Busch Stadium III [Archive]

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 07:53 PM

where else did you go on your trip?
i am in the process of planning a road trip for this summer..
leaving from nj we are going to:
pittsburgh
clevland (no game)
chicago (wrigley)
milwaukee
st louis
cincinnati
detroit
baltimore
then back home

thats in 6 days!!

No Freekin Way boodie!!!!!! 8 ballparks in 6 days????? Whewwwww!!!! I've actually been sweating this 6 BP's in 7 days . . . I can't even imagine the logistics and timing of 8 in 6. Is it even doable??? you gotta have day games at one point with a night game at another within driving distance.

Wow! Thats all I can say. We haven't taken our trip yet . . . attached is a copy of our itinerary. It'll be tight, but it's easy enough to do . . . I just worry about missing out on the fabulous restaurants in each city.

Edit: Almost forgot to add.

GOOD LUCK!!!

smilin.

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 09:27 PM

Took a trip back to NYC in October of '07. It was during my youngest daughters move there. Stopped in St. Louis where my son was living and toured around the new Busch III Stadium. Here are some of the photos we took. Hopefully, some folks from around the area will post some photos of the interior in time on here.

First of all, no tour of a ballpark is complete without at least a little of the surrounding area. These 1st two were on our way over to the ballpark after lunch. Also a shot of the City-County building with the Arch in the backdrop.

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 09:29 PM

Can't just walk right over to the new park without stopping and paying a little respect to the area in which the old Busch II once stood.

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 09:32 PM

Little stop along the pavers to one of my all-time favorite ballplayers, Mark McGwire. Once upon a time one of the two "Bash Brothers" with the Oakland A's. He made is biggest fame back in St. Louie .. . and this is one of the well desirved honors.

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 09:36 PM

What a beautiful ballpark huh!! I'm a sucker for red bricks.

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 09:41 PM

Just an outstanding feat of architecture. I'm plumb wore out for the day, I'll continue some more of these Busch III photos tomorrow. Hopefully this thread will catch the eye of some Cardinal fans and they'll include their own. I could swear I've seen some of this ballpark on one of my tours of BBF . . . and perhaps I just missed it tonight. But a park like this should have it's own photo thread . . . Amazing that a World Championship was accomplished during it's first season in 2006! Pheonominal!

DiggerODell

03-31-2009, 09:54 PM

Two improvements they could make are. First get rid of the Bud light sign. Second complete the upper deck.

Think? I'll go along with ya on the Bud sign, it's way too overwhelming so far as marketing is concerned. Once on the scoreboard is plenty sufficient. At least for now, I don't agree with you on the completion of the upper deck. I think it looks great as an asymmetrical park.

citifaithful

04-01-2009, 01:27 AM

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 04:44 AM

Nice pics Digger. I always wonder why this park isn't praised. I've never been but I remember being impressed by the computer renderings and whenever I see it on tv, it looks great. Even on a site like this, it doesn't seem to get the same love as the west coast parks or pnc, etc. Any reason that I'm not aware of?

citi, I was actually asking myself the same question. There is absolutely no reason that I know or can think of. So far as not getting praise on BBF, the only thing I can consider is the fact that maybe the thread on here wasn't aptly titled? I did later find a thread "Busch Stadium 2.5, 3". Not sure what the 2.5 is reference too or if it's even valid. But that thread did not have alot of posted entries either.

I agree with you fullheartedly that it is a great looking ballpark and from what my son told me while he lived there a year, he said "St. Louis baseball fans are the best fans he's ever witnessed a ballgame with" He meant that in a "baseball intelligent" compliment. I have heard similar statements from the media through the years.

boodie1821

04-01-2009, 09:48 AM

No Freekin Way boodie!!!!!! 8 ballparks in 6 days????? Whewwwww!!!! I've actually been sweating this 6 BP's in 7 days . . . I can't even imagine the logistics and timing of 8 in 6. Is it even doable??? you gotta have day games at one point with a night game at another within driving distance.

Wow! Thats all I can say. We haven't taken our trip yet . . . attached is a copy of our itinerary. It'll be tight, but it's easy enough to do . . . I just worry about missing out on the fabulous restaurants in each city.

Edit: Almost forgot to add.

GOOD LUCK!!!

smilin.

i would love to enjoy the restaurants and nightlife in each city (especially because i work at an upscale bar) however being a college student puts me on a tight budget.
we are actually doing 8 stadiums in 7 days.. and one of the stadiums (progressive field) there is no game.
i think its gonna be rough but very do able with 4 drivers.

the trip started with wanting to go see our beloved mets in chicago, and it turns out we will not be spending a night in chicago!!

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 11:33 AM

Turned the corner to walk down Clark St. and glanced over to the "pit" that was once Busch Stad. II. Clark runs right through the right side of the old stadiums footprint.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 11:39 AM

The plaque ("Traces of the Past") along Clark St. side of the new ballpark shows the positioning of both stadiums. Quite a feat to have razed Busch II and completed construction the left side of Busch III after the 2005 leading up to the first season at the new park in 2006.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 11:44 AM

Unique how you can see the line on the sidewalk noting the outfield wall of old Busch II.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 11:46 AM

This was October after the 2007 season so for this particular year (the Cards had won it all in 2006) this would be as close to the inside of the park we could get.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 11:50 AM

A couple more "glimpses" of the interior of Busch III. I have no clue what that stand-up poster in the red sea of seats was signifying? Just seen it from the Clark Street side of the park and zoomed in.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 11:55 AM

Probably the best glimpse into the ballpark of the scoreboards. Always something melancholy about seeing a ballpark "not being used" for it's primary purpose in an off season photo. Ironically I would get a similar sort of view of Shea & Yankee stadiums during the next week of this trip.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 12:03 PM

One of the very best broadcasters in the history of baseball. I will never forget his signature line in the course of a ballgame. At the beginning of a game, when the first batter either made a hit or an out of any variety, he'd always say "and that's the way this one begins". They broke the mold on thus guy . . . no doubt!

