Explanation of Pre-game Grades at Kauffman Stadium for 2021
Paul Turner & Mike Mathews
The Ceremonial First Pitch
Only one ceremonial first pitch is graded, even if there are several “first” pitches. We spot every pitcher 5 points and deduct accordingly.
Factored Throw: The quality of the throw is adjusted for age and physical abilities of the pitcher.
Attire: The pitcher should dress professionally and/or wear something associated with the colors and logo of the Kansas City Royals.
Reason: The choice of pitcher should bear good relevance to baseball or to making the world a better place.
Catch: The catcher should catch the ball.
The National Anthem
We spot every performer 10 points and deduct accordingly.
Ornamentation: If the performer(s) ornaments the anthem in a way that draws more attention to the performer(s) than to the anthem, he (she) (they) may lose 1, 2 or 3 points, depending on the degree of ornamentation.
Tempo: If the tempo is too slow, 1 point is deducted.
Pitch: If the performer does not maintain the pitch or has an unattractive sound, 1 point is deducted.
Words: If the performer does not remember all the words correctly, or if the performance is an instrumental with no singing at all, 1 point is deducted.
Perilous: If the singer pronounces the second syllable of this word as a short u instead of a short i, 1 point is deducted.
Rocket’s: If the singer pronounces the second syllable of this word as a short i instead of a short e, 1 point is deducted.
Attire: The performer should dress professionally and/or wear something associated with the colors and logo of the Kansas City Royals to retain 1 point.
The Play Ball Kid
The name of the Play Ball Kid is never recorded to avoid any potential embarrassment to the child.
The Kid is graded Pass/Fail based on the enthusiasm and conviction with which he/she delivers the command, “Play ball!”