Seating Capacity Right-Sized to 8,859

OMAHA, NE - While the debate still swirls over where the Omaha Royals will be playing some day, the city's professional baseball team will continue to take steps in 2008 to give Rosenblatt Stadium a more intimate atmosphere. In fact, seat covers - first installed for the 2007 season - will cover even more seats for most games during the upcoming Pacific Coast League season.

Seat covers will again cover all of the outfield bleacher seats, as well as the seats on the first base and third base wings of the grandstand. And, like last year, the upper rows of Sections F-M in the middle of the grandstand will be roped off. Additionally, in 2008, Box P and Section P at the far end of the third base side of the grandstand will also be covered.

The reconfigured Rosenblatt Stadium's seating capacity for a large majority of the Royals 72 home games in 2008 will be 8,859, after maxing out last season at 9,441. The stadium seating will be expanded to its full 24,000 seat capacity for the July 4th Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular, presented by the Omaha World-Herald, the City of Omaha and the Omaha Royals.

The ballpark's capacity will occasionally be adjusted to four other sizes - ranging from 9,627 to 17,700 - depending on the Royals ticket pre-sale numbers 72 hours before game times. This will allow the Royals to expand for events like Werner Enterprises country concert following the Royals game on Friday, July 18 and other large events.

"In our continuing effort to provide Omaha the best possible Minor League Baseball product we have right-sized Rosenblatt for the 2008 season," said Royals General Manager Martie Cordaro. Royals President Alan Stein added: "We look forward to enjoying sold-out crowds of 8,859 or more fans in 2008."

Once again this season, companies will have advertisements prominently displayed on the seat covers in the left field bleachers. The seat covers in right field will again feature promotional and historical information about the Triple-A club, which will be celebrating its 40th anniversary as the top-level minor league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals in 2008.

The Royals 2008 season opener is set for Rosenblatt Stadium on Thursday, April 3rd at 7:05 p.m. vs. the Albuquerque Isotopes. 2008 season tickets, mini-plans and other ticket packages are currently on sale, with single-game tickets to go on sale at a later date to be announced. For tickets or more information, contact the Royals ticket office at (402) 738-5100.