Extra Innings with the K Crew

My Top Ten List

2008-09-06T01:19:51Z

Because of my new busy schedule with school, volleyball and grad school, I haven't been able to work as many games as I would like lately. However, I was finally able to get on the schedule for this past Wednesday night. I was so excited at the thought of being back at the stadium, catching up with my long lost K Crew friends, and just enjoying the fans and everything about being at the game. After school, I changed into my powder blue uniform so I would be ready to go right after volleyball practice. All of my players enjoyed the Royals spirit and a couple of them even inquired about how to get on the K Crew. Needless to say, I was SO excited about the game...and then I got a phone call from Emily as I was almost to the stadium to find out it was cancelled!! I feel like most people get excited when they find out they don't have to go in to work...but I was genuinely SAD!

I had planned on writing this blog about my first game back, but instead, I compiled a Top Ten list all about the amazing qualities of being K Crew member!!

Drumroll please...

Top Ten Reasons it's a GREAT day to be a KCrew Member:

We get to be at the stadium all the time. I seriously just love being there so much!!
All kinds of cool uniforms.
We get paid to do things we'd do for free, i.e. cheer on the Royals, run in hot dog suits, etc...
We get to meet all kinds of amazing exciting people, which this season has included David Cook, Emerson Drive and, of course, your Kansas City Royals!
We get to hang out with Tim Scott.
We get to be on CrownVision, the world's largest high definition video board! And occasionally on FSN!
We get to launch t-shirts and hot dogs from the dugout! There's just something really exciting about hopping up onto those dugouts between innings!
Tickets to the games. (This should actually be on a separate list entitled, "Top Ten Reasons It's GREAT to be friends/family with a K Crew Member.")
The opportunity to work with such exciting, talented people! (I started to give a shout out here to some of my favorite people on K Crew but the list was basically THE ENTIRE GROUP!!! I LOVE MY FELLOW K CREW MEMBERS!!!)
Just the feeling of being a part of such an exciting organization as the ROYALS!!! There's just a certain excitement and pride that comes with saying, "Yeah, I work for the Royals."

Now after making this list, I'm really missing the best job ever, so there better be no rain in the forecast for Saturday or Sunday, because rain or shine, I'm going to The K!!!

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Always on My Mind

2008-08-23T02:04:10Z

School is under way. Every student in Senorita Dyer's classroom has seen plenty of blue... and I'm not just talking about the blue of the Grain Valley Eagles' school colors, but also the POWDER blue of my Royals! The first couple of days I spent some time getting to know the students, as well as letting them get to know me a little better. I couldn't help but smile and get pretty excited each hour when a student asked me where I worked this summer. I think I've inspired all 182 of my students to want to be future K Crew members one day!

Tomorrow Homestand #10 continues with the Giant Banner Flag giveaway to the first 20,000 fans presented by Fox Sports Net Kansas City. I'm thinking that will have a place in my classroom right next to all my other Royals excitement! Today in class, I was fingerspelling words in American Sign Language for my students to recite to me. The first word I fingerspelled was R-O-Y-A-L-S, which they all got correctly pretty quickly. I'm not for sure if it's because my students are just that intelligent OR because they know me that well already to know that of course I'd be talking about the Royals!

I meant to include these pictures from the golf tournament in last week's blog, but I forgot. However, I think it's important enough to go ahead and put up a week late, because it needs to be known how important the "helpers" are for the Hot Dog Derby! Emily is so kindly helping me here in this picture get my shoes all strapped in before the big race. Each time we do the Hot Dog Derby, different K Crew members are assigned the role of "helpers." This role may sound not that important, but really it's actually super important, because it is a little more difficult to successfully get in those suits than one might think! It takes some hard working K Crew members to help get the racers all ready to go... because if those straps aren't tight or the suit's not on quite right, victory might be just one fall away for ol' Ketchup, Mustard or Relish! This second shot also includes Amy who was also very helpful in getting us all ready to go that morning. You girls are great! Thanks for LETTING me run!

