As the 2023 Major League Baseball season approaches, Kansas City Royals fans are eager to see what their team has in store. Following their World Championship in 2015, the Royals have had seven consecutive losing seasons. Despite some major changes in the team, it doesn’t seem that there is much reason to believe this season will be a dramatic shift from that narrative, but time will tell.

One of the most significant changes for the Royals was the firing of Mike Matheny and hiring of Matt Quataro as the new team manager. Quataro brings a wealth of experience to the team, having managed the minor league Tampa Bay Rays operation. He was highly desired in the current MLB hiring pool. The Royals are lucky to have him.

The player, Bobby Witt Jr., seeks to continue building his career since being drafted second overall in 2019. After hitting 20 home runs last year, it’s likely his goal will be to perform with even higher results. SBNation lists him as the team’s biggest strength going into the season, despite only being 22 years old.

The Royals are led by veteran Salvador Perez, who is still holding it down as catcher. Perez is surrounded by a strong core of younger players. Quataro was interviewed by the Kansas City star about expectations for the veteran catcher. “We want him in the lineup as many days as possible and we’re going to do our best to pick our spots to figure out how we make that work,” he said.

The Royals will face stiff competition in the American League Central, which includes perennial playoff contenders like the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians. However, with their new additions, talented young players, and skilled returners, the Royals have the potential to surprise their audience and go for a championship season.

Overall, Royals fans have reason to be excited and hopeful for the upcoming season. With a new manager, talented roster, and renewed sense of purpose, the team is in a position to make some noise and compete at a high level. It could be a prosperous year for Kansas City baseball fans.

March 20 was the official beginning of the spring season, but there is still plenty of time to enjoy spring in Kansas City. Leaving the dreary winter and entering sunny days is the perfect opportunity to get outside and explore. Spring can be a stressful time for college students with final exams looming, so taking time to enjoy yourself can be a great way to de-stress. Here are some ways to enjoy the season:

1. Farmer’s Markets

The farmer’s market in City Market, located in downtown Kansas City, is an excellent way to enjoy the warm weather and support local businesses. There are a variety of vendors that sell fresh and local produce, plants and handcrafted items on Saturday mornings. The atmosphere is fun and lively with great food, making it an enjoyable weekend outing. After walking around the stalls to shop, you can also grab a coffee or lunch at the surrounding restaurants. There are plenty of authentic restaurants and food markets that offer a variety of cultural cuisines. 

1. Plan a picnic

Setting up a picnic outside is a fun way to take in the sunshine and relax. Planning a picnic with your friends is easy and a great photo op too. You can make or buy some food, set up a blanket and chill. There are endless locations for a great picnic including the Nelson-Atkins Museum Sculpture Park, Loose Park and William Jewell College’s campus. You can catch up with friends, read or just take a moment to breathe.

1. Visit a botanical garden

Spending time around nature and beautiful flowers is sure to lift your mood and help you appreciate the earth. Spring is the perfect time to see flowers bloom before it gets hot outside. There are a variety of gardens in the Kansas City area. Some of the most popular are The Ewing and Muriel Kauffman Memorial Garden, Powell Gardens and Overland Park Botanical Gardens. 

1. Cheer on the Kansas City Royals

Springtime means baseball is in season. Cheer on the Kansas City’s Royals at the Kauffman Stadium as they begin their season April 7. Enjoying a baseball game with friends is the perfect way to have fun and enjoy the day. Even if you’re not a big sports fan, baseball games have a great atmosphere and food. 

1. Volunteer in the local community

This spring is the perfect opportunity to get outside and help out the local community through volunteer work. Earth Day is in April and is a reminder to take care of the environment. You can volunteer through KC Parks to assist with litter cleanups, gardening and landscaping and park beautification. It only takes a couple of hours to make a difference in your community. You can see other volunteer opportunities here. 

1. Pickleball

Pickleball is a fun sport for players of all abilities. It’s super easy to pick up and fun to play with 2-4 players. The nice weather is ideal for trying pickleball or perfecting your game. Chicken N Pickle, in North Kansas City, has many outdoor courts available for rental. You can also enjoy food and drink after your game in the lively outdoor spaces. 

The Kansas City Royals’ TV ratings have taken a nosedive since their World Series victory in 2015, and the Kansas City Chiefs benched the Royals in the eyes of the public with the arrival of Patrick Mahomes. However, the 2021 Royals are now looking to shock the world, as they have yet to lose a series.

