It was a busy three days in and around Kansas and Missouri this past week, all without actually venturing into the heart of Kansas City, Missouri, which I am looking forward to on a later trip this fall.
Still even with touching the fringes of KC, there were a ton of best practices and learnings, as those ‘little things’ that make a big difference continue to add up.
The inclusive walkout. All Star games on every level always have their share of fun and special moments, and the American Association All Star Game at Legends Field had several, including the game ending with a walk off triple. However, the best practice takeaway actually occurred at the start, with each of the players being accompanied by a Special Needs child as they took the field. We have seen players accompanied by moms, dads, elite young athletes, but using the lineup as an opportunity to give these young people the ability to be part of something unique and special was different and noteworthy, and something others should not as you tie CR and social responsibility to the pageantry.
Take A Baseball Book. I am a lover of libraries and take special pride in looking at the mini libraries people create in various and sundry places. However, we spotted one outside the Royals Youth Academy that was different and worth a best practice. It was a team branded little library that held books about baseball. Now why can’t other teams do the same, even outside stadia? A great way to rally young people, or any people, and help grow the sport through reading.
Speaking of the Royals…It may be older, but Kauffman Stadium had a host of special stops that made it really nice, even with the hometown team dropping their game to the Diamondbacks Wednesday. The Royals Hall of Fame had something for everyone way beyond jerseys and bats, from a wide array of bobbleheads to a breakdown of the inside of a baseball that touched on the science of construction. Most Halls of Fame focus on the trophies, the takeaway here was as much focus on the fan, with lots of little nuances mixed in. All of that, being able to get close to the legendary dancing fountains, made the ballpark trip more than worthwhile.
In With the New…CPKC Stadium, the first year home of the Kansas City Current and the home of this year’s NWSL Championship Game, has gotten a ton of accolades for design, thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Two elements I loved while walking around…the press box dedicated to the late Grant Wahl, whose untimely passing during the World Cup continues to be a void in the coverage of the sport, and the printed message describing Title IX that each athletes has to pass on the way to the field. Both serve as indelible reminders of being bigger than just the game and show all of the thoughtfulness that the club has brought to the game.
More The a Game. I have heard a great deal about the Negro Leagues Museum and the work that Bob Kendrick and his team have done in positioning and storytelling around the stories of the athletes. What I found was much more…from the stories of the media who told the stories, to the personalities off the field, to the women who played to the showmanship and the hardship that the players dealt with. Yes, there were lots about the stars big and small, but I found the ancillary storytelling so visually important, and again educating us about that past and leading us to where we didn’t think we were going to go, as long as we had an open mind.
Lawrence. Allen Fieldhouse is in the midst of renovation, but it was great to spend some time watching and learning about all things Jayhawks athletics, especially basketball, while watching practice on a warm afternoon. Even without getting to spend a lot of time in the legendary building, it was great to better understand the culture and the ability to team and learn from one of the nation’s great, and most progressive athletics departments. And yes, I found the original rules of basketball, just outside the legendary building, on the wall, for all to see. Little things like that are what will keep KU special for decades to come.
Not a bad three days, and while I got to see the renovated Kemper Arena and found myself at the home of Sporting Kansas City and the Truman Library, there is still much more to visit the next time around. The lessons learned on this trip will last forever, and thanks to all who made it happen.