A couple of weeks ago, I received a phone call from Community Blood Center thanking me for being a regular blood donor with them and asking me if I wanted to come in and give during "Royals Week." I love giving blood, so I said I'd definitely come in, and when I got there I was pretty excited to see what "Royals Week" entailed... Not only did I get a fun Royals T-shirt, but also two free tickets! I told the lady taking my health information about K Crew and my own involvement with the Royals, and she asked me if I had my uniform with me to take a picture. I just happened to have my powder blue in the car, and I agreed as long as she promised to be nice with the needle! She was, and I was able to save three lives while wearing my favorite uniform!

Even when I'm not at the stadium, from my classroom to blood drives, the Royals are always on my mind!

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Spreading My Royals Cheer

2008-08-16T14:54:05Z

This entry is a little late getting to you, as I've started my first week of teaching and coaching at Grain Valley High School. As I sat in meetings ALL day, there were several times that I would glance out the window and see the sun shining, and I seriously longed to be outside at The K launching T-shirts or even running in the Ketchup suit! Being inside all day (and in long meetings, nonetheless) perhaps gave me yet another appreciation for just how amazing life as a K Crew member really is!

Last homestand, we had a lot of exciting things going on. Since I didn't have any pictures last entry, I made sure to get several for this blog! I will let the pictures tell the story of Homestand #9 with just some words from me explaining all the fun that is going on...

I've talked all season long about the great people I have the opportunity to work with game after game... I feel like a broken record, but these people just really are pretty fantastic! I couldn't ask for better co-workers. In this picture, Chris is giving me a REALLY great present he brought me back from his trip to Chicago where he got to visit Wrigley Field. And oh yes, he wore a Royals hat to the game!

When selecting people for our promotions, we have a couple of guidelines we go by...you've got to be at the game early when we're looking for contestants, and it's a must that you have Royals apparel on! On this particular night, I spotted this young Royals fan, and just knew he would be PERFECT! Not only was he wearing a Royals t-shirt, but a hat and tattoos as well! But little did I know that he would be such an expert about the Royals! The inning before the Commerce Bank Hard Hat Shuffle while I sat with him, he was explaining more to me than I can even tell you! Players' statistics, pitching strategies...this guy knew it all! And he, of course, also won the prize for knowing the ball was under hat number 3!

Kirby and I had the pleasure of hanging out with these good looking guys during pre-game in the press conference room. I later got to see Nick and Jake several times during the game, and I'm pretty sure they even caught some launched hot dogs too! Jake had one of the best first pitches I've seen all year!! I'm pretty sure Trey Hillman will be giving you a call in a few years, Jake!

K Crew helped out at the Royals Charities Golf Tournament, which benefitted the Special Olympics. Sean and Sarah took care of the T-shirt gun, while Emily, Amy, I participated in the Hot Dog Derby to start off the tournament. There's nothing like starting your day off at 8 AM with a little jog in the Ketchup suit!

As excited as I am about my new career as a teacher and coach, even writing this blog just reminds me how incredible of a job I have with the Royals where "work" is defined as being at the stadium, getting fans excited, and launching hot dogs. Oh, and I found out this past week that in the foreign language department, I am working with a White Sox and a Cardinals fan!!!! But don't you worry, my classroom is already well represented with every bobblehead we've given away this season! I will certainly share my enthusiam for the Royals with all 182 of my students!

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

A Little Fame

2008-08-07T01:14:25Z

Since first beginning with K Crew, I have joked with my friends about the sudden fame that comes with the prestigious role that comes with launching hot dogs and photo shoots and such. They have enjoyed continually teasing me about being "famous," but last homestand I began to wonder if there was some validity in the constant teasing.

I'll share with you some of the fun happenings and let you be the judge...