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 12:09 PM

View of the right field line implanted into the sidewalk along Clark St. from Busch II.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 01:50 PM

Couple of photos of the statue/monument area. A fabulous area just to walk, browse and reflect on a day gone by.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 02:34 PM

I believe every baseball fan has an "all-time favorite" player. Mine has actually always been a tie between Lou Gerhig and Stan "the man" Musial. What an honor then finally stand near his swinging form on that beautiful fall St. Louis afternoon.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 02:47 PM

An absolutely striking ballpark and a credit to Major League Baseball. I can hardly wait to take a game in there next month.

Yankeefan3783

04-01-2009, 02:50 PM

Great pictures DiggerODell.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 03:00 PM

Great pictures DiggerODell.

Your very welcome Yankeefan. Believe me, it's a labor of love to ever see these other stadiums much less to actually see a game within. Just wish I had cleaned that smudge on my camera lense (blurry in the upper-left portion of all these photos) . . . ha!

Shbmets

04-01-2009, 03:10 PM

An absolutely striking ballpark and a credit to Major League Baseball. I can hardly wait to take a game in there next month.

I've been there. It's very impressive. I went to the second game of the 2007 season, Mets/Cards (after the debacle in October 2006). Mets won the game. El Duque dominated. Small measure of revenge!!!

You will love it.

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 04:38 PM

I've been there. It's very impressive. I went to the second game of the 2007 season, Mets/Cards (after the debacle in October 2006). Mets won the game. El Duque dominated. Small measure of revenge!!!

You will love it.

Shbmets, Gotta love those little doses of "small measures of revenge" indeed! Everything I have heard about it - it sounds fabulous, my son went to games several times while he lived in St. Louis (including the season opener a year ago today now that I think about it, he had to nerve to phone me while I was at work and ask me if I could guess where he was . . ha! Playin the Rockies too boot! Damn kids, no respect. smile.) Really looking forward to it!

This is Walt on the ped crossing on Broadway, it was still there in Oct '07 at least. I could look at the face of Busch all day and never tire of it.

THINK BLUE

04-01-2009, 04:40 PM

^wow never noticed the interlocking StL on the side nice touch

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 05:14 PM

^wow never noticed the interlocking StL on the side nice touch

Yes sah! Nice touch indeed! Almost makes you wish you rooted for the Cardinals huh?

Nah. ha!

Here are a few more photos paying homage to the site of old Busch II. Hard to imagine all the history made on that property. McGwire's 62nd came to my mind that day, probably hit that pitch from just outside that water puddle . . . near as i could tell. I am POSTIVE some Cardinal fans could think of many occasions they remember out on that land.

Shbmets

04-01-2009, 06:22 PM

Shbmets, Gotta love those little doses of "small measures of revenge" indeed! Everything I have heard about it - it sounds fabulous, my son went to games several times while he lived in St. Louis (including the season opener a year ago today now that I think about it, he had to nerve to phone me while I was at work and ask me if I could guess where he was . . ha! Playin the Rockies too boot! Damn kids, no respect. smile.) Really looking forward to it!

This is Walt on the ped crossing on Broadway, it was still there in Oct '07 at least. I could look at the face of Busch all day and never tire of it.

I would love to have seen some of the sights. My in-laws live in KC. Saw Red Sox/Royals home opener (Daisuke Matsuzaka's first US start) and then drove to St. Louis the next day. Got there just before 1st pitch. Back in KC by 4am.

I would love to do the big US tour. If I do, I'll make sure to see that gem in the Rocky Mountains.
:waving

DiggerODell

04-01-2009, 06:22 PM

Got my traditional photograph taken outside of the stadium. Just to prove I was there . .. not sure to whom? But for what it's worth, there it is. Then it was time to go . . .New York bound and down! Caught a glimpse of a memorial of "Lewis & Clark" along the Mississippi on the way out of town. Heck? My ole dome ain't to be trusted, if that isn't in honor of Lewis & Clark, someone for Stl. please feel free to correct me. Seems to me it was though?

BaseballinDC

05-05-2009, 07:47 AM

Boy that looks like a nice stadium (and town). I've never been to St. Louis, but had a boss who once told me I reminded him of people from St. Louis (I AM a midwesterner by birth).

A class stadium for a class franchise (and this is coming from a Tigers fan!)

See here for a similar view from the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/28/sports/baseball/28vecsey.html?ref=baseball

JRH11

05-05-2009, 08:24 AM

DiggerODell

05-05-2009, 10:44 AM

Digger:

Lewis and Clark strated their expedition from Camp Dubois in Hartford, Illinois. Hartford is about 15 miles north of downtown St. Louis, where the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers meet. They were supplied by merchnats in St. Louis and probaly traded very close to where that statue is located.

St. Louis is nicknamed "The Gateway to the West." The Gateway Arch is actually named The Jefferson National Expansion Memorial.

Ok, enough history........One neat thing about Busch Stadum III is that you can see the old courthouse (site of the Dred Scott Decision) and the Arch from many vantage points. You could not see either in Busch Stadium II.

Feel free to ask me any other quastions about St. Louis or the Cardinals.

Rob

Thank you very much Rob for filling in the blanks I left on my previous post. Fascinating history! I have only read James Alexander Thom's novel "Sea to Shining Sea" about the Lewis Clark expedition and that was almost 20 years ago. I did not know that about the various views in Stl. from Busch III . .. another interesting tidbit. I wish history classes back in high school might have been interspersed with baseball factola's! . . . I might have enjoyed history more in my youth . . . now days, I can't seem to get enough of it . . .odd how that works. Thanks again for the enlighting information.

