Legends Field
An In-Depth Exploration of a Multifaceted Venue Shaping Local Athletics.
Venue Details 👇 Explore History 📜Dive in with Flashcard Learning!
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮
Venue Overview
The Ballpark
Legends Field is a dedicated baseball park situated in Kansas City, Kansas, specifically within the Piper neighborhood. It serves as the home ground for the Kansas City Monarchs, a professional baseball team competing in the American Association of Professional Baseball. The venue has also hosted other professional sports, including Major League Soccer (MLS) with the Kansas City Wizards (now Sporting Kansas City) and the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) with the Kansas City Current during their inaugural year. Its strategic location is within the Village West area at 1800 Village West Parkway.
Field Dimensions & Capacity
The ballpark features dimensions tailored for baseball, with specific measurements for each outfield line: Left field stands at 300 feet (91 m), extending to 411 feet (125 m) in left-center. Center field is 396 feet (121 m) deep, right-center is 409 feet (125 m), and right field measures 328 feet (100 m). The outfield walls are generally five feet high, with notable exceptions like the "Little Green Monster" in left field and the bullpen areas. The fixed seating capacity for baseball is 6,537, with standing room increasing the total to at least 7,500. For soccer events, the capacity expands to 10,385.
Construction & Ownership
Groundbreaking for the facility occurred on September 4, 2002, with construction completed in just over nine months. The park officially opened on June 6, 2003. Initially known as CommunityAmerica Ballpark, it has undergone several name changes due to naming rights agreements, including T-Bones Stadium and currently Legends Field. The venue is owned by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, underscoring its role as a public community asset.
Historical Trajectory
Genesis and Early Years
The construction of Legends Field, initially named CommunityAmerica Ballpark, commenced in September 2002 and concluded with its opening on June 6, 2003. It was built by Titan Construction at a cost of $12 million USD. The ballpark was designed by Heinlein Schrock Stearns (now 360 Architecture). Its primary tenant from inception has been the Kansas City Monarchs (and its predecessor, the T-Bones), playing in the Northern League and later the American Association of Professional Baseball.
Multi-Sport Utilization
Beyond baseball, Legends Field has demonstrated significant versatility. It served as the home venue for the Major League Soccer team, the Kansas City Wizards (later Sporting Kansas City), from 2008 to 2010, during which time the field configuration was adapted. Notably, the base paths were covered with dirt sliding pits rather than traditional grass to accommodate soccer matches more efficiently. The stadium also hosted the Kansas City Current of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for their inaugural 2021 season.
Notable Events & Name Changes
The ballpark has witnessed significant attendance figures, with a record baseball attendance of 10,345 in 2007 and a record soccer attendance of 10,385 in 2008. It hosted the 2006 Northern League All-Star Game. A unique event occurred on June 3, 2007, when the stadium was the site of a world record for the most guitarists playing "Smoke on the Water" simultaneously. The venue's naming rights have evolved: it was CommunityAmerica Ballpark (2002-2017), then T-Bones Stadium (interim), followed by JustBats Field at T-Bones Stadium (2019), before ultimately being renamed Legends Field in January 2021, coinciding with the T-Bones rebranding as the Monarchs.
Visual Archive
Stadium Views
While direct image display is not feasible, the visual record of Legends Field includes several key perspectives:
- Left Field Wall: Features the retired number of the esteemed Buck O'Neil, a significant figure in baseball history.
- Scoreboard: A central element for game information and fan engagement.
- Field of Play: Views from various vantage points, including left field stands and right sideline stands, showcase the stadium's layout and atmosphere.
- Soccer Configuration: The stadium has been adapted for soccer, demonstrating its multi-purpose capabilities, as seen in its 2021 configuration.
Legal & Disclaimers
Important Notice
This document has been generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes exclusively. The content is derived from a snapshot of publicly available data and may not represent the most current or complete information available.
This content does not constitute professional advice. The information provided herein is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding sports venue management, historical accuracy, or any related field. Readers are encouraged to consult official sources and qualified professionals for specific inquiries.
The creators of this content assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or actions taken based on the information presented.