2014 NLDS Busch Stadium games information

As I type, the Cards are playing in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Dodgers.  I love October – the cool, crisp weather, the beautiful leaves, and especially the postseason.  I, like many others. didn’t think the Cards would get to the postseason this year, but we were pleasantly surprised, weren’t we?  :)  Since the Cards didn’t get home field advantage, games 3 and 4 will be played at Busch Stadium.  Here is all the information you’ll need if you have tickets to either one of these games (wish I did!):

ST. LOUIS, MO (October 3, 2014) – For the second year in a row, the Cardinals clinched a Central Division championship and punched a ticket back to the National League Division Series. The Cardinals are facing the rival Los Angeles Dodgers who have home-field advantage for the best-of-five series. The Cardinals are making their fourth consecutive postseason appearance and the 27th postseason appearance in franchise history (#PostCards). A limited number of tickets remain for the Division Series games at Busch Stadium at cardinals.com/postseason. Here are details on how fans can enjoy postseason baseball in St. Louis.

 GAME SCHEDULE & HIGHLIGHTS

NLDS Game 1 – Friday, October 3, 2014 – Dodger Stadium – 5:37 p.m. CT (FS1)

NLDS Game 2 – Saturday, October 4, 2014 – Dodger Stadium – 8:37 p.m. CT (MLBN)

NLDS Game 3 – Monday, October 6, 2014 – Busch Stadium – 8:37 p.m. CT [OR 8:07 p.m. CT if LAA/KC is over] (FS1)

• 4 p.m. Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Parking Lot and Busch II Infield
  • Music by DJ Todd Thomas, entertainment, prizes, Fredbird, Team Fredbird and more
  • Former Cardinal will make an appearance
• Gates will open 2 hours prior to first pitch
• 40,000 fans receive a Cardinals Rally Towel, courtesy of Edward Jones
• Pre-Game Ceremony starts at approximately 30 minutes prior to first pitch
  • National Anthem by Four-Digit Chord, an a Capella vocal group of Civilian, Active Duty, and Retired Military volunteers employed at Department of Defense agencies in the St. Louis Metro-East area
  • Colors presented by the Joint Services Color Guard, a distinguished group of the finest military service-member volunteers attached to the US Transportation Command, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois.
  • A volunteer group of active duty and retired Coast Guard, Navy, Army, Marine and Air Force service-members assigned to federal agencies in Illinois and the St. Louis Metropolitan area will hold a large flag during the anthem
  • Cardinals broadcaster Tim McCarver will throw the ceremonial first pitch

NLDS Game 4 – Tuesday, October 7, 2014 – Busch Stadium – 4:07 p.m. CT [OR 7:37 p.m. CT if WSH/SF is over]  (FS1) *(If necessary)

• 1 p.m. (or 4:30 p.m.) Pre-Game Pep Rally in Ballpark Village Parking Lot and Busch II Infield
  • Music by DJ Todd Thomas, entertainment, prizes, Fredbird, Team Fredbird and more
  • A former Cardinal player will make an appearance
• Gates will open 2 hours prior to first pitch
• 40,000 fans receive a Cardinals rally towel, courtesy of Mercy
• National Anthem by Tess Boyer, St. Louis area native and season 6 finalist on The Voice
• Colors presented by The United States Marines with Recruiting Station St. Louis.
• Former Cardinals Third Baseman Scott Rolen will throw the ceremonial first pitch

NLDS Game 5 – Thursday, October 9, 2014 – Dodger Stadium – 8:07 p.m. CT [OR 7:37 p.m. CT if WSH/SF is over]    (FS1) *(If necessary)

Watching On TV

Fans can watch the Cardinals’ National League Division Series games on FOX Sports 1 or MLB Network. Saturday’s game will be televised exclusively on MLB Network (MLBN). For channel information, view the chart below, or find full directory listings at FOXSports1.com andFindMLBNetwork.com.

Radio Coverage

Fans can tune into KMOX (1120 AM) and the Cardinals Radio Network to hear Mike Shannon & John Rooney call the games. The national broadcast of most NLDS games can also be heard on ESPN Radio (101.1 FM) or SiriusXM Radio.

Social Media

Fans participating in the postseason action on social media can follow the Cardinals at Facebook.com/Cardinals, on Twitter (@Cardinals), on Instagram (@Cardinals) and Tumblr (stlcardinals.tumblr.com). Join the social conversation using #PostCards.

Online Or On The Go

Fans can follow every Cardinals Postseason game for free on cardinals.com on their computers and laptops using MLB.com Gameday. TheMLB.com At Bat mobile application is the most popular way to follow live Cardinals games on-the-go. At Bat offers fans live radio broadcasts, replay reviews, scoreboards, statistics, video highlights, series schedules, breaking news, expert analysis and more.  Cardinals fans can download MLB.com At Bat on their favorite smartphones or tablets by visiting the app store or MLB.com.