Also, I will be seeing a ballgame at Busch on the 22nd of this month, will try to take some interesting pictures of this fine facility.

JRH11

05-05-2009, 12:49 PM

I'm sure many of you know that the Browns moved to Baltimore after the 1953season. The Browns played/owned Sportsman's park and the Cardinals were tenants. The Browns offices were on Grand Avenue and the Cardinals on Dodier. Anyway, the Cardinals/ Anheuser Busch bought the ballpark from the Browns when they moved to Baltimore.

The DeWitt family that owns the Cardinals had some ownership in the Browns....I think late 1940's. Anyway, St. Louis was a Brownie town until the Cards defeated the Yanks in 1926. After that, it was a slow painful death for the Browns.

Rob

stlfan

05-06-2009, 10:05 AM

Nice pic Digger. I swear I had seen a Busch III thread before. I work down at the stadium this season. I work at the Rawlings Making the Game booth out behind the scoreboard. Fun job and awesome working at the stadium.

The pedestrian walkway over 8th St. at Clark is what I consider the last remaining part of Busch II. It used to connect the parking garage directly to the stadium. Hope you enjoy the game.

stlfan

05-07-2009, 07:48 AM

Also, the markers for where the outfield wall and right field foul line were at old Busch continue into the stadium. You'll notice it in the outfield concourse. Also take notice that the cuts in the concrete change in this area to the angle that the grass had been cut at old Busch.

stlfan

05-11-2009, 02:19 PM

For some reason I can never finish a stadium. I was working on my Sportsmans Park and started a new one constructing Busch III. I'll finish Sportsmans, but I figured I'd post pics of what I have done so far with Busch III. My goal is to recreate Sportsmans Park/Busch Stadium I, Busch Stadium II and Busch Stadium III.

DiggerODell

05-11-2009, 06:52 PM

Nice pic Digger. I swear I had seen a Busch III thread before. I work down at the stadium this season. I work at the Rawlings Making the Game booth out behind the scoreboard. Fun job and awesome working at the stadium.

I thought there was another thread too? There is one titled "Busch 2.5 & 3". Say, when I'm there I'll try to look you up to say "hey" at least. Do you work alone or with others and if with others . ..what will you be wearing the 22nd? Please don't say a red ballcap . . ha!

stlfan

05-11-2009, 08:12 PM

I thought there was another thread too? There is one titled "Busch 2.5 & 3". Say, when I'm there I'll try to look you up to say "hey" at least. Do you work alone or with others and if with others . ..what will you be wearing the 22nd? Please don't say a red ballcap . . ha!

I posted that thread "Busch 2.5 & 3." The reason for the 2.5 was to show renderings that the owners had of plans to renovate Busch II. Glad they didn't do them.

As for the Rawlings booth at Busch III, we all wear red Rawlings jerseys and hats. Just ask for James. There's usually 4 or 5 of us there.

DiggerODell

05-11-2009, 08:25 PM

I posted that thread "Busch 2.5 & 3." The reason for the 2.5 was to show renderings that the owners had of plans to renovate Busch II. Glad they didn't do them.

As for the Rawlings booth at Busch III, we all wear red Rawlings jerseys and hats. Just ask for James. There's usually 4 or 5 of us there.

Beg pardon on the 2.5 & 3 . . just didn't undersand it . . . now I do. Perhaps the mods can merge them? Nah . . .probably not . . . would be nice though :happy:

I'll look for ya James . . . and look forward to meeting you and seeing Busch. As i've said before . . . my son Walt has been there a few times when he lived back in Stl. for a spell . . . so I'm sure he and I will go walkin' around to capture some photos. If you see some old guy with a long ole beard wearing an old man's hat . . . why, that'll be me . . ha!

driver62

05-13-2009, 11:54 AM

I saw a game at Busch III two years ago. My daughters husband was an Army recruiter in downtown St. Louis so we got free tickets. We had box seats just past first base.

The park is beautiful. I'm a Reds fan but Busch is much better than GABP. Great American seems so generic and sterile. Maybe it's because all the seats are Red.

Anyway, you will enjoy watching a game there. I sure did even though my Reds were playing the Cards and the Cards won.

NYBase

05-13-2009, 12:15 PM

stlfan

05-13-2009, 01:19 PM

I want to see those renderings.

Here's a link to the thread.

http://www.baseball-fever.com/showthread.php?t=73898&page=2&highlight=Busch+2.5

natron20

05-13-2009, 05:50 PM

Thanks for the pics Digger.

I'll be there on Saturday for my first visit. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!

DiggerODell

05-13-2009, 06:06 PM

Thanks for the pics Digger.

I'll be there on Saturday for my first visit. Can't wait!!!!!!!!!

You're very welcome natron20. I too will be making my 1st visit (inside at least) later this month . . . and ditto on the "can't wait" part.

stlfan

05-18-2009, 03:38 PM

More progress on Busch III.

DiggerODell

05-18-2009, 03:59 PM

I work at the Rawlings Making the Game booth out behind the scoreboard.

Hey James, don't know your park all to well. Is this Rawlings Making the Game booth inside the park or outside the park? Sometimes "behind the scoreboard" in parks are outside . . only reason I ask. 4 days till St. Louie! Lookin' forward to it.

Digger

stlfan

05-18-2009, 08:12 PM

Hey James, don't know your park all to well. Is this Rawlings Making the Game booth inside the park or outside the park? Sometimes "behind the scoreboard" in parks are outside . . only reason I ask. 4 days till St. Louie! Lookin' forward to it.

