Royals prep for MLB’s crown jewel

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, MO

The anticipation in Kansas City is almost over: The All-Star game is merely a week away [on July 10].

“People haven’t been here in a long time, because no postseason games have been played here since 1985,” Royals vice president Mike Swanson said Tuesday. “We want people to say, ‘Wow, they did a heck of a job and we want to go back.’ That’s what we want.”

Kauffman Stadium recently underwent a $250 million renovation in part to lure the All-Star game back to Kansas City, and commissioner Bud Selig officially awarded the game on June 16, 2010.

Two years of whirlwind preparations are about to come to fruition.

“I’m looking forward to next week, the All-Star game and all the events we have,” Selig said during a conference call Monday. “We’re having a remarkable year on the field, and frankly off the field, as we’re going over 37 million in attendance.”

There will be no shortage of fans in the seats for the All-Star game, either. There were only a few tickets still available early this week for All-Star Sunday, which includes the Futures Game and the Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. The Home Run Derby [July 9]and All-Star game are sold out.

How hot are tickets? Entire strips in the Diamond Club section behind home plate could be had through secondary markets on Tuesday afternoon for nearly $3,500 each.

There will be 2,556 credentials issued to reporters, technicians, officials and others associated with the event, second only to the 2008 All-Star game at the old Yankee Stadium.