Royals' HD scoreboard to one-up 'Godzillatron'

We're a bit perplexed as to why the Kansas City Royals are becoming the next baseball team to get a substantial stadium makeover -- considering the team's record over the past few years and all -- but hey, we can't complain about "the world's largest HD LED scoreboard," now can we? Along with the giant board in center field, the stadium will also receive a myriad Daktronics displays along "the fascia of the upper deck along right and left field," and two ribbon boards (each 380-feet in length) will be "positioned in the outfield above the new restaurant / bar and Hall of Fame." All told, $250 million will be spent sprucing up the ballpark, and while fans will be seeing that 100- x 85-foot HD scoreboard next season, the entire project should be completed by 2009.

Read - Kauffman Stadium getting $250 million renovation
Read - World's largest HD LED display

[barlo.mung @ Oct 4th 2007 5:59PM]

Neat enough, but with 93 losses under their belt and coming in last place this season it seems their money would be better spent on pitching or hitting.

[Nex @ Oct 4th 2007 6:27PM]

well i guess the owners feel that if their gonna lose, they may as well lose while looking good

[Joseph @ Oct 4th 2007 6:54PM]

And all 10,000 royals fans cheer. The reality is, if they stopped charging admission, they might get more people to come to their ballpark. Or if they had spent it on a better team, like in the bo jackson days, they might get more fans. As it is, people write off royals games as freebies.

Time to relocate

[Josh @ Oct 4th 2007 6:07PM]

It is my experience as a life long Royals supporter that it's the ballpark that draws people to the stadium and not the AAA caliber team put on the field. It's the same basic principle that the Cubs have been using since 1937.

[2ASquared @ Oct 4th 2007 6:39PM]

Exactly, I love Kauffman stadium. It's great place to watch a ball game, regardless if the Royals lose or not. Can't wait to check out the scoreboard opening day next year either.

[Joseph @ Oct 4th 2007 7:10PM]

by that logic, they should sell the team off and use that money on a satellite system to broadcast real baseball games or even just play movies. Since people are there for the park and not the team.

[SteveMB @ Oct 4th 2007 9:43PM]

It's certainly not the case with PNC Park. There aren't many fans that go to the games yet it's a very beautiful park.

[joshman @ Oct 4th 2007 6:22PM]

What a waste. Why not put this where people will actually view it.

[Jeff Goldberg @ Oct 4th 2007 6:23PM]

I guess this is Glass' idea of a good investment? What a moron...

[Tom Glick @ Oct 4th 2007 6:26PM]

Wow an HD scoreboard. That'll be great, just like if you were actually at the park...

[Steve Sparkes @ Oct 4th 2007 6:37PM]

The colonials seem to take rounders very seriously!

[jaden82 @ Oct 4th 2007 6:54PM]

I'm a Kansas Citian, and while I'm not a rabid fan of the Royals, I follow the team and the news it gets. Seems like the money used for this renovation isn't from the team or its owner. It's from the county that approved a tax increase to fund renovations for both Kauffmann and Arrowhead (Chiefs) stadiums. Honestly, if it was just for the Royals when it was time to vote, I'm sure they'd shoot it down. It just happens to be that it's associated with the Chiefs in the bill. People here in KC are rabid, and I mean RABID, fans of the Chiefs and would do anything for the Chiefs. I like the Kauffmann stadium, but it is a bit behind in time compared to the newer stadiums I've been to, since it was built in the early 1970s. Certainly could use the renovations. With how the Royals are doing lately, you think they would be in a position to ask for a brand spankin' new stadium? They're lucky to even get the renovations.

[Twitchy @ Oct 4th 2007 8:47PM]

If sitting in the nose-bleed section at the coldest game of the season, having to break off the ice which is forming on ones jacket from the freezing rain, and not being able to feel any digits for hours after is rabid, then yes, yes they are. It helped that they beat the 49ers that day.

[Dull @ Oct 4th 2007 7:05PM]

The stadium is definitely need of refurbishing. I think the rout they are going for...If the fans are attracted to the remodeled stadium, then they should have higher attendance & sales, in turn, more money for players.

[Justin @ Oct 4th 2007 8:08PM]

Honestly, you'd be hard pressed to tell me even half the teams that have gotten new/renovated stadiums since 2000 had amazing seasons before their new stadiums were built. Detroit Tigers(2000), Houston Astros (2000), San Francisco Giants(2000, Milwaukee Brewers(2001), Pittsburgh Pirates(2001), Cincinnati Reds(2003), Philadelphia Phillies(2004), San Diego Padres(2004), St. Louis Cardinals(2006). Sometimes, teams need something new to be excited about, and aside from the stadium renovations, at least the Royals are on their way to contending with some young talent.

[sethfeldkamp @ Oct 4th 2007 9:43PM]

I'm a Royals fan, I'm considering getting a small season ticket package for the first time next year. The new scoreboard has nothing to do with it, rather I'm a bit concerned it's too big and will change the aesthetic of a beautiful stadium. The reason I may get tickets is because the team is improving, our pitching was above average this year, which is quite an improvement. We managed 3 months strait with a winning record. Better update you jokes before next season starts. May I suggest the Pirates?