Digger

Here is a map of the stadium. I circled where it is in red. Hope you enjoy your trip here. Hopefully my redbirds are playing better by then.

DiggerODell

05-18-2009, 09:13 PM

Thank You James . . . We'll look you up and stop in and say "hey" to ya on the 22nd. Appreciate this map, it will come in handy!

stlfan

05-27-2009, 01:33 PM

Gotta love this shot I took after getting off work.

stlfan

05-28-2009, 05:37 PM

Latest on my recreation of Busch III. I did a small section of seats.

DiggerODell

06-19-2009, 02:30 PM

I still have a few pictures for the Kauffman thread, but I figured I'd get some of the Busch photos posted so I can easily find it later. These were all taken of Busch Stadium from the very top of the St. Louis Arch. I love the view (of the entire city) from up there. The last one is a zoom from there, pretty good huh? Just leaned my camera against the glass to steady it . . . was really surprised how it pulled the batting cage in. Life is an experiment, you never know how it's gonna work out . . . ha!

TheSmokinPun

06-19-2009, 02:36 PM

DiggerODell

06-19-2009, 06:36 PM

I really need to get to at least one more game there this season. I'd love to go to the Home Run Derby, but good lord is it expensive. I should also sit somewhere other than the bleachers, it's the only place I've sat for all the games, but the best fans I've met in baseball sit out there.

I hear ya TSP . . . it's a great venue and the fans are filled with a certain kind of passion . . . it's called "baseball intelligence". Not implying elsewhere don't have this intel . . . just not as plentiful.

Finally . .inside this fabulous venue. Batters cage at a reasonable distance . . . the sights . .the smells . . . heaven! Hot damn I love baseball in a place like this! I think everybody's name is Puljols here? Least the back of their jersey would suggest it.

DiggerODell

06-20-2009, 12:59 PM

Other pictures around the ballpark. My jury is still out on whether I like that break in the upper deck? I keep imagining not being there and liking that thought inside my head. I can already tell you, I do not prefer the Bud ad in the UD behind homeplate . . .I hate anytime ads take priority over good seats for the fans.

stlfan

06-20-2009, 01:22 PM

I completely agree with you about the Bud ad. It looks so tacky. As far as the break in the upper deck, it doesn't bother me at all. It's not as glaring as at GABP or Nationals Park. One thing I love is how your first photo in that group shows how close the upper deck is to the field. The use of cantilevers was not wasted.

Philtration

06-20-2009, 10:30 PM

Some serious cantilevers going on there!
I don't care for the split in the upper deck but this is a great ballpark.
It just looks like it is all about baseball.
Bush Stadium was the best of the cookie-cutters but this is light years ahead of that place.

Nice work!

http://www.baseball-fever.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=72015&stc=1&d=1245524128

Sean O

06-20-2009, 10:43 PM

Latest on my recreation of Busch III. I did a small section of seats.

Questionably on-topic, but here goes:

You're probably going to get a better result by doing one of two things with the seating. One, have just two extruded rectangles for each row, one vertical, and one horizontal. That way you save yourself 4 surfaces for each row, which will add up over the course of an entire park.

The other is to just model the vertical seat back only, and then make a darker rectangle representing the between-seat support for each seat. That way you get the impression of having individual seats, while only being slightly more inefficient than what you're doing now.

MarthaT

06-21-2009, 08:27 AM

One of my favorite stadiums. Hoping someone can answer this, In the commissioners box, do the seat #'s start closest to the dugout or on the side opposite the dugout?

stlfan

06-21-2009, 09:23 AM

Sean O, I didn't plan on going completely detailed with the model. More so than others I am working on, but not down to the smallest details. It'll still take me time though.

stlfan

06-21-2009, 09:42 AM

Comparison shots to Diggers last 3 photos posted.

DiggerODell

06-21-2009, 10:57 AM

Comparison shots to Diggers last 3 photos posted.

Whoa! Nice work James . . . I see now what you were saying to SeanO about there being more detail than first meets the eye. I caught me some sort of summer cold (cutting into my ballparking at Coors and beer drinkin', that really tics me off! . .ha!) and I still have a bunch of photos of Busch from when Walt and I walked around it, just before we came over to Rawlings to meet you . . . anyhow . . . I'll eventually get them on here. They aren't spectacular photos, but just some shots that give someone who hasn't visited Busch and idea of just how special a park it really is.

stlfan

06-21-2009, 06:29 PM

DiggerODell

06-21-2009, 06:53 PM

James, I hear ya on the "Bud Light sign" . . . I can see why they don't have seats there with the suites or press box area . . .but I simply would have designed it differently I reckon. So far as the cantilever "reaching out towards the field" . . . that can be good . . and bad. At Coors, the upper deck in right field goes out pretty far, but unless your sitting row 1, you can't see the entire field, particulary the right field fence. Rows 2-40 (or whatever the backrow is) may miss a little of the fence line . . .but they do get a closer view with the stands inset like this. Looks like that probably don't effect Busch that much as that on is in the left field corner more or less. I love the "old fashioned" feel those cantilever's give you though . .. they are designed exactly like, but put me in mind of old Sportsmans . . just the feel I guess.

DiggerODell

06-21-2009, 06:55 PM

Great shots so far Digger. I'm enjoying your shots from the other parks as well. After looking at your photos and watching the Cardinal games on tv while they are in KC makes me really want to drive across the state to take in a game or two at Kauffman.

It won't be a waste of time or money James . . . do it when you can! You'll enjoy, I garontee! (as ole Justin Wilson would say) I'm surprised you weren't over there to see your boys "whoop some tail"? .. .ha!

