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Deadline set for online lottery to purchase tickets for Royals home opener
By BOB DUTTONThe Kansas City Star
Fans seeking to buy tickets to the Royals’ home opener April 8 against the New York Yankees have until noon on Feb. 27 to enter an online lottery program at www.royals.com.
A random drawing Feb. 28 will determine those fans eligible to buy two tickets to the 3:10 p.m. game at Kauffman Stadium. Winners will be notified no later than March 3 by e-mail.
The home opener is typically a sellout. Interest for this year’s game is expected to be particularly keen because the Yankees will be the opponent for the first time since 1984.
“We want as many fans as possible to have the opportunity to purchase opening-day tickets,” said Mark Tilson, the club’s vice president for sales and marketing. “This new program is a fair and equitable component that helps accomplish our goal.”
Fans can ensure themselves of tickets to the home opener by purchasing season-ticket packages for 21, 41 or all 81 home games.
Single-game sales for all other home games begin March 8. Those sales will include any remaining tickets for the home opener.
Training staff set
Nick Swartz will return this season for his 18th year as the Royals’ head athletic trainer. Swartz is entering his 32nd season in the organization and 20th as part of the major-league staff.
The club confirmed Swartz’s return Wednesday in announcing its major- and minor-league training staffs for the upcoming season.
Frank Kyte and Jeff Stevenson will be assistant trainers. Kyte is entering his 20th year with the organization and sixth at the major-league level. Stevenson spent the last nine years as the head trainer at Class AAA Omaha.
The Royals also announced Jeff Blum will be the physical therapist. He spent the last six years as minor-league physical therapist in the Atlanta organization.
Etc.
•Former Royals captain Mike Sweeney worked out Tuesday for the Padres at Petco Park near his home in San Diego. The Padres are also looking at free agent Tony Clark in the quest to sign a veteran first baseman/pinch hitter.
•The Phillies recently staged a workout for former Royals left-hander Odalis Perez in the Dominican Republic. The Philadelphia Daily News quoted assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. as characterizing the club’s interest as “lukewarm.” The Phillies are also tracking free-agent right-hander Kris Benson.
•Infielder Alberto Callaspo is five for 16 through four games for Venezuela in the Caribbean Series after batting .331 with a .394 on-base percentage for Zulia in the Venezuelan Winter League. The Royals acquired Callaspo from Arizona in a Dec. 14 trade for right-hander Billy Buckner.