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The Kansas Royals have been quite busy this past week as their 2026 roster starts to take shape, from Rule 5 protection decisions<\/a> to free agent depth signings<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n But as fans wait to see what’s next for the Royals, there’s some other headlines that might’ve flown under the radar this week.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Witt Jr.’s award filled offseason continued on Thursday after the Royals franchise cornerstone found himself taking home some familiar hardware.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For the second consecutive season, Witt and his electrifying game saw him named the MLBPAA’s Heart and Hustle Award winner<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By definition, the Heart and Hustle Award honor is determined by player and alumni voting<\/a> and “is presented annually to an active player who demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In an appearance on MLB Network Hot Stove, Witt discussed with Matt Vasgersian and Harold Reynolds what this award means to him.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “It\u2019s truly an honor,” Witt said. “It\u2019s one of my favorite honors to be able to receive just because the players vote on it.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n “I just always want to play the game as hard as I can,” he said. “It was instilled in me by my dad, so I\u2019m just truly honored and blessed.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bobby Witt Jr. is the first player to win the Heart and Hustle Award in back-to-back seasons since Craig Biggio (2006-07)!<\/p>\n The @Royals<\/a> shortstop joined us to discuss the honor, working hard every day and getting the recognition from his peers.@MLBPAA<\/a> | #MLBNHotStove<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ahC3YpLrtI<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 20, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n After the dust settles on the offseason, the Royals and their hopefully upgraded roster will head to Surprise, Arizona for spring training.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Just what that month of gameplay will look like has become clearer too after their official game times at Surprise Stadium were announced<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Kansas City shares Surprise Stadium with the Texas Rangers and will alternate every other day in hosting games.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Game times. Locked in. \u2705The 2026 Spring Training complete schedule is here.<\/p>\n \ud83c\udf9f\ufe0f Tickets on sale Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. (AZ time) online only at https:\/\/t.co\/f7OV9E807i<\/a>. \u2014 Surprise Stadium (@SurpriseStadium) November 19, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n <\/p>\n The Royals’ first home game will take place on Feb. 21 for a Saturday afternoon matchup against the San Diego Padres. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A majority of their home games will take place in the afternoon at 1:05 p.m. MT with the exception of their games on March 13 against the Diamondbacks and March 17 against the Dodgers which both start at 6:05 p.m. and their final home game against the Rockies starts at 12:05 p.m. MT.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Mixed in among their slate of games is a World Baseball Classic tune-up game against Team Cuba<\/a> which will get underway at the usual 1:05 p.m. MT start.<\/p>\n <\/div>\nRoyals News: Bobby Witt Jr. takes home 2025 MLBPAA Heart and Hustle Award<\/h2>\n
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Royals News: KC releases their official home spring training schedule for 2026<\/h2>\n
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\ud83c\udfab Box Office opens Jan. 31 at 8 a.m.
\u2b50Stay tuned – special events and promotions will be announced soon! pic.twitter.com\/VyIqET8mm7<\/a><\/p>\n