Driving To The Games

MoDOT has limited roadwork when the Cardinals are at home during the National League Division Playoffs. Currently, fans can expect no significant traffic impacts due to construction on Missouri interstates heading into Busch Stadium or heading home on Monday, October 6^th and Tuesday, October 7^th.

Alternative Transportation

MetroLink is a convenient alternative to driving, allowing fans to avoid the cost of parking and game day traffic.  To avoid the traffic congestion and the cost of parking on game day, fans can use one of 19 free Park-Ride lots along the MetroLink line and take the train to Stadium Station, right across the street from the ballpark.  Check the Metro website www.MetroSt.Louis.org for schedules and the Park-Ride lot nearest you.  There are also plenty of buses in Missouri and Illinois that will get fans to Busch Stadium including the RedBird Express that departs from the Water Tower at St. Clair Square in Fairview Heights, Illinois.  The first RedBird Express leaves 2 ½ hours before the game and runs approximately every 5 minutes.

Postseason Merchandise

• Busch Stadium Team Store: The Team Store will be open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.  In addition to standard merchandise, the store will also carry exclusive postseason and Central Division Champions merchandise including hats, t-shirts, pennants, pins and more. A variety of items are also available in ladies and youth sizes. Fans can also buy official t-shirts and hoodies, just like the players wear. (#BuschStadiumTeamStore)
•  Cardinals Authentics: Fans will want to stop by both Cardinals Authentics stores as it’s the only place to get official, game-used, limited edition and autographed Cardinals memorabilia directly from the team. Featured items include game-used baseballs, bases, and bats from the 2014 season, 2011 World Championship themed items, jerseys and hats directly from the clubhouse and one-of-a-kind autographed memorabilia. Cardinals Authentics has a variety of items to fit every budget. It is where every piece tells a story. The Cardinals Authentics Store located in Ford Plaza inside Busch Stadium is open 2 hours before game time and a half hour after the game ends. The new Cardinals Authentics Shop located in Cardinals Nation at Ballpark Village is open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (or an hour after the game ends) every day of the week. (#CardsAuthentics)
• Cardinals Magazine and Cardinals Yearbook:  Celebrate the Cardinals’ return to the postseason by purchasing two NEW keepsake items at Busch Stadium. The cover story in the new edition of Cardinals Magazine focuses on Jon Jay, a driving force behind the Redbirds successful pursuit of a second consecutive N.L. Central title. Other issue highlights include a 40th anniversary celebration of Lou Brock’s record-setting 118-steal season in 1974, behind-the-scenes looks at Jon Hamm’s visit to Busch Stadium and the 2014 Cardinals Hall of Fame ceremony, a Q&A with 2013 postseason hero Michael Wacha, and the latest installment of Adam Wainwright’s journal. And the popular 2014 Official Yearbook offers the definitive tribute to the Cardinal Legacies of Hall of Famers Tony La Russa and Joe Torre and action photos and studio portraits of the 2014 Cardinals.

The magazine is $5; the yearbook is $15. Both publications are on sale at all gates, the official Busch Stadium Team Store, Cardinals Authentics inside Ballpark Village, and can also be purchased by calling 314.345.9000 or visiting cardinals.com/publications. (#CardsMag |  #CardsYearbook)

Cardinals Nation Restaurant & Bar

Cardinals Nation, the team’s new two-story restaurant in Ballpark Village, is rolling out a variety of new menu items and specials for the 2014 postseason.

• Stuffed Pretzel Sticks
• Spinach & Artichoke Dip
• Chicken Bruschetta
• Octoberfest Burger: Pretzel bun, fried pickles and beer mustard
• Pie Shakes: Pumpkin, Peach or Apple Pie blended into a Vanilla Closer Shake
• 20oz Souvenir Cardinals Nation Postseason 2014 cup: Keep your cup with every beer or upgraded soda purchase
• New Drinks: The Red October, The 1982, Spiked Apple Cider, Fig infused Side Car, and more

Stick around after each home game for free live music on the 2^nd floor of the Cardinals Nation Restaurant. Johnny Chase will play on Monday, followed by Boogie Chyld on Tuesday.

Support Cardinals Care

Throughout the postseason, fans will have multiple opportunities to support Cardinals Care, the charitable arm of the team and organization.

• Cardinals Care 50/50 Raffle: Fans, ages 18 and older, may play the Cardinals Care 50/50 Raffle by going to any of the six ticket kiosk locations throughout the stadium from the time gates open until the middle of the 7^th inning. One lucky fan will receive 50 percent of the gross proceeds from the game’s raffle ticket donations, and the other half will benefit Cardinals Care, the team’s charitable foundation that helps children. For more info and kiosk locations, visit cardinals.com/5050. (#Raffle4Kids)
• Cardinals Care Stadium Auction: Fans have the unique opportunity to bid on exclusive autographed Cardinals memorabilia at every postseason home game. The auction is a great way for fans and collectors alike to obtain specialty Cardinals items while helping support the programs that Cardinals Care provides to youth in the community. The auction tables will be located at Gate 3, Gate 1, Cardinals Club, UMB Champions Club, and in the Redbird Club.