I was the Worship Rally Leader for my church's Vacation Bible School, so it was my job each evening to get the kids all excited in the opening and closing ceremonies. Every night there were kids that came up to me after I got off stage asking me, "Did I see you on the dugout at the Royals game?" or "Did you give me a tattoo at the game last week?"
My family went to Ruby Tuesday to celebrate my mom's birthday, and as we were being seated the hostess asked if she knew me. I talked to her for a minute, but didn't think I recognized her when she asked, "Wait- do you work for the Royals?" My brother answered for me that actually I play first base. Hahahaha...
At the game Saturday afternoon, Adam and I were sitting with some fans when we ended up on FOX cheering on the team to beat the White Sox. When I got back to the locker room, I had seven text messages and two voicemails from friends telling me they saw me on TV!
As I was driving home from that same game - still in my K Crew uniform - I was about five miles from home in Odessa when this van full of a Little League baseball team pulled up next to me honking and waving and cheering excitedly for the Royals! They had signs and everything!

Famous? Maybe not. But excited about what I do for the Royals? Definitely.

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

My Favorite People

2008-08-01T16:07:10Z

I'm sitting at my friend Bonnie's apartment while her and my friend Jennifer are playing Guitar Hero. The song they are rocking out to is "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and I literally felt like I needed to be on the dugout reaching into my bag to be throwing a t-shirt out for the K Crew T-shirt Launch!!! It was so crazy how hearing that song just completely me put me in the mood to be getting my K Crew on! It also was a friendly reminder to me that I needed to be updating the blog!

The last homestand was a great time with a ton of awesome promotional giveaways. It also was a week of extremes from some crazy rainy weather to some intense heat! I worked five games in a row and even with the extreme weather, I was seriously just more and more excited to be at the stadium with each game. Every game, we are partnered up with someone for the night, and in those five games I worked with some of my very favorite people! Here are some pictures from one of the rainy nights we had last homestand...

I always enjoy working with Adam! He does a great job at not passing a single kid without making them feel so special and excited to be at the game! And no one has more enthusiasm for RELISHHHH than Adam!

These are some fun guys that I had the pleasure of dancing to Garth with... they were really wanting to get on CrownVision, but we didn't make it on there that night, so I promised them a shout out on the blog! Thanks for the dance, guys!

These are four of my very favorite K Crew members!!!! I just can't say enough how as a group, K Crew just has so much fun together... whether we're on the dugout, doing a promotion, or eating together in the locker room... things are always such a good time with the K Crew!

This was our girls only picture because it was Girls Night Out at the K!! What a fun night! And oh yes, that's our amazing singer Kirby in the picture--every time she sings, I'm more and more impressed and hear from so many of our fans how much they enjoy her leading the Seventh Inning Stretch! Keep it up, Juno... I mean Kirby!

Things are about to get exciting again at the stadium as we're coming home from sweeping the A's in Oakland for the first time in 20 years! Tonight starts our three game homestand with the White Sox with Buck Night and Fireworks Friday. And you don't want to miss Military Appreciation Day with our Camo Cap Giveaway tomorrow!

And Bonnie and Jennifer are still going at "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," and I still can't wait to be up on the dugouts tomorrow night hitting YOU with my best shot!!

I've said it before, and I'll certainly say it again...
It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

What a Small World

2008-07-25T15:01:46Z

I know I've said it before, but I really do just get to meet the most wonderful people that we honor with the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat. Just yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet Liz Arnold who has volunteered for more than 15 years for Dream Factory. This organization is completely volunteer based and helps makes dreams come true for children that are very ill.

Liz brought her husband and two friends along, and as I first met her friend Edna, I thought she looked familiar. As we began talking, Liz mentioned how Edna's son is a quadriplegic. I told her that was interesting because I had just got back from seeing my boyfriend who is riding his bike across the country to raise awareness for people with disabilities.

As I started to tell her more about PUSH America and Journey of Hope, Liz excitedly pointed out that she knew all about Journey of Hope because Edna's son, Mark, was the host in Olathe! Not only had I just met Mark the day before, but I had even toured his home and learned all about how he lives all on his own. I left Mark's house completely inspired by his motivation and desire to accomplish so many things when it would be so much easier to just allow someone else to do them for you.

Edna told me she thought she recognized me when I first came over to talk to them about the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat. It was such an exciting realization of what a small world it is, and yet another example of the incredible people I get to meet as a member of K Crew.

