The Royals will appear on television seven times during Spring Training, with telecasts on both FOX Sports Kansas City and MLB Network. 

FOX Sports Kansas City, the exclusive local television home of Royals baseball, will air the March 30 game vs. the Chicago White Sox and the April 3 contest from PETCO Park in San Diego against the Padres.  The spring telecasts kick off a schedule that features 142 Royals games on FOX Sports Kansas City, including the Opening Night contest on April 6 at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  A complete list of FOX Sports Kansas City telecasts for the 2012 season is available at royals.com.

All MLB Network games will be carriage of local telecasts, including local announcers.  The Royals April 3 contest in San Diego, in addition the being telecast on FOX Sports Kansas City, will also be carried on MLB Network, but will be blacked out in the Kansas City market.

The Spring Training telecasts are as follows (all times Central):

Wednesday, March 14    9:00 p.m.              Royals at Seattle Mariners (MLB Network, Live)

Thursday, March 15        1:00 a.m.               Royals at Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB Network, tape-delayed)

Thursday, March 22        3:00 p.m.              Royals (ss) at Los Angeles Angels (MLB Network, Live)

Wednesday, March 28    1:00 a.m.               Texas Rangers at Royals (MLB Network, tape-delayed)

Thursday, March 29        3:00 p.m.              Royals at Los Angeles Angels (MLB Network, Live)

Friday, March 30               8:00 p.m.              Chicago White Sox at Royals (FOX Sports Kansas City, Live)

Tuesday, April 3               9:00 p.m.              Royals at San Diego Padres (FOX Sports Kansas City, Live)

11:00 p.m.            MLB Network, tape-delayed (blacked out in Kansas City market)

One year ago, Eric Hosmer entered his first Major League Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.  Hosmer started the season at Triple-A Omaha, where his domination of the league’s pitchers to the tune of a .439 average earned him a quick promotion to Kansas City.  He made his Major League debut on May 6, drawing a pair of walks while recording his first stolen base in front of 30,690 fans (including a 10K walk-up) at Kauffman Stadium.  Eric posted his first hit the next night, along with an intentional walk that set up the winning run.  He went on to finish third in the A.L. Rookie of the Year voting while quickly becoming a fan favorite.

On Tuesday, ATH contributor Dina Blevins asked Eric a few quick questions about his teammates, his college basketball pick and more…let’s take a look!

ATH:  The first question is…which Royals player would do best on the following television shows?

1.  Jeopardy!

Hosmer:  Mitch Maier

2.  Amazing Race (name either one teammate or a pair that would make a good team on the show)

Hosmer:  Chris Getz and Luke Hochevar

 3. 

American Idol 
 

Hosmer:  Myself!

 4.  The Apprentice

Hosmer:  Nate Adcock 

This is an overview of the Truman Sports Complex on Opening Day, 2009…look at all of the cars! Eric knows what this is like as he parked cars for Dolphins games in Miami.

ATH:  Other than baseball, most memorable job/occupation you’ve had? 

Hosmer:  Parking cars at the Miami Dolphins games with my baseball team

ATH:  Favorite player when you were growing up:

Hosmer:  Ken Griffey, Jr.

ATH:  Besides Kauffman Stadium, what’s your favorite Major League stadium?

Hosmer:  Yankee Stadium (Eric hit his first Major League home run on May 11, 2011 at Yankee Stadium)

ATH:  If you could join a band/musical group (past or present), what group would you join and what would your role be (sing, guitar, drums, etc.)?

Hosmer:  Backup dancer for the Backstreet Boys

Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin threw out the first pitch at Kauffman Stadium in 2010.

ATH:  The NCAA Tournament is coming up…do you have a team that you follow?

Hosmer:  K-State (Eric is good friends with coach Frank Martin, a fellow native of the Miami area.  This interview took place before last night’s big win by the Wildcats.)

Thanks to Eric for answering our questions!  Follow him on Twitter @Hos3KC.

The Kansas City Royals have announced that the club has agreed to terms on 2012 Major League contracts with right-handed pitchers Louis Coleman and Greg Holland.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

The Royals now have five unsigned players on the 40-man roster with zero to three years of service time: right-handed pitcher Vin Mazzaro; left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy; catcher Salvador Perez; and infielders Alcides Escobar and Johnny Giavotella.

Pitchers and catchers officially reported to Surprise, Ariz., on Monday with the first workout taking place yesterday afternoon.  The remainder of the squad will officially report on Friday and begin workouts for the 2012 campaign on Saturday afternoon.  The Spring Training opener is on Sunday, March 4 against the Texas Rangers at 2:05 p.m. CT.