BUSCH STADIUM – POLICY REMINDER

Bag Inspections And Guest Screening Policy

Standard game-day bag inspection policies for Busch Stadium are in effect. Bags will be allowed that meet Major League Baseball’s standard size restriction (16”x16”x8”), and all bags will be inspected prior to entry.

In compliance with new Major League Baseball security procedures, Busch Stadium is phasing in the use of walk-through metal detectors at some of the entry gates this postseason. Guests will need to remove all keys, cell phones, cameras, sunglass cases and other large metal objects from their person prior to passing through the metal detectors.

Guests will be permitted to bring small personal cameras as long as they do not obstruct other guest’s view and will be subject to inspection.  No professional-sized photography equipment will be allowed except for members of the media with proper MLB Postseason credentials.

Non-alcoholic beverages such as water & soda in open cups or in clear plastic bottles no larger than 2 liters are allowed.

Alcohol, bottles, cans, thermoses, hard-sided coolers; hard plastic cups/mugs are not permitted.

Small banners and signs are allowed. Banners may be displayed as long as they do not hinder or interfere with a ball in play or distract or interfere with the view of another guest. Banners may not be displayed in fair territory, be obscene or in poor taste, attract abuse or cause a disturbance among other guests. They should be baseball-oriented and not commercial in nature.

Please minimize items you bring into the stadium to speed up the inspection process. 

Expect long lines upon entry and allow yourself plenty of time to go through the inspection process. 

Exit/Re-entry Policy

A new exit/re-entry policy will be in effect for the 2014 postseason. Exit/re-entry will only be allowed starting at game time and extending through the end of the 7^th inning. Guests wishing to leave the stadium, but planning to return during the same game must have their hand and ticket stamped at Gate 4 only as they exit the stadium. Guests will also receive a re-entry card which they must show with their stamped ticket and stamped hand upon re-entry. Inspection and Guest Screening policy will also be enforced.

No Smoking Policy

Standard Busch Stadium Smoking Policy is in effect.  Busch Stadium is a smoke-free facility. Exit/re-Entry turnstiles will be set up at Gate 4 to allow fans access in and out of the stadium if they wish to smoke. Guests must have their hand and ticket stamped at Gate 4 as they exit the stadium. Guests will also receive a re-entry card which they must show with their stamped ticket and stamped hand upon re-entry. Inspection and Guest Screening policy will also be enforced.

Clark Street Access

Access to Clark Street between the Stadium and Ballpark Village will be restricted to ticket holders only from 4 hours prior to game time until the end of the game.  All guests entering the Stadium through Gates 4 and 5 will need to show their ticket at the Clark Street Access Locations.  Any non-ticketed guests who wish to get to the Ballpark Village and the Busch II Infield will need to do so from the north entrances.

2014 SEASON HIGHLIGHTS

• The Cardinals completed their 123^rd season of play in the National League with an 90-72 mark, winning the N.L. Central for the 10^th time and for the 2^nd consecutive season, as they qualified for the postseason for a 4^th consecutive season – the 1^st time in franchise history to have done so.
• The Cardinals won 51 home games, tying Washington & Pittsburgh for the top mark in the N.L. The Cardinals have won an N.L.-best 436 home games since moving into Busch Stadium III in 2006.
• The Cardinals put together the 74^th winning season (+.500) in franchise history. The Cardinals have now compiled seven consecutive winning seasons, doing so for the 3^rd time in franchise history.
• The Cardinals were never swept in a series of three or more games, their 1^st season since 2005 to have done so.
• The Cardinals posted a Major League-leading 23 shutout victories, their most since posting a club record 30 in 1968. It was also the first since time 1968 (31%) that 25% or more of their victories came via shutouts.
• The Cardinals were 32-23 in games decided by just one run in 2014. Those 32 wins in one-run games were their most since 1992 (34-31) and their 55 one-run games were their most since 1998 (58; 28-30).
• The Cardinals won a franchise-best five games this season when collecting 4 hits or less and their 11 wins with 5 hits or fewer was also a club record.
• Cardinals starting pitchers had a Major League co-leading 22 starts (also Washington) in which they worked 7 or more scoreless innings, their most since doing so in a club record 29 games in 1968.
• Mike Matheny is the first manager in St. Louis Cardinals history to take his team to the postseason in each of his first three full seasons. He’s only the 5th manager all-time to have done so, joining Ron Gardenhire (2002-04), Larry Dierker (1997-99), Ralph Houk (1961-63) and Hughie Jennings (1907-09).

That’s all for now!  Now to watch the game some more.  Go Cards!

Diane