball Delivery: Take the first ball to the pitcher’s mound before the game ($149). For ages 12 and up.
• Broadcast Booth Experience: Watch your favorite announcers call the action as you visit the Royals radio booth for an inning ($150)

Tours & More

• Pre-game Tour: See Kauffman Stadium in working action prior to a game ($40). Visit the Diamond Club, View Level, Writing Press, Craft and Draft, Hall of Fame, Outfield Experience and then watch batting practice from the seating bowl (visitor’s side). Fans must have a game ticket to participate. Psst! This is a great way to score the pregame giveaway item you have your eye on. Fans on the pregame tour will receive the promotional item upon entering the stadium. The Royals also offer Birthday Tours ($500 for 15 people), Alumni Tours ($500 for 4 people) and Daily Tours of different levels ($15-$35)
• Photo Shoots: Capture a special moment or milestone (birth announcement, birthday, family photos, senior photos, promposals, etc.) with the K in the background. There are many options for locations within the stadium. Prices vary depending on length of shoot and you must bring your own photographer.

Coming Soon!

College Baseball Hall of Fame (2025)

Baseball lovers, stay tuned! You’ll soon have another spot to visit. Earlier this year The College Baseball Foundation announced that the College Baseball Hall of Fame will establish its inaugural physical location at local favorite, the Museum at Prairiefire. The Hall of Fame is described as a “digitally immersive experience” and a “dynamic and ever-evolving space for college baseball enthusiasts to celebrate the sport’s rich past, present and future.” The Hall of Fame is expected to open in late 2025.

Satchel Paige House (TBA, possibly 2027)

Leroy “Satchel” Paige one of baseball’s greatest pitchers. He played for the Negro Leagues on the Kansas City Monarchs and was the first black pitcher in the MLB. Satchel Paige spent more seasons in Kansas City than any other community and called Kansas City home. His house is located at 2626 E. 28th St in KC’s Santa Fe Neighborhood. In 2018, the house caught fire and the home was nearly destroyed. Since then, efforts have been made to restore the site and a full renovation of the home and a museum is planned.

The team hopes to open within the next three years. You can sign up for updates. In the meantime, Satchel fans can visit the Paige’s impressive monument on Paige Island in Forest Hill Cemetery (6901 Troost Kansas City, MO). The site includes his biography, the story of his nickname and his rules for staying young. If you make it out to Forest Hill, look for Buck O’Neil’s gravesite as well.