Royals’ special entrance at The K for closer Lucas Erceg nearly caused a problem

The Royals don’t have to make an announcement when relief pitcher Lucas Erceg enters a game.

The special lighting at Kauffman Stadium is the cue that Erceg is coming to pitch. The lights that illuminate the playing field are turned off and there are small areas around the ballpark that remain lit.

Here’s what it looks like.

Erceg, who was acquired from the Oakland A’s just hours before the July 30 trade deadline, has appeared in 17 games for the Royals. He has eight saves and 21 strikeouts in 17 1/3 innings pitched.

The special entrance lighting at Kauffman Stadium has been mostly a good thing for Erceg. Mostly.

Initially, he had an issue when stepping from the outfield grass and onto the infield.

“Oh, it’s awesome. It’s awesome,” Erceg said. “I try not to make the situation too big. But I will say the first time that the stadium did that for me — or whoever’s controlling it — I almost fell on my face because I forgot where the ground was.

“But I’ve done it a couple times now. Not to say that I’m getting used to it, but still, really cool.”

Erceg fortunately has found his footing — literally — when emerging from the bullpen in the darkness.

“My wife showed me a couple of videos that she took in person, and you can’t tell the backdrop, where it’s kind of gold and all that stuff, you can’t tell that that’s there at all,” Erceg said. “It’s literally pitch black.”

After nearly falling on his way to the mound that first time, Erceg devised a plan when the lights go out.

“I kind of choose my line, and I try and stay straight,” he said. “And when the lights turn on, I kind of look back up and see where I am. But usually I’m right around where the cut of the grass is.”