[jed @ Oct 4th 2007 10:44PM]

Hey f off. i live in kc and it's not my fault that people voted for it. i cant vote. The idea for the retractable roof was struck down on question 2 and i can't believe they got enough money to get an hd led display.

[Thrillcekr @ Oct 5th 2007 12:48AM]

I'm from KC and I like it. It matters not whether they are having losing seasons in recent years. Most every team has had periods where they stunk the place up. The Indians, who are now in the playoffs, are a fine example of that. The Red Sox are another. The Royals were a dominant team throughout the 70's and 80's and they will be again one day. These things all go in cycles. Always have. The taxpayers voted approved it and are paying for most of it so apparently most of them don't mind spending the money on a losing team.

Besides, in spite of what some ignorant posters have stated, the Royals attendance really isn't too bad. In fact, there have been bad seasons before where they still outdrew winning teams from larger markets.

Personally, I do not live in Jackson County or I would have voted no on the renovation because I liked the idea of building a new park in downtown better. The Royals could have done that for close to what is being paid for the stadium improvements. I still don't understand why they fought so hard against that plan. However, the situation is what it is and I think this scoreboard is going to be a very nice addition to an outdated ballpark.

[duke @ Oct 5th 2007 1:37AM]

Are you kidding me? There is no room downtown. There is barely enough room for the new Sprint Arena. We don't even have any teams to play there yet either.

That being said I do believe you are right about attendance, it was up quite a bit this year. We do have some young talent for next season that should make things a bit more interesting. Glass does need to spend a little more money though. He runs the Royals like he used to run Walmart...REALLY CHEAP!

I was there when the Royals won the World Series...in my momma's belly!

Says the rabid fan, "Go Chiefs!" I love you Duane Bowe and the revitalized defense! You are helping to save the season!

[Thrillcekr @ Oct 5th 2007 1:50AM]

There most definitely is room downtown for a stadium. In fact, there are a few places in downtown where a new stadium would have fit well. Go to KCRag.com and check out several of the maps drawn up by urbanc planners which show where the stadium could have been built. Some of them require a few small buildings being cleared but none of historical significance. Only eye sores that eventually be torn down to buidl something else anyway.

Whether we have any teams besides arena league for the Sprint Center is irrelevant for a few reasons. Number one, as AEG stated, they make far more money from concerts than sporting events anyway. Secondly, we couldn't keep a team in the old one either but at least now the new arena is positioned next to the Power And Light District so there actually is quite a bit to do within walking distance of the arena which makes it a better source of revenue for the city and a more attractive site for new conventions. Number three, college hoops is way bigger in this area than any other arena sport that might end up at the Sprint Center and there will be plenty of that. Lastly, a new baseball stadium would obviously come with a tenant (the Royals) already in place.

[CP @ Oct 5th 2007 1:29AM]

the only reason this is going into KC is because bud selig (MLB commish) guaranteed them an all-star game before 2012 under the condition that kauffman stadium was significantly refurbished.

[BananaBoat @ Oct 5th 2007 2:22AM]

Let me break it down for you guys; The Royals owner is David Glass, a billionaire. The city will also be helping with the costs. That's the only reason that we are putting this new board up.

The only thing keeping the royals in Kansas City, is that the former owner (a saint) Ewing Kauffman LOVED the city. Almost noone in Kansas City is a fan (I was a fan when George Brett was around..not anymore) and tickets to the games only sell when the Yankee's or the Red Sox are in town.

Kansas City (I live in the Suburbs,luckily, but still, I count myself) is very lucky to have had such great men as Ewing Kauffman and Lamar Hunt.

[mike @ Oct 5th 2007 7:47AM]

I suppose I'm the only one, but after a couple of seasons with the 'Godzillatron' I hate it. It's a huge distraction and if I wanted to be pelted with commercials I could have stayed at home and watched it on my hd set.

I hope this fad dies, unfortunately I doubt that it will.

[PXP @ Oct 5th 2007 8:16PM]

I look forward to seeing this thing in action next season. Yes the Royals will probably still suck, but who cares? Its fun going to the game win or lose if you ask me, and I think many others agree.

and good to see some KC love on engadget!

[Mike @ Oct 8th 2007 8:44AM]

I LOVE KC TOO!

Cp was right about the all star game..I can't wait. I too wanted a new stadium downtown...but on the plus side..the K is on its way to one of the oldest parks in mlb..thats gotta bring a few fans.

We sell good for more then NY and boston..and as Butler and Gordon and Gathright get better so too will the Royals. BTW the Royals are not the worst or even 2nd worst team this year. It even looked like we might finish above the White sox in our own division.

[Grammar freak @ Oct 5th 2007 1:58PM]

I love the Land of Makebelieve vibe going on with that logo and kaufman stadium in general. I also like how it's named after a person instead of a corporation.

[J. Evans Turner @ Oct 5th 2007 6:16PM]

Hee hee...My web browser's title bar was obscured as "Royals' HD scoreboard to one-up 'God..."

[Mike @ Oct 8th 2007 8:45AM]

OH..think how much San Fran sucks next year without bonds in lineup.