Royals trying to learn the quirks of AT&T Park before World Series Game 3

SAN FRANCISCO — The last time the Kansas City Royals played at AT&T Park, it was still called SBC Park and Jeremy Affeldt, the San Francisco Giants relief pitcher, was wearing blue.

It was 2005 and those Royals included Terrence Long in the outfield and Angel Berroa at shortstop. Ned Yost was managing the Milwaukee Brewers and Lorenzo Cain was playing his first year of rookie ball.

These Royals, the ones who will take the field Friday for Game 3 of the World Series, are a very different bunch. Playing at AT&T Park for them is like handing a 13-year-old an Atari joystick.

So the Kansas City bunch — a team that relies very much on its defense, mind you — spent their workout day learning the quirks of the Giants' home park. It's not a typical outfield out there, particularly in right field and right-center, where the wall plays an atypical game of geometry.

"It's definitely tough," said Cain, a top-notch outfielder who plays either center or right field for the Royals. "With the brick, the chain-link fence and the angles out there, it's tough. You just have to be on your toes and be ready for anything. Even the warning track is soft. It's like beach sand."

There's also a tricky triples' alley. And if the wind kicks up, like we saw once in the NLCS, things can get even trickier.

"It's not Candlestick," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday, although his team is well accustomed to AT&T's challenges.

Yost's bunch on the other hand, will continue feeling things out, even in to Friday's batting practice.

"They were just standing there watching balls in BP, seeing which way they bounce off those walls," Yost said. "So after our workout, after our batting practice tomorrow, our guys are going to have a really, really good idea on what's going to happen every time a ball hits that wall."

The quirky dimensions could impact the Royals' lineup too. Yost wasn't ready to commit to anything just yet, but he said the nature of AT&T Park could mean Jarrod Dyson starts instead of Nori Aoki, whose been known to play some adventurous right field. In such a scenario, Dyson would likely play center (like we usually see late in games) while Cain would shift over to right. Dyson's a better fielder, but Aoki's has a better bat. Aoki on the bench would give Yost another pinch-hitting option.

That's helpful because the Royals will also be playing a different style of ball in the NL park — no designated hitter, more double switches and more pinch hitters.

"I managed in the National League for six years, so I'm comfortable doing it," Yost said, also crediting hitting coach Dale Sveum, who managed the Cubs in 2012 and 2013. "Dale's managed in the National League, he's comfortable. As a group, we're not afraid of the National League game. We understand the National League game."

The Royals, in fact, were quite good this season in interleague play, going 15-5 overall and 8-2 in NL parks.

"Our versatility, our athleticism, our speed definitely helps," Yost said, "and our bullpen."

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Mike Oz is an editor for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @MikeOz