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Gearing Up for a Great Week

2008-07-21T15:16:03Z

The Boys in Blue are back at the K tonight to begin a very fun and exciting homestand! After a three-game series with the Tigers, we'll be taking on Tampa Bay in a four-game series. Of course, the guys will be bringing all sorts of excitement and entertainment on the field, but the excitement certainly isn't limited to the pitching and bat speed of the team. We have a ton of really exciting promotions and fun stuff going on in this week!

Generally, I wait and tell you all about everything we've had going on after we've completed a homestand, but there were just too many great giveaways and events, that I wanted to give you the heads up before they happen!

Don't miss any of these awesome nights at the K...

Tuesday: T-shirt Tuesday! Get your Frank White Powder Blue T-shirt!
Wednesday: Ink College Day...Show a High School or College ID at the Royals Ticket Window starting 1.5 hours before game time and receive an Outfield Plaza or View Level Box ticket for just $7 each.
Thursday: Girls Night Out! Bring all of your girlfriends out to the K! The party starts at 5:30 PM in Lot H. The first 20,000 ladies will receive Pink and White Rhinestone cap presented by Meierotto Midwest Jewelers.
Friday: A night of fan favorites...Dodge Buck Night and Fireworks Friday presented by Hy-Vee and Pepsi.
Saturday: The 610 Saturday Party presented by Miller Lite begins at 4:00 PM at Gate A. Plus the first 20,000 fans will receive a Dan Quisenberry HOF Bobblehead presented by Dodge. You won't want to leave this game early either...Emerson Drive will be performing a concert from the field after the game!
Sunday: A great day to bring your family out to a ballgame. It's Friends and Family Day presented by Bob Evans, and kids can run the bases after the game during the Sprint Fun Run. This Sunday is also an Autograph Afternoon!

After being out of town for a large portion of the previous homestand, I was just telling a friend that I get to work five of the seven games this week. Catharine then pointed out that not every one says "I GET to work" when talking about their job... but it really is the truth when you're on the K Crew! See you out at the ballpark this week!

It's a GREAT day to a Royals fan...
-Erica

It's Good to Be Back

2008-07-14T16:41:23Z

I worked Friday night's game after being out of town for the past couple of weeks, and it was so good to be back at the stadium! And very exciting to be back on a victorious night against the Mariners with tons of fans in their Royals' Cowboy Hats!

Even as I was out of town, I certainly didn't forget about my boys in blue back home in Kansas City. I feel like my K Crew duties shouldn't be limited to the confinements of the ballpark, so I was busy spreading Royals cheer all over the past couple of weeks...

I'm always thinking of the Royals... even on the beach of Tybee Island!

And then I wore my Royals shirt proudly at church camp! So many of my campers were so excited to hear about the incredible opportunity I've had this summer with K Crew. It is probably one of the coolest jobs to get to tell people about... because everyone is always so excited! And who doesn't like getting to tell people they get to run in a hot dog suit??

Here's a picture of my camp "family" where I certainly wasn't the only Royals fan!

And church camp is about the only place I'd be standing this close to a crazy Cardinals fan! We are actually all pretending to be excited in this picture about a fake proposal I received earlier that night from a camper, but later I told Hannah (the silly Cardinals fan) that really we're all admiring my super cool ROYALS bracelets!

While I've loved spreading the excitement of my favorite baseball team from Tybee to Camp Bobwhite, it was great to be back at the stadium Friday night!

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

A Fun Week for Royals Fans

2008-06-19T20:38:02Z

Just this afternoon, my dad came in the house disgusted that he had just heard on the radio how excited people were for tomorrow night's game because of the "biggest fireworks display ever in Kansas City." In a tone that could only be one of a true Royals fan, he said, "We wouldn't want to be excited because we're coming home after winning four games in a row- potentially five- but no- we're excited because of the fireworks!" He went on to talk about the successful last few games, and somewhere amidst the stats and such, my listening became a little less attentive. But it wasn't even just minutes later when my mom walks in the door all excited asking if I could get tickets for her and my dad to go to tomorrow night's game... because you guessed it- she had just heard about "biggest fireworks display ever" on the radio! My dad and I exchanged a look that was priceless. Whether you're coming out tomorrow night because (like my dad) you're a huge Royals fan and you're excited to see the guys get their sixth consecutive win or because (like my mom) you're excited to see those fireworks everyone is talking about... either way, I cannot wait to see you there!

