WEEKDAY FROM NOW UNTIL APRIL 2ND. RIGHT NOW, THE KANSAS CITY LIBRARY IS HOSTING A TALK ON THE FUTURE STADIUM TAX. WE CAUGHT UP WITH ONE SPEAKER BEFORE THE EVENT AS KMBC NINE S ALAN SHOPE SHOWS US HIS FOCUS IS ON THE IMPACT OF BASEBALL. ALL YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE RIGHT IDEA AND THE RIGHT BALLPARK AND THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE. GARY SARNOFF IS A MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HISTORIAN AND AUTHOR OF SEVERAL BOOKS ABOUT THE SPORT. HE SAYS NEW BALLPARKS ARE GREAT, BUT IT’S THE PRODUCT ON THE DIAMOND THAT JUDGES SUCCESS. IT’LL START OFF VERY GOOD, JUST LIKE ANY OTHER NEW BALLPARK. HOWEVER, WE’LL SEE WHERE IT GOES FROM THERE. YOU KNOW, ONE WAY TO KEEP THE FANS COMING IS BY WINNING GEARY INVITED TO KANSAS CITY ON TUESDAY BY THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE DISCUSSION THIS EVENING ON THE CHIEFS AND ROYALS TAX EXTENSION VOTE COMING UP ON APRIL 2ND. GARY SAYS THAT DECISION IS FOR THE VOTERS. HE SAYS THE PLANS TO MOVE DOWNTOWN FOR THE ROYALS IS ABOUT MORE THAN JUST THE GAME. THEY’RE LOOKING FOR NOW. A FULL COMPLEX. THEY WANT NOT JUST THE BASEBALL ENTERTAINMENT, BUT TO HAVE RESTAURANTS OR MUSEUMS OR OTHER THINGS TO DO, HE SAYS. SO FOLKS WILL WANT TO MAKE A WHOLE DAY OUT OF THE EXPERIENCE AND TEAMS CAN MAKE EXTRA MONEY, HE POINTS DOWN THE ROAD TO SAINT LOUIS AS A PERFECT EXAMPLE. YOU GO THERE, THEY’VE GOT THE HALL OF FAME MUSEUM, THEY’VE GOT RESTAURANTS, SPORTS BARS. GARY SAYS HE EXPECTS THE ROYALS TO LOOK AT ALL THE OPTIONS IF THE TAX DOESN’T PASS, BUT HE JUST HOPES NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, THEY HOLD TRUE TO THE KANSAS CITY BASEBALL HISTORY. KANSAS CITY HAS A WONDERFUL BASEBALL HISTORY, A WONDERFUL TRADITION, AND I HOPE THEY HONOR THAT IN KANSAS CITY. ALAN SHOPE KMBC NINE NEWS. AND THERE IS STILL A
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MLB historian discusses baseball's impact on Kansas City at stadium sales-tax debate
The debate guest speaker says he's neutral on the proposed tax. However, he does believe baseball has an undeniable impact on a community.
On Tuesday, the Kansas City library hosted a stadium sales-tax debate at the Kansas City Public Library on the Plaza. It served as a forum for folks to come to hear both sides of the tax that will be on the ballot on April 2.Gary Sarnoff is a Major League Baseball historian and author of several books about the sport. He says new ballparks are great, but success is judged by the product on the diamond.The debate guest speaker says he's neutral on the proposed tax. However, he does believe baseball has an undeniable impact on a community.“It will start off very good, just like any other new part ballpark has in the past. However, we'll see where it goes from there. One way to keep the fans coming is by winning," Sarnoff said.He says the plans to move downtown for the Kansas City Royals is about more than just the game.“They're looking for now a full complex they want not just the baseball entertainment, but to make it a whole day restaurants museums, or other things to do," Sarnoff said.He believes the goal will be to make people create an entire day out of their experience watching the Royals, creating additional money for the team.He points down the road to St. Louis as the perfect example.“You go there, they've got the Hall of Fame Museum. They've got restaurants, sports bars," the historian said. Sarnoff says he expects the Royals to consider all their options if the tax doesn't pass, but he just hopes they will hold true to Kansas City baseball history no matter what happens.“Kansas City has a wonderful baseball history and tradition, and I hope they honor that,” Sarnoff said.Tonight's tax debate was held between 6 and 7 p.m. at the Plaza Library.Early voting on the 3/8th cent sales tax is already underway in Jackson County.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. —
On Tuesday, the Kansas City library hosted a stadium sales-tax debate at the Kansas City Public Library on the Plaza.
It served as a forum for folks to come to hear both sides of the tax that will be on the ballot on April 2.
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Gary Sarnoff is a Major League Baseball historian and author of several books about the sport. He says new ballparks are great, but success is judged by the product on the diamond.
The debate guest speaker says he's neutral on the proposed tax. However, he does believe baseball has an undeniable impact on a community.
“It will start off very good, just like any other new part ballpark has in the past. However, we'll see where it goes from there. One way to keep the fans coming is by winning," Sarnoff said.
He says the plans to move downtown for the Kansas City Royals is about more than just the game.
“They're looking for now a full complex they want not just the baseball entertainment, but to make it a whole day restaurants museums, or other things to do," Sarnoff said.
He believes the goal will be to make people create an entire day out of their experience watching the Royals, creating additional money for the team.
He points down the road to St. Louis as the perfect example.
“You go there, they've got the Hall of Fame Museum. They've got restaurants, sports bars," the historian said.
Sarnoff says he expects the Royals to consider all their options if the tax doesn't pass, but he just hopes they will hold true to Kansas City baseball history no matter what happens.
“Kansas City has a wonderful baseball history and tradition, and I hope they honor that,” Sarnoff said.
Tonight's tax debate was held between 6 and 7 p.m. at the Plaza Library.
Early voting on the 3/8th cent sales tax is already underway in Jackson County.
