Sports

A collection of stories covering the average athletes, niche-sport elites and everyone else who are dedicated to the games you’ve never heard of, could easily be a part of, and just might want to love that make Kansas City truly a one-of-a-kind sports town.

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick speaks to members of the media May 29, 2024, about Major League Baseball’s decision to include Negro Leagues stats in official MLB record books.

For Negro Leagues Museum President, Stat Recognition is Bigger Than Baseball

By Cuyler Dunn | May 29, 2024

The addition of Negro Leagues baseball players’ statistics to MLB’s record books is bigger than baseball. It’s a part of American history.

By the mid-1930s Kansas City area high school football players, like these members of the William Chrisman High School football squad in Independence, competed while wearing helmets and protective padded apparel.

Risks and Rewards of Playing High School Football

By Brian Burnes | September 6, 2023

Kansas City football history is littered with players killed and maimed playing the sport. It was so violent high school football once was banned for 13 years.

Kathy Nelson, Visit KC, KC Sports Commission.

‘Picklecon’ Coming to KC in 2024 With 100 Pickleball Courts

By Channa Steinmetz, Startland News | August 11, 2023

In collaboration with Visit KC, Triple Crown Sports is bringing its inaugural celebration of pickleball to Kansas City in August 2024.

Angler John Jamison holds a 68-pound fish he caught in the Kansas River near downtown.

Whopper Catfish Lurk in the Missouri River Downtown

By Brent Frazee | June 30, 2023

The Missouri River near downtown Kansas City is home to some giant catfish. Just ask the anglers who catch fish weighing more than 100 pounds there.

A pink skateboard with the letters "ZAE" painted on. In Lawrence, Kansas local community and skate leaders compiled their gently used extra parts to give kids who live in low-income housing a chance at skate culture.

Building Up Low-Income Youth in Lawrence with Skateboards

By Vicky Diaz-Camacho | May 26, 2023

Lawrence community leaders and skaters saw a need they could fill and stepped up, offering low-income youth free skateboards.

Fans decked out for the NFL Draft walk through the Crossroads Thursday on their way toward Union Station and the NFL Draft event grounds.

Small Businesses Shocked by Low NFL Draft Sales, Now Wary of World Cup

By Matthew Gwin, Startland News | May 4, 2023

A massive surge in visitors and foot traffic as Kansas City hosted its first NFL Draft failed to generate sales for small businesses outside the event grounds.