Naturals Release Spring Training Slate

SURPRISE, AZ - The Northwest Arkansas Naturals, the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, have announced the team's 2012 Spring Training Schedule, a 13-game slate that begins on March 15th.

Early workouts for Kansas City Royals' minor league players will begin on February 27th, with the first full-squad minor league workout occurring on March 5th. The Naturals will then continue their workouts at the Royals' Surprise facilities and play their first spring game on Thursday, March 15th at their Surprise complex where they'll face off against the Frisco RoughRiders, the Texas Rangers' Double-A affiliate and fellow member of the Texas League.

Pitchers and catchers who are members of the Royals' 40-man roster will report to Major League camp on February 20th, while position players and the non-roster invitees to Major League camp, a group which includes 26 current or former Naturals, will arrive on or prior to February 24th before the first full-squad workout on February 25th. The Royals face the Texas Rangers in their first Spring Training contest on Sunday, March 4th.

In all, the Royals will play 16 games at Surprise Stadium, the team's Spring Training facility in Surprise, AZ, and 32 spring contests overall on its 2012 Spring Training schedule before opening the regular season on Friday, April 6th against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. For the complete schedule, tickets, and more information regarding Royals Spring Training, visit their official website at www.kcroyals.com.

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals are the Double-A Texas League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and play at state of the art Arvest Ballpark, located in Springdale. The 2012 Home Opener is Thursday, April 12th. You can purchase tickets and group outings with the Naturals by calling (479) 927-4900.

Below is the spring training timeline for both the Naturals and their parent club, the Kansas City Royals.

 NWA NATURALS/MINOR LEAGUE SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE

DATE	EVENT
February  27th-March 4th	Early Report for minor league players
March 4th	Full-Squad Report Date
March 5th	First Full-Squad Workout
March 6th-14th	Intrasquads/Full-Squad Workouts
March 15th	at Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)*
March 16th	Home vs. Jackson Generals (Seattle Mariners)
March 17th	Home vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
March 18th	at Chattanooga Lookouts (Los Angeles Dodgers)***
March 19th	Home vs. Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)
March 20th	at Jackson Generals (Seattle Mariners)**
March 21st	at San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)**
March 22nd	Camp Day
March 23rd	Home vs. Jackson Generals (Seattle Mariners)
March 24th	at Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)*
March 25th	Home vs. Chattanooga Lookouts (Los Angeles Dodgers)
March 26th	Home vs. San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres)
March 27th	at Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers)*
March 28th	at Birmingham Barons (Chicago White Sox)***
March 29th	Intrasquads/Full-Squad Workouts
March 31st	Full Squad Workout/Camp Breaks

* Frisco trains at Surprise, AZ,
** San Antonio and Jackson train at Peoria, AZ
***Birmingham and Chattanooga train at Glendale, AZ

Game recaps of spring contests will be posted to nwanaturals.com (when available)

KANSAS CITY ROYALS SPRING TRAINING DATES TO REMEMBER

DATE	EVENT
February 20th	Pitchers and Catchers Report
February 21st	First workout, pitchers and catchers
February 24th	Position Players Report
February 25th	First Full-Squad Workout for Major League Camp
March 4th	Cactus League (MLB) Spring Training Games begin Royals vs. Rangers @ Surprise, AZ
April 1st	Final Royals Spring Training Exhibition game in Arizona
April 6th	Kansas City Royals open the 2012 season (at Los Angeles Angels)

Visit www.kcroyals.com for more information and major league spring training game results.