The Kansas City Royals Alumni Association is helping make the Kansas City area a better place to live through local charity and community programs by donating a total of $30,000.  Donations range from $500 to $2,500.

The following 26 programs received donations from the Alumni Association: Antioch Church/The StoreHouse/Angel House, Catholic Charities, Coldwater, Cross Points Church/Alms Fund, Grace Church-Fund for Needy Families, House of Hope, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, Kansas City Rescue Mission, Kansas City Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI), Kimberlie Jo Patek Foundation for Spinal Cord Injuries, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, Lou Gehrig’s Disease-Keith Worthington Chapter ALS, Medical Missions Foundation, Morning Star Baptist Church and Salvation Army, Operation Breakthrough, Paul Splittorff Golf Tournament, Project Walk Kansas City, Rachel House, Salvation Army, St. Anne’s Episcopal Church-Hillcrest Housing, Wounded Warriors and the YMCA Challenger Program.

Throughout the year, Royals Alumni donate their time to help raise money for the foundation to help area families in need.  The two largest fundraising events are the Royals Alumni Batting Practices at Kauffman Stadium and the Royals Alumni Fantasy Camp located in Surprise, Ariz.

The Royals have announced that the club has agreed to terms on 2012 Major League contracts with right-handed pitcher Luis Mendoza, infielders Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contracts were not disclosed.

The Royals now have seven unsigned players on the 40-man roster with zero to three years of service time: right-handed pitchers Louis Coleman, Greg Holland and Vin Mazzaro; left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy; catcher Salvador Perez; and infielders Alcides Escobar and Johnny Giavotella.

Pitchers and catchers will report to Surprise, Ariz., on Monday, with workouts for pitchers starting the following afternoon, Tuesday, February 21.  The remainder of the squad will report next Friday, February 24 and begin workouts for the 2012 campaign on Saturday afternoon, February 25.

The Royals have announced that the club has agreed to terms on a 2012 Major League contract with left-handed pitcher Tim Collins.  Consistent with club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The 22-year-old Collins made 68 appearances for the Royals in 2011, his rookie campaign.  The lefty was 4-4 with a 3.63 ERA, striking out 60 and walking 48 in 67.0 innings.  Collins was acquired by the Royals from the Atlanta Braves on July 31, 2010.

The Royals now have 11 unsigned players on the 40-man roster with zero to three years of service time: right-handed pitchers Louis Coleman, Greg Holland, Vin Mazzaro and Luis Mendoza; left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy; catcher Salvador Perez; infielders Alcides Escobar, Johnny Giavotella, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas; and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

Pitchers and catchers will report to Surprise, Ariz., on Monday, February 20.  Workouts for pitchers begin the following afternoon, Tuesday, February 21.  The remainder of the squad will report on Friday, February 24 and begin workouts for the 2012 campaign on Saturday afternoon, February 25.

The Royals and Entercom-Kansas City today announced the first 15 broadcasts of the 2012 Royals Spring Training Radio schedule that will air on 610 Sports Radio (KCSP-AM).  All Spring Training contests will be webcast on royals.com, including the games not on 610 Sports Radio.  The Royals and 610 Sports Radio will add five more broadcasts once the NCAA Tournament schedule is released due to 610’s commitment to University of Kansas basketball as well.

For the 44th year, Royals Hall of Famer Denny Matthews will call Spring Training play-by-play action.  He’ll be joined by Ryan Lefebvre, newcomer Steve Physioc and Steve Stewart.  The spring schedule for Bob Davis will be determined by University of Kansas basketball.  Stewart will anchor the exhibition webcasts.

The 2012 spring radio broadcast schedule is as follows:

Sunday, March 4
 @ Texas
 1:05 p.m.
 
Monday, March 5
 vs. Texas
 2:05 p.m. 
 
Tuesday, March 6
 vs. San Diego (SS)
 2:05 p.m.
 
Sunday, March 11
 @ Oakland
 3:05 p.m.
 
Monday, March 12
 vs. San Francisco
 3:05 p.m. 
 
Tuesday, March 20
 vs. Los Angeles Angels
 3:05 p.m.
 
Wednesday, March 21
 vs. Oakland
 3:05 p.m.
 
Monday, March 26
 @ San Francisco
 3:05 p.m.
 
Tuesday, March 27
 @ Milwaukee
 3:05 p.m.
 
Wednesday, March 28
 vs. Texas
 8:05 p.m.
 
