Kansas City Royals Caravan Comes to Omaha

PAPILLION, NE - The Kansas City Royals Caravan will pay a visit to Omaha on Thursday, January 20, part of a 10-stop tour surrounding the club's Royals FanFest celebration. Nebraska native Alex Gordon, starting pitcher Luke Hochevar, outfielder Mitch Maier and Royals Hall of Famers John Mayberry and Frank White will be on hand for a public event at Omaha's Ultimate Baseball Academy, scheduled from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and hosted by the Omaha Storm Chasers baseball club.

The Royals Caravan, now in its 43rd season, will arrive in Omaha during the afternoon for a private event at Children's Hospital. Young patients at the hospital will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet their heroes one-on-one, while the Royals players on hand will get a chance to give back to the Omaha metro community.

From Children's Hospital, the Caravan will head just down the road to Omaha's Ultimate Baseball Academy, located at 120th and I street just west of I-80. Gordon, Hochevar, Maier, Mayberry and White will take fan questions from approximately 5:30 to 6:15 and participate in a meet-and-greet from approximately 6:15-7:15. Members of the public are encouraged to attend this free event, which will include food and Pepsi products provided by the Storm Chasers.

Omaha's Ultimate Baseball Academy is a 55,000 square foot indoor facility with training tunnels, pitching machines and turf field space for baseball players of all ages. More information can be found at ubanebraska.com.

The Royals and Storm Chasers are one of baseball's longest-standing Major League-Triple-A affiliations, dating back to the franchise's inaugural season in 1969. The Triple-A club is celebrating its move to brand-new Werner Park, a 9,023-capacity facility located in Sarpy County, part of the Omaha metro area. The Storm Chasers signed a new four-year player development contract extension with the Royals at the end of the 2010 season, ensuring a continued relationship well into the future.