Tag: #NLBM

Honoring Legacy: The Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat

Honoring Legacy: Jonathan O’Neil Cole Receives the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat at Kauffman Stadium

On June 29, 2025, something unforgettable happened.

Pendulum founder and CEO, Jonathan O’Neil Cole was seated in a place that represents far more than just a view of the field—it’s a symbol of excellence, character, and community impact. During the “Salute to the Negro Leagues” at Kauffman Stadium, with the Kansas City Royals vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers on deck, Jonathan was named the recipient of the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat, one of the most meaningful honors in Pendulum’s history.

And it all started with a phone call.

When Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick rang Jonathan and asked if he’d be in town on June 29, the answer was simple. What followed, however, was anything but expected.

More Than a Game — A Movement

The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum (NLBM) is more than a historical institution. It’s a cultural force—a global symbol of perseverance, innovation, and pride. From the earliest days of Pendulum, we’ve stood behind the NLBM’s mission to tell the story of Black baseball and, in doing so, tell a deeper story about America.

That mission has resonated deeply with us—not only because of our Kansas City roots, but because architecture, like baseball, is about legacy. It’s about building things that matter. And for Jonathan, that alignment has never been more personal.

The Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat: A Living Tribute

The Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat is reserved for individuals who embody the same values that Buck O’Neil carried throughout his life: hope, integrity, courage, and community leadership. It’s not something you apply for. You’re called to it.

And on this night, that call was answered with humble gratitude.

As the stadium lights hit the seats and cheers rose around Kauffman, Jonathan sat not just as an architect, but as a steward of Black excellence in design, a supporter of cultural institutions, and a proud son of Kansas City. This moment wasn’t just recognition—it was a celebration of impact in motion.

A Salute to Legacy and Future

We’re grateful to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, to @nlbmprez Bob Kendrick, and to the @kcroyals for this incredible recognition. It reflects not only Jonathan’s journey, but Pendulum’s ongoing commitment to designing with purpose, building for communities, and honoring the past while shaping the future.

To be chosen for the Buck O’Neil Legacy Seat is to join a story bigger than baseball—and we’re honored to be part of it.

For Immediate Release: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Makes a Pitch for the Future

For Immediate Release: Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Makes a Pitch for the Future

Media Contact:
Michaela Simpson
Pendulum Studio LLC
Michaela.simpson@pendulumkc.com
(816) 335-3030

Kansas City Based Architecture and Design Firm, Pendulum Studio in Partnership with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Just Released an Innovative Design Concept for the Nation’s Only Negro Leagues Campus

Kansas City, MO – May 4, 2023 – As an architect having a meaningful role in 29 ballparks and counting since 1995, Pendulum’s founding principal and CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole has an undeniable expertise in the ballpark building type and a passion for the game of baseball.

When Cole spent time with the great Buck O’Neil in 2005 as documented by our recent story “Hanging with Mr. Buck O’Neil”, it is evident Buck made a major impression on how Cole sees the game. Fast-forward to May 2, 2023 when the who’s who of Kansas City including Congressman Emanuel Cleaver; Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas; Frank White Jr., Jackson County Executive; Kathy Nelson, President & CEO, Kansas City Sports Commission; and John Sherman, Chairman & CEO Kansas City Royals gathered at the NLBM Field of Legends to unveil an innovative new vision for a Negro Leagues Campus designed by Pendulum Studio and announce the award of a $1 million grant from Bank of America by Matt Linski, president, Bank of America Kansas City, the crowd went wild!

The new state of the art facility will be built adjacent to the Buck O’Neil Education and Research Center (BOERC) which will now be housed in the former Paseo YMCA. That historic building is where Andrew “Rube” Foster established the Negro Leagues in 1920. With help from the anchor grant, the new NLBM, in combination with the BOERC, will create a “Negro Leagues Campus” that will become the gateway into Kansas City’s famed Historic 18th & Vine District.

Pendulum CEO Jonathan O’Neil Cole Speaking at the NLBM Press Conference

“I’ve designed quite a few ballparks over the tenure of my career. After founding Pendulum in 2007 there’s not a day that passes without something related to baseball being on my drafting table. The opportunity for my firm to lead the way in not only honoring the history of the game, especially as it relates to the African American experience and the legends of the past, but to also look ahead to the future through innovation, technology, and design is an incredible honor and weighty responsibility – we are very appreciative of Mr. Kendrick and the NLBM Board’s confidence in Pendulum as this project gets underway,” said Cole.

The images below are a very brief glimpse of the collaborative design process that has taken place to date between NLBM stakeholders and Pendulum. There is still plenty of work to be done. As the project progresses there will be much more to see so stay tuned!

For More Information

Please visit the NLBM “Pitch for the Future” landing page for a showcase of the Pendulum virtual reality design and an opportunity to donate to this worthy cause.

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