This is how Kansas City reacts to malfunctioning fireworks

• Pretty bad game and the fizzle fireworks just reminded me why I don't go the Royals games often. The team made basic fundamental errors and looked bad. Funny how everyone else in the city and other cities were able to have their fireworks displays.
  
  
• It was a disappointment for sure. I think everyone can understand that these things do happen, but it is the first time in my life I can remember not seeing fireworks on the forth of July.
  
  
• Did you expect anything less...Kansas City Sports are just like those marketers that promise you a free weeks vacation in Florida all accomodations paid for...what they forget to tell you is your staying in a dump hotel and your food is bread and water, just like our sports orginization...Complacency sucks.

These are just some of the reader comments to this KC Star article (apparently the fireworks failed to go off properly after the July 4 game). The Royals, being a classy organization, are giving everyone in attendance a free ticket to a game of their choice, yet the people are still outraged.

Here's my favorite reaction, from "Kathy":

I attended the game last night (July 4th) with my family (Ticket cost $167 - plus an approximate $100 on food). I am absolutely appauled that not only did the Royals obviously hire some inept company to handle their fireworks show (what professional fireworks company doens't know to keep their equipment dry?) but that they would think that an appropriate action to such a problem would be that we could come to another game. They don't actually believe that all of those fans were there JUST to watch the Royals? My 3 year old grandson couldn't have cared less about the game...he sat through 2 1/2 hours to watch the fireworks. He will never be 3 again..it's over...he missed it, because of their organization. Come on....they take in millions in revenue...how about giving something back? Like another fireworks show for all the ticket holders? No game...just the show. Their dwindling crowds are a result of actions like last night. They are losing the publics trust. I love baseball and events like last night. But if they can't handle a problem like the one they had last night in a better fashion...then I'll spend my money elsewhere.

Let's review this line by line.

Ticket cost $167 - plus an approximate $100 on food.

Did you buy 20 hot dogs?

...but that they would think that an appropriate action to such a problem would be that we could come to another game.

Actually, they offered everyone a free Volkswagon in Lot G. Or did you miss that announcement?

They don't actually believe that all of those fans were there JUST to watch the Royals?

I'm sure some were there to watch the Mariners, and others for the clouds for three hours, and others for the stadium beer, and others... WHAT ELSE COULD YOU POSSIBLY DO AT A BASEBALL GAME EXCEPT WATCH BASEBALL, AND AS THE ROYALS ARE THE HOME TEAM, TO WATCH THE ROYALS?

Now, I realize she might mean there were a handful of folks who went to the game just to see the fireworks, as this was the Fourth of July. In which case, that's just stupid. Here's a short list of fireworks shows in Kansas City that night, none of which required anyone to sit through a baseball game:

1. Shawnee Mission Park, 7710 Renner Rd., 9:45 p.m.
2. English Landing Park, Parkville, Mo., 9:30 p.m.
3. Corporate Woods, I-435 and College Blvd. at 109th and Mastin, 9:30 p.m.
4. Mormon Visitor Center, 937 W. Walnut, Independence, Mo., 9:30 p.m.
5. Worlds of Fun, 10 p.m.

My 3 year old grandson couldn't have cared less about the game...he sat through 2 1/2 hours to watch the fireworks.

Take him to an AFL game next time if he cares so little about baseball. The Brigade's Charles Frederick, WR, was recently named co-Rookie of the Year. (Couldn't the Chiefs use a wide receiver?)

He will never be 3 again..it's over...he missed it, because of their organization.

You're right. You got me there. Now the shame is setting in. He won't be three again. His life's over. Done. What's the point, cruel world? Let's pack it up. I hope you're proud of what you've done, Kansas City Royals. Best years of his life... OVER. Poof. Way to rob him of his youth and innocence. Bastards.

Come on....they take in millions in revenue...how about giving something back?

Like a free ticket?

Like another fireworks show for all the ticket holders?

Oh. Well that's easy, why didn't you say so? Just come back any Friday... there's that promotion, Fireworks Fri...

No game...just the show.

Uh...

Their dwindling crowds are a result of actions like last night.

Or because of this.

They are losing the publics trust.

But Dayton Moore's bringing it back!

I love baseball and events like last night.

Do you really? Do you really love baseball? Because you were served a pretty good game: played at a relatively fast pace, rallies for the home team, a couple of nice defensive plays...

But if they can't handle a problem like the one they had last night in a better fashion...then I'll spend my money elsewhere.

Maybe at the Fireworks Superstore? Hey look! An online order form! Now quit mouthing off on the Internet and giving everyone in KC a bad name. I shudder to imagine your reaction to Kansas's science curriculum...

POSTSCRIPT: I'm afraid I've deliberately misrepresented Kansas City. To the credit of Royals fans everywhere, most of the comments on that KC Star article were something to the effect of, "Kathy, get a life," and "F--- you, St. Louis." I can get behind that.

UPDATE: Megan Stock, on the Royals' generosity.