And a special thanks goes out to Kirby this afternoon, because I had already used my tickets for tomorrow night's game, and she so kindly helped me out so that my parents can see the game... and Sky Show! Kirby is the K Crew member whose talents don't just stop at throwing hot dogs or launching t-shirts, but this girl can SING! Each time she sings "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the Seventh Inning Stretch, I can't even count the number of fans that come up to me asking about her and complimenting her talented voice! Thanks so much, Kirby!

And check out all these great pictures from the watch party we had Tuesday night down at the Power and Light District as we cheered on the Royals to beat the Cardinals!!!

It was such a great time, with tons of giveaways and special promotions and fun for everyone in attendance!

It was an incredibly successful night... from the victory on the field to the excitement and enthusiasm of everyone that was back here in KC.

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

The Best Place in the World

2008-06-13T22:21:55Z

Game three of a short homestand with the Texas Rangers proved to be victorious! It was a short but sweet three game homestand here at the K...

Aaron and I were just talking Tuesday evening how coming to the stadium is almost an escape from everything else going on in life. Whether it's work or relationships or whatever else is a little stressful in life, it's almost as if when you walk in the gates of the stadium, life just slows down a little bit in a really great way. There are so many things I love about being at the K... the smell of ballpark hotdogs, the fun music, the nice weather, but most of all are all the incredibly friendly and great people.

I feel like everyone is always in a good mood... from the nice lady that scans my parking pass to the optimistic guy that always says, "Going to be a good game today" as I walk in Gate B to the sweet lady that makes the bathroom so nice and pretty to the courteous event staff men who open the doors for me.

You might think I'm making this up, but these are seriously the people that I encounter every single game as I'm walking to the K Crew Locker Room! That is not even to mention the amazing people I am greeted by upon walking into our room... just today, I walked in a little bit late to find Tyler had rolled some extra t-shirts that he shared with me.

That also doesn't go to mention the incredible quality people I've had the opportunity to meet while assisting with the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat. Every single game, I have the most inspiring and heartfelt conversations with such impressive servants of our community.

These adorable girls with their super sparkly homemade signs are yet another example of the excited and enthusiastic fans that make life better at the K. They did a great job of cheering throughout the entire game! Future K Crew girls... I think so!

I think some people get stressed out going to work. Not me. Come to the K. Watch the best game in the world, baseball, with the best people in the world, Kansas Citians, on the largest HD video board in the world, CrownVision. It's got to be the best place in the world.

Leave it to the Royals to bring the team to you even when the Boys in Blue are playing in St. Louis. Come down to the Power and Light District in Downtown Kansas City on Tuesday, June 17, for a Royals Watch Party. We'll have all kinds of entertainment (including the K Crew, of course), and you can watch the game on the video board above the KC Live! stage. It will be a fabulously good time for Royals fans of all ages! See you there!

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Crazy Cool People

2008-05-31T17:55:42Z

Tuesday evening, I couldn't help but think about the long overdue blog that need to be written as we were going crazy for the rally at the bottom of the ninth that put us into extra innnings. It truly was "Extra Innings with the K Crew" on Tuesday night at the K.

As I was leaving the game that evening, a friend of mine called, and he asked me if I was sick of being at games all the time yet... because to be honest, when I heard that we would be working about half of 81 home games, I remember being mildly concerned about my level of commitment for the summer.

If you combined all of my game attendances in my lifetime, it still wouldn't be the amount of games I'd be working in this one summer. But when he asked me that, my answer was such a sincere and genuine, "Are you kidding me?! I LOVE THIS JOB!"

We get to run in hot dog costumes, dance on dugouts, meet so many dedicated Royals' fans, give free stuff to adorable little kids, and just get to be at so many of the games!

