Article: The Saints Travel To Kansas City For Championship Series

[Kevin Luckow]

Calling all Baseball Fans!

 

Summer need not be over. This weekend in Kansas City, the Twins are playing out the string and the Royals have had a terrible season, but if you head west on I-70 about 25 miles, the St. Paul Saints will battle the Kansas City T-Bones in the American Association Championship Series.The first two games were played at CHS Field on Tuesday and Wednesday night, with the T-Bones taking Game One by an 11-4 score. Wednesday night, behind a clutch pitching performance by staff ace Eddie Medina, the Saints evened the series at a game apiece. Heading into the sixth with a 2-0, Zach Walters hit a two-run home run to give the Saints a 4-0 lead and Dante Bichette Jr. followed immediately with a long home run to make it 5-0. Medina went eight shutout innings allowing three hits, striking out five and only walking two. The Saints won Game Two 6-0.

 

Friday night the scene shifts to Kansas City where the T-Bones throw ace pitcher Tommy Collier with the Saints starter to be announced. Game Four is slated for a 7:05 pm on Saturday while a deciding Game Five, if necessary, will be at 1:05 on Sunday afternoon.

 

A little background on T-Bones Stadium: the ballpark opened in 2003 when John Ehlert relocated the Duluth Superior Dukes from the Twin Ports. It is located near Legends Outlets which developed as the T-Bones became a fixture in Kansas City. Kansas Speedway is also located nearby. This weekend the Speedway is hosting the American Royal World Series of Barbeque, rendering all hotels in the Legends area unavailable.

 

Tailgating just like at Kauffman Stadium is allowed. Although it's not like St. Paul, it is an option for pregame fun. If that's not your speed, there are plenty of bars and restaurants near the ballpark within walking range. Parking, unlike most minor or major league ballparks, is free. Tickets for this weekend's games are only $8, with beers and hot dogs going for only $1.50.

 

If you're looking to mix the Twins and Saints into a trip, the Twins begin a four-game series at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday with games on Friday and Saturday nights and a day game on Sunday. Unfortunately all games have the same start times that the Saints games do in Kansas.

 

I would recommend staying in Overland Park. Located south of Kansas City, Overland Park is equidistant to T-Bones Stadium and Kauffman Stadium with plenty of 2 1/2 to 3 star hotels currently available on Priceline for $75 or less. You could run into Saints staff at the hotel as many of them are also staying in Overland Park, following the Saints to cheer them on this weekend.

 

Looking for something to do as eating BBQ can only take so much time out of the day? The Negro Leagues Hall of Fame Museum is located in Kansas City. Currently on Groupon there is a deal where two people can get in to the Museum for only $12.50. You just never know who you may run into there.

 

So before putting the shorts and T-shirts away and digging your favorite hoodie out of the closet, take one last summer trip to see some baseball. Our St. Paul Saints would greatly appreciate your support as they try to bring an American Association championship to St. Paul.

 

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[Devereaux]

I should be in KC

[ashbury]

I did not realize the T-Bones were in Kansas state. Makes sense now that it's pointed out - very analogous to Minneapolis and St Paul.

 

Hope the Saints fare better in the KC Metro Area than the Twins did last night.

[Sarah]

Yeah, the T-Bones are in Kansas City, Kansas which is right across the state line from Kansas City, Missouri. I went when I was there to watch the Royals and Twins - the T-Bones ballpark is very nice and not hard to find, I would recommend it. And for anyone who is an outdoorsy type there is also a HUGE Cabela's right by the ballpark. Rooting for the Saints to celebrate a championship there this weekend! 

[ashbury]

It happens that ashburysteven and I were in KC on July 21-22, but we were there to watch the Twins play the Royals, so we didn't think to explore anything about the 'Bones.