NewsFans finding a comfort zone at 'The K'
Premium seating options provide perfect setting for a game
By Rustin Dodd / MLB.com
08/03/09 11:18 AM ET
KANSAS CITY -- In the middle of the Diamond Club, a man in a George Brett jersey sits at a bar and orders a drink.All around the man, people are moving.
Waiters and waitresses buzz about, four young men walk by on their way to order food, families congregate at tables filled with sandwich baskets and cups of ice cream.
And behind the man, the real show -- the baseball game -- plays out through the glass windows overlooking home plate.
Scenes like this play out at every home game at the Diamond Club, one of Kauffman Stadium's newest premium seating options.
The Diamond Club, which extends over four sections along the concourse behind home plate, debuted in April as part of Kauffman Stadium's $250 million stadium renovation.
"You couldn't do this at the old 'K'," says Jim Thomas, the man in the George Brett jersey.
Yep, you couldn't sit in an air-conditioned atmosphere behind home plate on a scorching July day and watch the game from the comfort of a bar stool.
You couldn't sit at a table and nibble on a pot-roast slider sandwich either.
And it's just one part of a refurbished stadium that has received a consensus of positive reviews -- including one from White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.
Earlier this season, Guillen sat inside the White Sox dugout and gave new Kauffman Stadium a glowing review.
"I always say this is one my favorite stadiums to come to," Guillen said, pointing at the renovated portions of the stadium, including the Outfield Experience and the Diamond Club.
Walk inside the Diamond Club before a game, and the first thing you'll probably notice -- or smell -- is the food.
There's the classic ballpark fare -- foot-long hot dogs, brats, frosty malts and all those other old Kauffman Stadium staples.
And there's a long list of new items as well. Try one of the sandwiches -- a pot-roast slider, smoked turkey grinder, hot roasted pork -- or try one of desserts.
There's also a "Taste of the Majors" table that highlights a specialty item representing the visiting team.
"We come for the dessert -- and stay for the baseball," said Sharon Jones, smiling at a table overlooking the field.
Jones is sitting inside, where all the seats are open on a first-come basis.
The seats outside are reserved.
There are 775 Diamond Club seats -- those are the padded ones in the sections behind home plate, just above the Crown Seats. There are also 175 Diamond Club Box seats -- seats with tables from which people can place orders and enjoy the game outside in the elements.
The Diamond Club seats are available at a season-ticket price of $55 per game, while the Diamond Club Box tickets cost $70, but come with a $20 loaded ticket value.
At times, both seats have been available at single-game prices as well.
Thomas is still watching the game through the glass from his same seat. On nice days, those windows can be removed, but on this day, they provide a nice barrier from the heat.
Something happens out on the field -- a base hit -- and the muted sound of cheers bounces off the glass windows.
The atmosphere has quieted a little as fans have focused in on the game. Thomas takes a sip and leans back in his chair.
"Yeah," Thomas says, "I'll definitely be coming back."
Rustin Dodd is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