Even after our work at the stadium is done... when the last t-shirt has been launched and the last tattoo has been handed out, K Crew's time together is not. After the game Tuesday night, we all headed to Denny's for some post-game breakfast.

For our profiles for the K Crew Web site , I remember being asked what my favorite thing about being on K Crew was and at the time I thought it was "all the crazy cool uniforms." But now I'm not so sure... don't get me wrong--I still love our "crazy cool uniforms," but I might just have to change my answer to "all the crazy cool people I get to work with."

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

One Fun Week

2008-04-30T15:38:33Z

It's been said that a picture is worth a thousand words, so I'm going to let these pictures do some of the talking with just some brief captions from me to explain all of the K Crew fun that is going on in each photo...

I had the pleasure of hearing Trey Hillman and Dayton Moore share their testimonies at my brother's school (Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) last Thursday. As an area representative for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, I left EXTREMELY impressed with these two men that are in such prestigious positions in the Royals' organization and using their influence to share about the most important thing in their lives--not baseball, but God. As I left the service, I told my brother I'd never been more proud to be part of this organization than I was upon hearing the leadership has such solid beliefs.

Friday evening, I was in charge of the Buck O'Neil Legacy Seat, which is awarded every home game to a member of the community who embodies an aspect of Buck's spirit through generosity and kindness towards others. This was my first time working with this particular facet of our pre-game ceremonies, but I cannot imagine a more a deserving person for this honor. I enjoyed every minute of getting to speak with Fern before the game. Her compassion for others radiated throughtout her every word and gesture. Fern, who turns 85 this September, has spent 17 years dedicating her time and talents to the Raytown Shepherd Center's Meals on Wheels program, and she also actively volunteers with several other Raytown organizations and causes. I am so glad that part of my job that evening was to meet such a fantastic person!

This last picture is of me and my two adorable little cousins, Keagan and Logan, who were braving the unseasonable cold for our victory against the Blue Jays Friday night.

I wasn't able to be at the game Saturday night, but a friend of mine was sending me text messages with score updates all evening. I was in Wal-Mart when I heard the final score that we had won, and I decided my role as a K Crew member really shouldn't be confined to the stadium, so I took it upon myself to announce to everyone in Wal-Mart that we won!!! My favorite quote of the night was when I started yelling, "Royals...in aisle WONNN!!"

From the inspiring words of Trey Hillman and Dayton Moore to the sweet sincerity of Fern to the sillyness of my own public service annoucement at Wal-Mart, it was one fun week to be K Crew member.

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Sporting the Powder Blues

2008-04-21T20:14:13Z

As I started to write the latest entry for "Extra Innings with K Crew," I couldn't help but think of what happened in San Diego Thursday night when it took the Rockies THIRTEEN extra innings to beat the Padres 2-1. It made me wonder what we'd be launching out during Inning #22 at the K!

While the team has been on the road this week, K Crew has still been sporting the powder blues all over KC. On Tuesday, the University of Missouri-Kansas City hosted a Royals-themed luncheon in the dining hall. Emily and I joined Sluggerrr for some ballpark food with students. We handed out 250 free Royals shirts and tons of bracelets, pins and schedules. It was fun to see how excited students are about the Royals...well the team and also just the excitement of free t-shirts!

Jacqueline, Kate, and I got to make a quick- but fun- appearance at another baseball-themed event at HOK Sport. The Kansas City architecture firm was celebrating their work on ballparks across the country, including Kauffman Stadium renovations. We threw t-shirts and passed out lots of Royals goodies to the HOK staff.

After working several games last week, it's been so much fun to talk to all of the fans that saw us at the games. I can't even count the number of people from my work, community, church, and some just complete strangers that have came up to me this week and asked if I work for the Royals. I'm always so proud to say yes and tell them all about what we get do with K Crew. Just yesterday, a coach from one of my schools saw me checking in at the office and goes, "Hey- you gave my son a bracelet last weekend!"

I also never get tired of the attention that we get when we're in our uniforms...whether it's walking into the stadium or getting gas on the way to an event--people see the jerseys and just get excited! I had some kids come up to me at QuikTrip and ask for an autograph, and then later that same day on the drive home, some guys honked and yelled "Go Royals!" when I was stopped next to them at a red light.