DiggerODell

06-21-2009, 07:02 PM

Now if I ain't mistaken . . . this white line in the left field concourse of Busch III is where the old right field foul line of Busch II used to be. James, you may need to correct me on this again . . . I never can get this line right . . ha! Perhaps it's the line of the old outfield fence at Busch II? I just can't remember.

DiggerODell

06-21-2009, 07:08 PM

Some photos of the lower concourse of the ballpark. Also, the last photo is of the inside of the store which is right off the concourse. They sure sell alot of "red stuff" there. . .

stlfan

06-21-2009, 08:55 PM

Yup, Digger. Would have been nice to be in KC this weekend. WOW, lots of offense. Especially Pujols. He is a machine. Also nice to see positive stuff for Khalil Greene after his return.

Your assumption about the white line in the outfield concourse is correct. That is the marker for the right field line at Busch II. Further out on the outfield concourse toward center is a green and yellow line showing where the outfield wall for Busch II was. Not sure if you noticed it with the crowds of people.

In regards to the Bud Light sign, I wish they would have just made that glass so those in the press area up there could see more. In the first season there were many complaints from the media about the limited vertical view from in there.

You are right about sitting in the upper deck in left field. You miss a lot of the left field corner, but you are closer to the field. It is a throwback to Sportsmans for sure. Looking forward to seeing more of your great photos.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 10:07 AM

....I wish they would have just made that glass so those in the press area up there could see more. In the first season there were many complaints from the media about the limited vertical view from in there.
.

James, do you mean to tell me that Bud Light sign isn't "at least" that sort of technology you see on windows of public buses? Pure glass would be preferable I agree, would be a kick to see the press running around in there during a game, but at minimum . . . use that tech (I forget what it's called) where folks on the inside can see out, not to mention get some much needed light in and the BL ad would show up like it does.

Ok . . . it's "pan-time" again at ye ole ballpark . . . what a fabulous view this park has of the Arch and downtown St. Louis in general! (and visa versa I might add, from the arch to the ballpark)

primetime62

06-22-2009, 10:14 AM

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 12:49 PM

Thanks for the pictures, and not a moment too soon. I will be in St. Louis to catch my first outdoor MLB game on Sunday before heading over to KC the next day. When I was buying the tickets, I was disappointed on how few pictures are out there, not just on this site, but the net as a whole.

stlfan, or anyone really, have you ever taken in a game from the upper deck? We'll be in 524, according to seatdata.com the view looks good, but camera's don't always tell the truth. I'm curious as to if it will feel like we're in an airplane or not. Regardless, I'm looking forward to the backdrop for sure.

Hope you have a wonderful time on your Missouri trip next week primetime! Both are wonderful venue's . .. and albeit both very different . . .both are a fabulous place to take in a ballgame. I can't answer your Q on sec 524, never made it up there the night I was there . . but I'm sure somebody will come along and answer.

Crew preping the field for pregame events . . . some crowd shots . . . more on the concourse . . . and "hot dog, hot dog, hot diggity dog!".

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 01:02 PM

Some more of the pregame festivities . . .also a little mini pan again 'round the ballfield.

stlfan

06-22-2009, 01:06 PM

primetime, not seeing a section 524 on the seating chart. The only 500's are the bleachers. Sorry, can't help you out. Hope you enjoy the game.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 01:10 PM

Looking straight out into the LF bleachers, our seats would be several rows down from the "July 14th on Fox" sign. A closer view of the pregame hoopla . . . the last picture is just before I went into the Rawlin's shop to meet James, which is just to the left in the shot but I never did get a good photo of that place . . . drats . . .with all the hurry to get out in time for the first pitch . . . sorry James . . .

primetime62

06-22-2009, 02:18 PM

primetime, not seeing a section 524 on the seating chart. The only 500's are the bleachers. Sorry, can't help you out. Hope you enjoy the game.

Oops 445, not sure where I got that number from.

stlfan

06-22-2009, 02:55 PM

primetime, you're up there, but at least in the infield, halfway between home and first. Enjoy the game.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 05:00 PM

Nice scoreboard at Busch. Wellemeyer just before he made his first delivery of the game and a close-up photo of Callaspo batting in the 1st inning.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 05:03 PM

A look around Busch during the early portion of the game.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 05:07 PM

The first picture is actually the last picture in the set of panning around the stadium. Game in progress picture and a shot of the TV broadcast booth.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 06:08 PM

Can't have any "in game photos" of Busch, without the "main man!" up close. Little blurry . . . drats . . . but you get the jest.

DiggerODell

06-22-2009, 06:21 PM

Good view of the centerfield wall in the first picture. The entire game I loved this view of the left field wall (2nd picture) as it lent you the illusion you were on the field (not sure why? just did) I believe thats the final pitch of the game in the fourth picture . . .as the next one was the final totals on the board.

DiggerODell

06-23-2009, 12:47 PM

Leaving the ballpark. I hate night time photography, never works out for me. Everybody becomes a blur (anything in motion). I wish all these games on our trip had been day games but day games are fewer and fewer these days.

DiggerODell

06-23-2009, 12:53 PM

Some night time shots from a pedestrian bridge of the stadium. On my preview these looked great! Wasn't till I got home and got them on the computer that I realized they weren't all that great. Last photo is my youngest daughter in front of the ballpark.

DiggerODell

06-23-2009, 01:00 PM

On our way to catch the light rail I caught these pictures of the side of Busch and the lit up "St. Louis Cardinals" logo. Very striking at night.

