KANSAS CITY, Mo. — While nearly 41,000 fans filled Kauffman Stadium for Game 7 of the World Series, thousands more watched the game from right outside. The massive parking lot is shared with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs. It's perfect for tailgating, and for fans who want to be close to the action, but don't have a ticket. As World Series tickets soared to more $600 for standing room only, many fans chose to enjoy the game from the comfort of RVs and camping chairs.
Tailgating game 7!! #TakeTheCrown #Royals pic.twitter.com/dw3Cq5TmiU
— Matt Gromer (@matt_gromer) October 30, 2014Roman LeBlanc, from Kansas City, has only been bringing his RV to baseball games at Kauffman Stadium, known by fans as The K, for the past two years. A fan since the age of six, he remembers he and his family of 10 siblings climbing into the back of a pickup truck and heading to Hot Dog Night at the K. "Kids ate free hot dogs on that night," he said. "There were five girls and five boys, and tickets were maybe $2 or $3."
Now, he brings his three daughters to games at The K in a slightly different way. "If you're not going to get in the game," he said "this is the best place to watch." He pointed out the many perks — all-you-can-eat food (many fans bring BBQ from home or their favorite spot in Kansas City), no long lines for the bathroom, and a sense of community, camaraderie and friendship.
Oh, and they don't have to stop serving during the seventh-inning stretch. Not a bad deal.
The fans Wednesday night endured the coldest Kansas City game of the season (55 degrees at gametime), but there were no complaints in the lot. Kids played football and baseball, plenty of people huddled around bonfires, and the cheers from the stadium served as a sort of surround-sound system for the televisions perched in truck beds.
All in all, not a bad way to watch the World Series.