Paw Prints the Magazine

The Kansas City Royals’ Ball Park becomes a Dog Park on 9/27

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By Stacy E. Smith

Having a “dog” and a beer at a baseball game will take on a whole new meaning for the first time at Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium as the Kansas City Royals welcome fans and their dogs to watch them play the Minnesota Twins on September 27th for the first annual Bark at the K event. Of course, Paw Prints The Magazine is thrilled to be one of this year’s sponsors.

Anyone that has attended a professional sporting event with their dog can attest to that fact that it is a great experience for the entire family – including the furry family members. We’ve participated in other dog-friendly, professional sporting events and can tell you first hand that it is a blast – not only to participate in, but to watch as well. Not to mention the fact that by participating you’ll be helping three local animal shelters: Half Way Home Pet Adoptions, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City and Wayside Waifs. The money raised at the event will be split evenly between these three worthy charities.

All of us that own dogs know all too well that there are so many places you’re just not allowed to take your dog and for those of us that enjoy activities that include Fido, entertainment options are definitely limited. We love the idea of being able to take a dog out to a ball game and the Kansas City Royals is betting you’ll want to participate in this event year after year.

Emily Wudi, a Group Sales Representative has been working hard on this event and explained why the ball club opted to do it this year, “We haven’t done the event in the past because we thought that logistics of the event would be too much to handle for our stadium. This year, with the renovations, we have several new areas that we are able to utilize for the event. The other main reason do this was to get involved with some of the charities in the area. Dog/pet charities are an area that the Royals had not yet explored and this event is a great opportunity to do so. Most of the proceeds are going to the charities so they raise money and we sell tickets, It seemed like a win-win situation for both of us. This year we are trying nail down the basic elements of the Bark at The K event (which has been done by several other sports teams around the nation). So, there will be a limited amount of tickets sold as well as a limited amount of booth space for vendors that wish to participate as well.”

For some pre-Bark at the K fun we did a photo shoot with a few of the Royals players’ pets (along with their families, of course).

The players that participated are crazy about their dogs and brought them decked out in KC Royal blue and even some KC Royals doggie-style gear.

The Gordon's: Jamie, Ruby Anne, Alex & Lucy

Third baseman, Alex Gordon and his wife Jamie are pictured with their dogs, Lucy (the white one) and Ruby Anne (the black one).

The Hochevar's: Ashley, Gracie & Luke

Pitcher, Luke Hochevar and his wife Ashley posed with their Saint Bernard puppy (yes, she’s still a puppy in these photos), Gracie.

Pitcher Ron Mahay, his wife Alison and their children, Madison (10), Mackenzie (7) and Mason (3 ½), are seen here with their dogs Bently (the little one) and Bailey (the bigger one).

The Mahay's: Madison, Mackenzie, Alison, Bentley, Ron, Bailey & Mason

So, here’s the scoop…

The game is at 1:10 pm on Sunday, September 27th. The ticket package for one dog and one human is $25 and each additional human ticket is $15. The rule is one dog / one human, so if you want to bring more than one dog you must purchase separate packages and an adult must accompany each dog.

The ticket packages must be purchased in advance and include a Royals Dog Bowl for you to take home and donation to the Greater Kansas City Humane Society, Half Way Home Pet Adoptions and Wayside Waifs.

Not only will all three charities offer adoptions during the event, but there will be a costume contest, vendor booths with lots of great pet-related businesses participating, and KC Disc Dogs will be performing – flying discs and flying dogs – it is really fun to watch.

For more information about Bark at the K and to order tickets, please visit www.royals.com/barkatthek. You may also contact Emily Wudi at 816-504-4161 or email her at emily.wudi@royals.com

*** Pictured at the top:  ‘Lucy’ Gordon and ‘Gracie’ Hochevar run the bases at Little K.

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Tags: Alex Gordon, Bark at the K, Half Way Home Pet Adoptions, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, kansas city, kansas city pet events, Kansas City Royals, Kaufman Stadium, Luke Hochevar, Minnesota Twins, pet event, Ron Mayah, tzceud57f6, Wayside Waifs