Chevy114

06-24-2009, 12:46 PM

As much as I feel like it's the ulitimate clone stadium with nothing that seperates it from other "throwback" stadiums, I must admit I love their views and I love their scoreboard!

marlins739

06-24-2009, 02:03 PM

stlfan

06-24-2009, 04:03 PM

Does anybody have a close up picture of the Bud Light ad from the seats around it? Interesting that they would give up that many seats for an advertisement, even if this ballpark is a shrine to beer. It could have gone on the facing of the press box just below it and they could add another hundred seats or so

Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but here are a couple of shots my girlfriend took from her seats back in 2007. They are from the second row behind the sign. It appears they were just above the "B" in the Bud Light sign.

cardsfan124

06-24-2009, 08:09 PM

that bud light ad tacky as it looks is merely the roof of the pressbox, i kind of wished they would have made the pressbox one whole pressbox instead of two sepreate (one for media/one for tv and radio) but if they would change the ad to make it blend in more it wouldn't look so bad imo

TC009

06-26-2009, 05:55 PM

So my buddy and I are planning on coming down from MN for the Home Run Derby! My friend is a HUGE Cards fan and we have made trips to STL before. This will be our first All-Star Game and figured what better place?!

My question is actually regarding tickets/seating. We have been scanning the web for tickets and while there are many, we can't figure out the average going rate for the derby. Does anyone know what the face value for tickets are? I'm assuming there is a list of ticket prices. We just want to try and find a fair deal for tickets. We are by no means made of money and based on some of these ticket prices you have to be!

My other question is about standing room only. These seem to be the cheapest tickets and am wondering if it's worth it, or will we be fighting crowds all night.

Thanks in advance for any info you may have. I've always enjoyed STL and the stadiums. We have been to both Busch II and III. We actually kind of miss Busch II. We got to sit through our first rain delay there, and coming from the Metrodome, that was a lot of fun!

disgrig

06-26-2009, 07:44 PM

I just spoke to a co-worker today who paid $250 for a ticket to the derby. I assume he paid face value since he bought it from another co-worker who is a season ticket holder and I don't think there was any mark up involved. I don't know where the seats are. I know the season ticket holder's seats are on the first base side in the 400 level upper deck. Maybe the seats are there but I'm not sure if the season ticket holders can get their same seats for the All Star events or not.

primetime62

06-26-2009, 11:22 PM

Derby tickets are ridiculously expensive. $250 on a baseline seems a little much, but wouldn't doubt that out in the outfield from what I've picked up on. Can't wait to get to the game on Sunday, leaving in 5 1/2 hours, better get to bed!

stlfan

06-27-2009, 03:15 PM

Where ya coming from primetime?

stlfan

07-01-2009, 02:07 PM

Some photos I took the other day before work. I plan on taking some more this week of the place empty after a night game. I am also going to go down really early before all of the All Star events and take photos.

stlfan

07-01-2009, 02:09 PM

More shots from the other day.

stlfan

07-01-2009, 02:12 PM

Last group from 6/29/09

DiggerODell

07-01-2009, 02:52 PM

Last group from 6/29/09

Great pictures James! Where in the world did you take the first photo in this group from? The one from right field, showing the players doing stretches out on the field and shows the Bud Light banner? I keep looking at your other photos and considering you can see to the left in the photo the upper deck in RF stands . . . it looks to me like it's taken from the rooftop of the brick stairwell? Good and unique angle bud!

DiggerODell

07-01-2009, 02:57 PM

Say James, next time you take some photos of Busch . . you really should take one of the Rawlings store you work at. I completely missed taking one that night I was there . . . hurrying back for the 1st pitch of the game . . . Not gonna hurt to give your work environs a little plug anyhow . . . lol

primetime62

07-01-2009, 09:56 PM

Where ya coming from primetime?

Sorry I missed this, I came from Minneapolis, was almost to St. Louis when you posted that, I think. Anyways a few pictures from Sunday's 6/28 game vs. the Twins.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2506/3676684314_810d1e4940.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2594/3676686052_7b623cae6c.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3541/3675871763_4b4226c4d8.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2603/3675874059_957d25e58a_m.jpg
From the upper deck split on the 3rd baseline.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2606/3676687276_64e36a7982.jpg?v=0
Coming from the Dome, I found these panels in the concourse kind of funny.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3676691294_06ac9fc0d3.jpg?v=0
View from seats top row of 445.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2587/3676690800_740448cd39.jpg?v=0
Skyline view from my seats.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2549/3676695006_91191fc8ca.jpg?v=0
Fuzzy picture with my cheap camera. Twins win 6-2.

Click for more pictures and higher resolutions from my trip to St. Louis and Kansas City (http://www.flickr.com/photos/39109120@N08/)

stlfan

07-01-2009, 10:47 PM

Great pictures James! Where in the world did you take the first photo in this group from? The one from right field, showing the players doing stretches out on the field and shows the Bud Light banner? I keep looking at your other photos and considering you can see to the left in the photo the upper deck in RF stands . . . it looks to me like it's taken from the rooftop of the brick stairwell? Good and unique angle bud!

That first photo is taken from the upper deck concourse level just to the left of the right field stands in front of the brick tower. You can see the vantage point in the second photo. As I said, I plan on taking many more pics, especially during the All Star events.

StL Dan

07-11-2009, 01:01 AM

Hey, guys. I fell in love with BIII the first game I saw there in 2006. Amazing place. It's perfect for a fan like me. Great view of the skyline.....lot's of blue sky above....fans all the way around the field....underappreciated by the media and a "well kept secret" from the overdosed madness of right and wrong coasters, but that's the way I like it. That's a part of being a Cards fan. A team that is oft overlooked - but nearly always competitive and can bring home the hardware from time to time.

Great pix DIGGER.

I'm attending the HR Derby on Monday. I'll try to download some pix from my camera to add to this thread.

