About 15 hours before, people had sat there, on the first-base line and in the upper deck on the left-field side, and watched Tony Pena Jr. hit a walk-off single against the Twins.

Now, no one will sit in those spots until next April.

Kauffman Stadium's capacity has decreased from about 39,000 to 27,000 for the rest of the season as part of the stadium renovations. Each level will lose seats.

The construction that's already widened the concourses and knocked out the Stadium Club is kicking into high gear so the Royals can get an estimated 90-95 percent of everything finished for Opening Day 2009.

Vice president of ballpark operations and development Bob Rice led a tour of the recent changes and said everything was going according to plan. Actually, much better than planned. A stadium renovation like the one Kauffman is undergoing should usually take a year longer than they've planned, he said.

Gone right now are six Dugout Plaza sections from 105 to 106 on the lower level behind home plate, along with some restrooms, a concession stand, the Hall of Fame and the ticket office in that area. It is being demolished to make room for the Diamond Club and a renovated lower level section called the Dugout Concourse.

On the other side, near left field, the lower, club and view levels are also getting a makeover. The Stadium Club is closed and will be reduced in size for next season to make more room for suites. A temporary wooden fence is in the upper deck -- around third base -- blocking off seats all the way to the edge of the section that fans can no longer use.

It's similar on the lower level. Gate C will be closed, along with section 139 in left field.

None of the renovations will be finished this year, but the Royals plan on making as much progress as possible during the warm summer and fall months. About the only part of the stadium that won't be complete by Opening Day is the new Hall of Fame.

Here's a recap of all the changes to expect for next season:

Diamond Club -- This will be a new section for the 900 ticket holders who have seats behind home plate. These fans will have the opportunity to purchase drinks and food items in the Diamond Club. It won't be all-inclusive like the Crown Club, but will be a step up above the Stadium Club.

Dugout Concourse -- These lower level seats will be next to the Diamond Club on the first-base and third-base sides of the field. Each side features 1,600 seats.

A new restaurant -- Tentatively called Rival's, this bar and grill restaurant will be past the seats in right field. It's possible that FSN, which telecasts Royals games will conduct part of its pregame show here, allowing fans to watch the on-air broadcasters before the game starts.

A bar -- On top of the platform in left field, which has Jackie Robinson's No. 42 on it, the Royals are building a bar. Robinson's number will no longer be visible there and has already been moved to above the home bullpen.

Fountain seating -- In 2009, fans will be able to sit beyond the outfield walls in left and right field. In left field, there will be reserved seating above the fountains. In right field, any fan can stand in front of the fountains in a standing-room only section. No special purchase is necessary for this area. Fans are expected to come and go from this area back to their seats as they please. The section should fit approximately 200 people.

Hall of Fame -- Two separate floors will make up this building beyond the left-field fences. The lower level will feature five meeting rooms that can be reserved and an outdoor deck. The upper level will tell the story of Kansas City baseball, according to Kevin Uhlich, senior vice president of business operations. Sections of the Hall will include information about the Monarchs, Cowboys and A's -- teams of Kansas City's past. Of course, most of the Hall will feature the Royals. Among the planned exhibits are tributes to George Brett, the 1985 World Series team and the 23 inductees of the Royals Hall of Fame.

New Concourses/Concessions/Landscaping -- Fans should already be able to see the construction of wider concourses on the east side of the stadium, the side nearest right field. When the season is over, construction crews will work on the current concourses to complete this part of the renovation. New concessions stands, including those with different styles of food, will line these new concourses. Outside the stadium, fans can expect to see more green -- plenty more trees will line the area around Kauffman.

The Crown -- The golden pieces behind the stadium are parts of the old crown. The new one hasn't been built yet. Royals officials said they aren't sure what they're going to do with the old pieces yet, but there's a possibility that they'll put at least some of them in the new Hall of Fame.