I love baseball. I love this job. But most of all--I love my Royals.

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Opening Day Excitement at the K

2008-04-10T17:32:52Z

I wasn't working the game last night, but I was checking Royals.com every few minutes to check the status of the game. I'm pretty sure I've never once wondered what the score was when I wasn't at a game. It's official--I AM A ROYALS FAN.

Not the kind I've been in the past, where I was more excited about the Kiss Cam than the score, but the kind that reminds me a little bit of my dad. For as long as I can remember, my dad has been a TRUE Royals fan. The kind that loves the Royals in the good seasons, but also the not so good seasons. The kind that gets a little annoyed when people cheer louder for the Hot Dog Derby than for the team. And when I've inquired about this constant dedication of his, he always says it all started with the excitement of going to games in the 80s. I've never quite got it...until Tuesday night.

As I was looking up at the stadium full of blue screaming fans through the eyes of the Ketchup costume- I felt a little bit of that excitement. As Emily and I walked around the stadium to our next event and people were yelling and cheering as we walked by in our K Crew uniforms, I felt that excitement. Then with two outs at the top of the ninth, as fans started standing to their feet and clapping, again I felt that excitement.

From beginning to end, opening day was such a feel of that kind of excitement that I'd only heard my dad talk about as he reminisced of the 80s. K Crew got to the stadium for our pre-game meeting at noon, and then seven hours later we were in that same room catching our breath from the whirlwind of a day. We assisted with pre-game (i.e. chatted with Emerson Drive on the field), launched t-shirts, ran in hot dog suits, sang to some Garth, threw out Cracker Jacks, helped with all sorts of promos, did some 7th inning stretching on the dugouts, and last but certainly not least--cheered as the Royals beat the Yankees for our very first home game of 2008!

I checked the final score. Another victory for the home team. Come out and feel that excitement from the 80s coming alive... just leave the scrunchies, leg warmers and big hair at home.

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica

Royals Fever Sweeps Through KC

2008-04-04T02:46:05Z

I logged into Facebook this afternoon to find the following three status updates in my newsfeed...

Jackie Kitterman...ROYALS!! :)...that's a sweep!

Jimmy Peddicord...Royals are 3 and 0!

Brady Madsen predicts 162-0. Just 159 to go.

Royals fever is in the air, and I could not be more excited about having the opportunity to be part of this team. The fever was evident last weekend when the K Crew visited a Brigade game at the Sprint Center. Fans went crazy when they saw the K Crew armed with royals.com T-Shirts. Even the fans at the Brigade game knew it was time for baseball season and the K Crew T-Shirt Launch.

Just Tuesday night, we had our walk-through before the big home opener, which is just FIVE days away. We had another photo shoot before learning everything you can imagine about Kauffman Stadium. I'm not going to lie--it was a tiny bit overwhelming, but there was something extremely exciting about walking up onto the field that night. The lights were on, CrownVision was looking incredible, the grass was freshly cut... As I looked around at everyone stepping onto the field, I think we were all feeling the excitement and honor of being a K Crew member.

Not only does the K Crew bring excitement and honor, but also celebrity. To benefit the Autism Alliance, Jacqueline and Kristin were celebrity servers tonight at Beauchamp's on the Rail in Lee's Summit. Other celebrity servers included Kansas City Chiefs players. The news and excitement of the Royals' sweep over Detroit filled the restaurant.

After the game today, I text messaged a friend of mine all excited about the sweep. He first wrote back, "Haha yes, I'm proud you heard!" This was him thinking he's funny because in the past, I haven't always been as up to date with Royals knowledge as I'm certainly going to be this year! He then went on to write, "I know, I'm definitely excited about their season. What a good year to be a K Crew member!"

With everyone around me so excited about the team, it makes everything I'm getting to do that much more exciting--from putting on our jerseys to having the opportunity to spend these "extra innings" with you!

It's a GREAT day to be a Royals fan...
-Erica