GO CARDS

DiggerODell

07-11-2009, 01:27 AM

GO CARDS

Right On Dan . . . the place is fabulous ... i was in heaven two days . . . Kauffman and BIII as you describe . . . I was in absolute heaven!!! The fans help Busch .. . damn there is something special about being around brains! (not big words, just brains)

stlfan

07-11-2009, 06:16 AM

I'm getting excited about Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. I'll be there since I work there. My coworkers and I plan on getting down way early to just take everything in and take pictures. I'll make sure to post them next week.

GO NATIONAL LEAGUE!!!!!!

BTW, they have shown shots of Busch on the news here in prep for the All Star Game and it looks great. The outfield grass has the image of the Arch and the Old Courthouse cut into it. Awesome!!

TC009

07-11-2009, 10:22 AM

Zoso

07-11-2009, 10:33 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3676691294_06ac9fc0d3.jpg?v=0

What's up with putting seats behind the foul poles? I mean clearly you don't have to here, you could easily move the aisle over a few feet and line it up directly with the pole. Any time it could be avoided, it should, but it almost never is.

MarthaT

07-11-2009, 10:47 AM

Was there a couple weeks ago, heres a couple pictures from behind the visiting teams on deck circle:

http://www.submiturpics.com/images/3hpmy6l8rtcwtocieie.jpg (http://www.submiturpics.com/)

http://www.submiturpics.com/images/7cericp3ayd2vsli6bh.jpg (http://www.submiturpics.com/)

http://www.submiturpics.com/images/gcwd91x9ssqda00oskgc.jpg (http://www.submiturpics.com/)

http://www.submiturpics.com/images/04cxno4nvtjev3kzklfn.jpg (http://www.submiturpics.com/)

http://www.submiturpics.com/images/rf0qumiqz4lru8jsuo2h.jpg (http://www.submiturpics.com/)

stlfan

07-11-2009, 09:06 PM

My friend and I just got tickets to the derby! We can't wait. We are leaving tomorrow but are making a pit stop at Wrigley!

Any tips on what to do during the day prior to the derby/all-star game besides the fanfest? We kind of want to hang out down near the park Monday and Tuesday but aren't sure if there will be much going on until the evening.

If you are looking for bars, there are a few just south of the stadium. Paddy O's is right next to it by the home plate entrance. A block south of that is Kilroy's and then one more block south between the railroad overpasses is The Birdhouse.

Hope you have a great time! I'll be at the Rawlings booth out beyond center field in the stadium.

DiggerODell

07-11-2009, 10:22 PM

If you are looking for bars, there are a few just south of the stadium. Paddy O's is right next to it by the home plate entrance. A block south of that is Kilroy's and then one more block south between the railroad overpasses is The Birdhouse.

Hope you have a great time! I'll be at the Rawlings booth out beyond center field in the stadium.

And "Caleco's" . . . just two blocks south . . . Hot damn James I so envy you . . . The game . .. goodness I hope it comes back to Denver again . .ha! '98 . . . long time a go now . . .lol. You are going to have a blast . .working and all . . . you are so lucky . . . Damn I'm half tempted to fill the F250 up . .ha!

Great One

07-11-2009, 10:40 PM

After seeing all these good pictures, I'm getting pretty jealous now that I can't make it out there to the Home Run Derby and the All Star game. I'll be coming out there in 16 days for a game.

TC009

07-11-2009, 11:04 PM

Thanks for the tip. So my friend and I just landed tickets to the derby in the Coca-Cola Scoreboard Porch! It looks like a fun place to sit- especialy for the derby! Anyone have ever sit there and can give us pointers? Thanks!

PeteU

07-14-2009, 01:02 PM

Kicking for today's All Star game.

One comment: I think it is odd how the main scoreboard and the main video board are so close together. It gives it a bit of a cluttered look.

Plus, interesting how Big Mac Land was carried over to the new park, given a) Mark McGwire never played at the new park and b) McGwire's name has been sullied in recent years. Still, I'm guessing there are contractual obligations.

On the positive, the view is very impressive. Love the view of the Arch in center.

GuitarPunk2512

07-14-2009, 01:54 PM

the view is really nice and the stadium overall is great. but the gap in the UD ruins the stadium for me, and it cant even be corrected because th other section is lower and built different.

Sean O

07-14-2009, 02:02 PM

the view is really nice and the stadium overall is great. but the gap in the UD ruins the stadium for me, and it cant even be corrected because th other section is lower and built different.

How can it "ruin" the park? A gap in the UD is so monumentally insignificant in the grand scheme of things. It's weird, but I have a hard time thinking of one single feature that can be that deleterious to a park in general.

GuitarPunk2512

07-14-2009, 02:04 PM

How can it "ruin" the park? A gap in the UD is so monumentally insignificant in the grand scheme of things. It's weird, but I have a hard time thinking of one single feature that can be that deleterious to a park in general.

i hate every 'gap' in stadiums, it looks so out of place, especially cincy and st louis when u look at HP from the outfield, the UD looks so weird and asymetrical. idn maybe i just like whole complete symetrical stands?

Gary Dunaier

07-14-2009, 02:19 PM

Plus, interesting how Big Mac Land was carried over to the new park, given a) Mark McGwire never played at the new park and b) McGwire's name has been sullied in recent years. Still, I'm guessing there are contractual obligations.

I see on the Television that there are little "McDonald's" logos on the sides of the sign, so while the name obviously evokes thoughts of the tainted Mark McGwire, it also serves to advertise their "Big Mac" sandwich product, which was around before Mark McGwire became a professional baseball man.

What I'm trying to say is that I don't think "Big Mac Land" was intended to honor Mark McGwire, but to promote the McDonald's sandwich product.

Zoso

07-14-2009, 04:11 PM

i hate every 'gap' in stadiums, it looks so out of place, especially cincy and st louis when u look at HP from the outfield, the UD looks so weird and asymetrical. idn maybe i just like whole complete symetrical stands?

