KANSAS CITY --- The Kansas City Royals will return home tonight to begin a homestand with the Chicago White Sox (September 10-12) and Minnesota Twins (September 13-16). Many events will take place throughout the stay, including "C" You in the Major Leagues (September 11) and Dream Factory (September 12). Danny Duffy will be honored as the Roberto Clemente Award nominee on September 15.
In conjunction with the 50th Season Celebration at the end of the homestand, Royals Charities and the Royals Community Relations Department will host Royals in the Community Week. They will take part in multiple events, both in-stadium and in the community throughout the week. Please see below for details.
Monday, September 10 - Chicago White Sox vs. Royals, 7:15 p.m.
· All-American Girls Professional Baseball League Appearances - Members of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League will appear before the game against the White Sox. They will sign autographs in the Royals Hall of Fame and be honored on the field prior to first pitch.
Tuesday, September 11 - Chicago White Sox vs. Royals, 7:15 p.m.
· This One's for You - In conjunction with Armed Forces Night presented by QuikTrip, Folds of Honor and Price Chopper, the Royals and FOX Sports Kansas City will honor members of the 35th Battalion currently stationed in the Middle East. Aramark will provide food and beverages to families of the troops at a tailgate in the Hall of Fame Pavilion tent prior to the game. Families will also get special t-shirts and a free ticket to the game. As a part of the USO "This One's For You" broadcast on the Armed Forces Network, Royals alumni George Brett, Bret Saberhagen, Reggie Sanders and Mike Sweeney will watch the game with the troops in the Middle East.
· "C" You at The K presented by Darol Rodrock Foundation - Royals General Manager Dayton Moore, together with the "C" You in the Major Leagues Foundation (CYITML) and the Royals, will host area groups to join him at select games this season. The preselected special guests will watch batting practice, enjoy dinner with Moore and watch the Royals game. The CYITML Foundation started in January 2014 to support youth baseball, education, faith-based organizations and events and families in crisis throughout the greater Kansas City area and beyond.
· State Farm Volunteer Activity - Royals fans can assemble back-to-school packs for Community Services League by visiting the State Farm tent inside Gate D. State Farm will distribute co-branded drawstring bags to the first 200 fans who volunteer to assemble single-subject spiral notebooks, colored pencils and highlighter markers into back to school packs.
Wednesday, September 12 - Chicago White Sox vs. Royals, 7:15 p.m.
· Special Olympics Clinic presented by Price Chopper - The Royals will host 50 athletes from Special Olympics Kansas City Metro for a game on the field of Kauffman Stadium. Participants will play a friendly softball game in left field featuring select Royals players as honorary coaches. Following the game, the participants will receive a box lunch courtesy of Aramark.
· Dream Factory - Throughout the season, the Royals grant the wishes of Dream Factory of Greater Kansas City children. These youngsters, who face life-altering challenges, will meet Royals players, watch batting practice from the dugout and enjoy the game and refreshments. Their Royals experience appears on the KMBC-TV (Channel 9) 10 p.m. newscast.
· Royals Dream Factory Children Reunion - To commemorate 25 years of the Royals partnering with the Dream Factory, more than 200 former honorees who were honored as children, along with their family members, will be special guests at the game. During a special presentation prior to the game, a select few will be recognized alongside Larry and Ruth Moore, long-time Dream Factory volunteers, who have been involved with the partnership from the beginning.
Thursday, September 13 - Minnesota Twins vs. Royals, 7:15 p.m.
· The University of Kansas Health System Visit - Current Royals players and wives will visit The University of Kansas Health System to distribute Starlight Children's Foundation Royals gowns to patients. Shadow Buddies will also hand out Royals Charities buddies.
· Royals Charities Grant Announcement - Royals Charities will reveal wheelchair accessible golf carts for the Kansas City Zoo purchased with a $50,000 grant to Variety Children's Charity of Kansas City during pregame ceremonies at Kauffman Stadium.
Friday, September 14 - Minnesota Twins vs. Royals, 7:15 p.m.
· Operation Breakthrough and Literacy KC Visit - Royals Charities, alongside Royals players and alumni, will visit Literacy KC and Operation Breakthrough. The charitable foundation of the Royals will present the nonprofit organizations with a $50,000 grant to go toward the Literacy KC/Operation Breakthrough building campaign. Raised Royal children's books will also be distributed.
Saturday, September 15 - Minnesota Twins vs. Royals, 6:15 p.m.
· Alex Gordon Fastpitch Classic presented by Price Chopper - Royals outfielder Alex Gordon will appear at the Alex Gordon Fastpitch Classic, presented by Price Chopper. More than 75 softball teams from throughout the Midwest raise funds for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and participate in the tournament taking place at the Blue Valley Recreation Center. During a special presentation, participants will learn more about the children impacted by Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and hear from Alex Gordon recognizing them for their efforts.
· Mayor's Play Ball Clinic presented by Price Chopper - Royals alumni will appear alongside Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James at the Mayor's Play Ball Clinic, presented by Price Chopper. The event will take place at the Kansas City Urban Youth Academy and will feature 75 boys and girls taking part in various baseball activities.
· Kennedys to host Group from Police Athletic League of Kansas City - Each Saturday, pitcher Ian Kennedy and his wife, Allison, host a group from the Kansas City area in a fully-catered Dugout Suite. This day, guests from Police Athletic League of KC will meet Kennedy prior to the game and receive a special gift from the family.
· Royals Charities Check Presentation - Royals Charities, in partnership with Aramark, will present a check to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation during pregame ceremonies at Kauffman Stadium representing all proceeds raised through Royals Charities throughout the season and proceeds raised by Aramark through in-stadium lemonade sales.
Sunday, September 16 - Minnesota Twins vs. Royals, 1:15 p.m.
· Royals Charities Check Presentation: Royals Charities will announce a $50,000 Royalty Fields grant to the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kan., Parks and Recreation Department to help renovate a baseball field at City Park in KCK during pregame ceremonies at Kauffman Stadium.
· Roberto Clemente Award Royals Nominee Honored - The Roberto Clemente Award is the annual recognition of an MLB player who best represents the game through extraordinary character, community involvement, philanthropy and positive contributions, both on and off the field. All 30 Clubs nominate a player for the award. Pitcher Danny Duffy will be honored as the Royals nominee during a pregame ceremony prior to Saturday's game.
Fans may purchase tickets online at royals.com, by calling 1-800-6ROYALS, at area Price Chopper stores or at the Kauffman Stadium Box Office.