Thursday, March 29
 @ Los Angeles Angels
 3:05 p.m.
 
Friday, March 30
 vs. Chicago White Sox
 8:05 p.m.
 
Sunday, April 1
 @ Seattle
 3:05 p.m.
 
Tuesday, April 3
 @ San Diego (PETCO Park)
 9:05 p.m.
 
Wednesday, April 4
 @ San Diego (Lake Elsinore)
 4:05 p.m.
                                  *All Times Central – Game Times Subject to Change

2012 marks the 10th season for the Royals in sunny and warm Surprise, Arizona.  It’s not too late to plan your trip to the Valley of the Sun so you can be one of the first to see the 2012 Royals in action!  Here are a few tips from Around the Horn to get you started:

Travel information: 

Southwest Airlines and US Airways offer several non-stop flights daily to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Surprise is approximately a 40-minute drive from the airport via I-10 and Arizona 101 or I-10 and AZ-303.
Hotel options (partial listing):  Holiday Inn Express and Residence Inn are within walking distance of Surprise Stadium.  If you’re interested in a resort stay, the Wigwam Golf Resort & Spa (wigwamresort.com) is located in Litchfield Park, just 15 minutes from Surprise Stadium.
 
Insider tips:

• Surprise Stadium hosts a game every day from March 4 to April 1 in 2012 as the Royals share the complex with the Texas Rangers.  Click here to review seating options and buy your tickets for the Royals. 
• In addition to the Major League games, you can catch minor league games and practice sessions on the back fields of the complex.  These events are free to the public and start at approximately 10 in the morning.
• Study the Cactus League schedule (http://www.cactusleague.com/files/2012-schedule.pdf).  The Royals play five night games in Arizona (March 14, 17 and 24 are road games, March 28 and 30 are in Surprise).  You can double-dip and catch the Royals in the afternoon and another game at night, or vice versa.
• For a casual meal, some of our favorites include: In-N-Out Burger (closest stores are in Peoria or Avondale), Paradise Café and several local pizza places, including NYPD.
• Sports junkie?: The NBA’s Suns play in downtown Phoenix, a 40-minute drive, and the NHL’s Coyotes are in Glendale, a 15-minute trek.  The Suns’ schedule is home-heavy from February 19 to March 18, with 12 home games during that stretch.
• College hoops in 2012:  The Suns will go on a road trip in late March – but there will still be plenty of hoops action.  U.S. Airways Center in downtown Phoenix will host the NCAA Men’s West Regional on March 22 and 24.  The 2009 West Regional was also held in the Phoenix area, which featured the Missouri Tigers.
• Take a hike: White Tank Mountain Regional Park is a short 15-minute drive to the southwest and features several hiking trails with amazing views for both novice and advanced hikers.
• Pack your clubs:  Get a head start on the 2012 golf season as the Phoenix area boasts over 3,600 holes! Review a list of courses at  http://www.pga.com/golf-courses/details/az
   
  Thanks for checking out our preview!  We’re looking forward to the sounds of training flights from Luke Air Force Base, the great Arizona sunsets, and of course, Royals baseball!  If you’ve been to Surprise, feel free to add your suggestions in a comment!

The Royals announced this morning that the club has exercised the 2013 option year with manager Ned Yost.  

Yost and General Manager Dayton Moore spoke with the media on conference calls.  Both men talked about getting the contract finished so it would not be a distraction during Spring Training.  Moore first approached Yost about the option after the 2011 season concluded.  He sees a manager who shares the vision of the organization, is competitive, professional and has been through a similar youth movement in Milwaukee.  Moore sees the respect that the players have for their manager and a clubhouse atmosphere that is conducive to winning.

Yost said that he enjoys all aspects of his job – including the city, talented players, the front office and the support of ownership.  He wants the focus to be on a young, improving club and not on him.  He is already immersed in that process for 2012 – having arrived in Arizona this week for KC’s early pitching program.  The camp is more informal than Spring Training – it’s a chance for the players and staff to get to know one another.  In addition to the pitchers, most of the position players are already in Surprise.  Yost likes what he sees – noting that Mike Moustakas and Billy Butler are in tip-top shape and that the team is ready to get started.

Spring Training is just around the corner – and it’s time to stock up on Royals gear for the fans in your family!  Starting today, February 13, the team store at Kauffman Stadium is open from noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.  Due to tollbooth construction, please enter the Truman Sports Complex at Gate 1 (near I-70) or at the Bus Exit off of Stadium Drive (near I-435).