List of baseball parks in Kansas City, Missouri facts for kids

Truman Sports Complex

Kansas City, Missouri, has a long and exciting history with baseball! Over the years, many different stadiums and fields have hosted professional baseball teams. This article will tell you about some of these important places, from the very first fields to the modern stadiums we know today.

Early Baseball Parks in Kansas City

Baseball became popular in Kansas City very early on. Here are some of the first places where professional teams played.

Athletic Park: A First Home

• Home of: The Kansas City Cowboys/Unions (part of 1884 season).
• Location: Near Southwest Boulevard and Summit Street.
• Today: This area is now used for shops and businesses.

Association Park (I): "The Hole"

• Home of: The Kansas City Cowboys/Blues (1886), and other teams from the Western League and American Association.
• Location: Around Lydia Avenue, Sixth Street, John Street, Tracy Avenue, and Independence Avenue.
• Today: An Islamic Center stands where this park once was.

Exposition Park: A Busy Spot

• Home of: Many different Kansas City Blues teams from 1888 to 1901. These teams played in various leagues like the Western Association and Western League.
• Location: Near East 15th Street (now Truman Avenue) and Montgall Avenue.
• Today: This area is now home to businesses and factories.

Sportsman's Park: Also Known as Recreation Park

• Home of: The Kansas City Blue Stockings and Cowboys (1902–1903).
• Location: Near Indiana Avenue and 17th Street.
• Today: Part of this area is now under the I-70 highway.

Shelley Park: Home of the Royal Giants

• Home of: The Kansas City Royal Giants, a team from the Negro leagues (1910–1912).
• Location: Near Oak Street, Missouri Avenue, Locust Lane, and Independence Avenue.
• Today: A fire station and highway interchange are in this spot.

Association Park (II): A Major League Park

• Home of:
  • The Kansas City Blues (1902–1922).
  • The famous Kansas City Monarchs from the Negro leagues (1920–1922).
• Location: Near 19th Street, Olive Street, 21st Street, and Prospect Avenue.
• Today: This site is now a public park called Blues Park.

Gordon and Koppel Field: Federal League Action

• Home of: The Kansas City Packers (1914–1915), who played in the Federal League.
• Location: Near Lydia Avenue, The Paseo, 47th Street (now Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard), Tracy Avenue, and Brush Creek.
• Today: Kiely Park and other businesses are now located here.

Historic and Modern Baseball Stadiums

These stadiums played a huge role in Kansas City's baseball story, including hosting Major League Baseball teams.

Municipal Stadium: A Long History

• Other Names: Blues Stadium, Ruppert Stadium, and originally Muehlebach Field.
• Home of:
  • The Kansas City Blues (1923–1954).
  • The Kansas City Monarchs (1923–1927, 1929–1930, 1937–1950).
  • The Kansas City Athletics (1955–1967).
  • The Kansas City Royals (1969–1972).
• Location: Near Brooklyn Avenue, 22nd Street, Euclid Avenue, and 21st Street.
• Today: This important site is now a community garden and a public park.

Kauffman Stadium: Home of the Royals

• Original Name: Royals Stadium.
• Home of: The Kansas City Royals (1973–present).
• Location: One Royal Way, part of the Truman Sports Complex. It's near Arrowhead Stadium, Interstate-70, and Interstate-435.
• Fun Fact: This stadium is known for its famous fountains and crown-shaped scoreboard!

CommunityAmerica Ballpark: Modern Independent Baseball

• Home of: The current Kansas City Monarchs (American Association) (since 2010), who were previously known as the Kansas City T-Bones (2003-2009). They play in the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.
• Location: This stadium is actually in Kansas City, Kansas, at 1800 Village West Parkway.
• Today: It's a popular spot for baseball fans in the area.

See also

• Lists of baseball parks