The underdog charm of the Royals is back better than ever. They are continually ranked low in the official Major League Baseball power rankings, yet they are only behind the Dodgers for first place in the American League. Despite their record, they are in the 20th spot on the MLB power rankings. This was the same story back in 2014 and 2015, making fans excited for a potential ending similar to that of the 2015 season. 

When the 2021 season began, the front office signed Salvador Perez to a four-year contract extension through 2026 worth $82 million. So far, Perez has put his money where his mouth is as he has already accomplished his 1000 career hit milestone, a collection of home runs and excellent fieldwork in the catcher position. His success has turned into team success, proving his value as a veteran leader in the clubhouse. 

Chief’s superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes became a part owner of the Royals following the signing of his half a billion dollar deal, and he has stated his excitement about the boys in blue.

“I mean, I think we have the best record in AL right now,” Mahomes said. “I know it’s by a couple of percentage points, but to see them starting so hot and really getting contributions from everybody on the team gives me optimism of having a great run. It’s carried over since spring training and will hopefully carry through the rest of the season.”

The Royals played the Tampa Bay Rays and begun a series against the Detroit Tigers, a division rival in the AL Central. They look to continue their hot streak, and manager Mike Matheny said he is optimistic. 

“It’s a long season,” Matheny said. “You’re going to have the ups and downs. But to see some of the ups that we want and that level of expectation. To see that I think is very important for a team. A team that has high expectations for the rest of the way.”

If the Royals are able to win both of the series against the Rays and Tigers, it should give them the edge they need to move up the power rankings into a position that they are more deserving of than being at 20.

Kansas City – the home of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. Chiefs and Royals fans are known for their passion and outrageous team spirit. Locals embrace their teams, but if you’re not from the Kansas City area, it is a whole new experience in the sports world.

“I am from Ankeny, Iowa. There aren’t any pro sports in my town, so being close to Kansas City is a whole new atmosphere,” sophomore biochemistry major Rachel Schon said. 

Some students’ hometowns do not have a professional sports team, so the Kansas City sports atmosphere can be a whole new experience for them. 

“It’s fun because at home there wasn’t a professional sports team so the atmosphere was nonexistent, but now there’s a sense of camaraderie and everyone rallies together in hopes for wins,” Schon said. “I think the atmosphere is super exciting. I love watching sports and supporting competitive teams, and it’s nice that the people who live here feel the same way.”

Being a student at William Jewell College, there is an opportunity for students to adapt to the Kansas City sports culture if they do not have this back home. Students become accustomed to the Kansas City culture and usually become a Chiefs or Royals fan. 

“I was not a [C]hiefs fan before moving here, but I am now,” Schon said.

There are a majority of students who already have hometown professional sports teams and have to adapt to being surrounded by the Chiefs and Royals culture. 

“I am from Cedarburg, Wisconsin, which is about a half hour north of Milwaukee. We have the Milwaukee Brewers, our baseball team, Milwaukee [B]ucks our basketball team and the Green Bay Packers,” junior nursing and ACT-In [major] Kalli Murphy said.

The Chiefs culture is exciting for out-of-state students to have the opportunity to be in a community atmosphere with other students from the Kansas City area. 

“I get excited about it because it’s the same frenzy we had up in Packer nation in 2011 where you will go anywhere in public and everyone is wearing green and gold even in [S]unday church. It’s a very similar pride that [I] see here on [C]hiefs game day,” Murphy said.

The Chiefs’ culture is contagious and can draw in anyone, even if they have another favorite team.

“I was not a Chiefs fan until I moved here! I have become a big Chiefs [fan,] and they have now become my number 2 team. I actually am a bigger fan of Patrick Mahomes over Aaron Rodgers! I will always support the [C]hiefs except when they play the [P]ackers,” Murphy said.

Being immersed in the Kansas City sports culture can go beyond sports. It can help bring a sense of home to some students or help them find a community, where they can have watch parties or attend a game together. 

“I have actually become a much better Packers fan since moving here at Jewell because there is just something about representing where you came from, and it just shows a part of who you are. I bet everyone in this area has great memories of watching the Chiefs on game day with their family and friends and lots of food,” Murphy said. “That’s what all my memories come back to from home living in a household of sports fans. It just reminds me of my family and my home!”