The problem is the real prevailing reason for it, which we can presume is simply pleasant asymmetry. A lot of the older parks had gaps or shifts in the profiles of the grandstands because they weren't completed in one shot. But on the other hand, the splits do serve a purpose in the end because the seating configuration is different on each side.

Detroit's split follows with a much lower upper deck, so it cuts down on the total number of skyboxes and gives you a little better view on one side. In Cincy, there's a much bigger mezzanine level and a much smaller upper deck on the left side after it splits. In a way it makes sense though, I mean most teams don't need many (if any) skyboxes way down the lines or in the outfield. Cleveland's skyboxes don't reach into the outfield, but the upper deck remains the same height, so the outfield seats are situated higher than they really need to be. If there was a split, you could have lower situated (much better) seats out there.

KingmanIII

07-14-2009, 06:35 PM

Can't have any "in game photos" of Busch, without the "main man!" up close. Little blurry . . . drats . . . but you get the jest.
And to think, he used to play college ball less than 20 minutes away from Kauffman Stadium...:sigh:

PeteU

07-14-2009, 08:32 PM

What I'm trying to say is that I don't think "Big Mac Land" was intended to honor Mark McGwire, but to promote the McDonald's sandwich product.

Maybe it is in fact a coincidence, but I believe "Big Mac Land" first started at Busch II around the same time that Mark McGwire was on his historic run in 1998. Not to mention the fact that it was in upper left field, where a McGwire moonshot had a chance of landing.

I believe there is no coincidence:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/hallfame/2006-11-27-mcgwire-voters_x.htm

"When he hit 70 homers in 1998 — breaking the mark of 61 Roger Maris had set 37 years earlier — McGwire became a national hero for his Paul Bunyan-like physique and feats. A year later, part of an interstate highway in St. Louis was named after McGwire. Large signs at both the current and previous Busch Stadium called attention to "Big Mac Land," ads for McDonald's referencing McGwire."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/mlb/news/1999/04/05/bigmac_land/

scooterfan

07-14-2009, 10:53 PM

Lions/Tigers@Cubs.OhMy!

07-15-2009, 10:12 AM

The stadium looked real good last night. We go every year for the first Cubs/Cards series and I've always really enjoyed the park. The upper deck patios in the corners are nice places to sit, people watch and eat food before a game. Also, getting around in the park is a lot easier than in other parks I've visited.

stlfan

07-15-2009, 12:48 PM

DiggerODell

07-15-2009, 01:24 PM

I am exhausted! It was great but I am worn out from working at the stadium. I should have pics posted next week. I got great ones too of the players coming in the stadium after the parade. I'll tell the good stories along with the photos. I should have even more in a couple of weeks. A guy I work with took photos too so we are going to trade off.

Sounds fabulous James, I'm looking forward to the images as well as the tales! I'll bet your cooked . . . Ole St. Louie put on a hell of a game . . . I had my doubts earlier when I seen they hadn't even improved the old ballpark area . . . but in hindsight, I don't believe they even needed it. Bad guys won it again though . . only downer . . . Brad Hawpe gave it a ride and was robbed on an excellent play . . . so all in all it was a good game. St. Louis should be proud, as I am sure they are. Hope you got to enjoy some of the whoppla and not work all the time? All work and no play make Jack a dull boy . . . as ole Jack Torrence once wrote . . .ha!

PhillyFan

07-15-2009, 03:11 PM

St. Louis did an excellent job with the game last night. They should be proud...sorry my guy howard couldn't drive in some runs! Sorry rest of NL!!

KingmanIII

07-15-2009, 05:23 PM

Being a Royals fan, and not a big fan of the whole retro trend, even I gotta admit: this is a pretty damn good ballpark. There's just something...different...about this park that separates it from the rest of the the new cookie cutters...I just can't quite put my finger on it. I also like the fact that it was built mostly with private money.

How's the Ballpark Village coming along?

I might even catch a train over there to see a game sometime soon.

BMF

07-15-2009, 05:42 PM

I actually think both parks in the show me state looks good. what is the wind like in st louis? does the ball carry there? because if its a fair ballpark that homerun derby was weak.... worst so far.... maybe they need to LET the players juice up for that.

MarthaT

07-16-2009, 08:10 AM

stlfan

07-16-2009, 12:41 PM

After this weekend, I wonder if the All Star game is one of the reasons things haven't materialized with Ballpark Village. I'm wondering if one of the selling points for STL getting the All Star Game was that MLB liked that they could have this huge plot of land on which to put all of that All Star related stuff right next to the stadium. MLB also had to like the fact that all fans had to do to get to Fan Fest from the ballpark was hop on Metrolink for 5 minutes. Might be why Fan Fest had record numbers because all of the events were easily accessible from each other.

stlfan

07-16-2009, 02:55 PM

PhillyFan

07-16-2009, 04:06 PM

I have a question. For years I have seen at All Star games that MLB has created a press overflow area. Usually they take a section or two of loge or upper deck seats and create a press overflow area. They didn't have one at Busch this week. Does anyone know why?

I am not sure why but I did want to mention your city looked great on TV the other night! Good job by the Cardinals and Stl!

the_Bored

07-16-2009, 08:39 PM

I have a question. For years I have seen at All Star games that MLB has created a press overflow area. Usually they take a section or two of loge or upper deck seats and create a press overflow area. They didn't have one at Busch this week. Does anyone know why?

With this economy, perhaps they simply didn't need it. You would have to assume some newspapers at least sent fewer reporters to St. Louis and some probably didn't send any at all.

stlfan

07-17-2009, 02:14 PM

Alright, here are batches of photos from All Star Sunday events as well as shots taken before the gates opened for the day. Let's start with the shots from before the gates opened.

The first is a view towards the main grandstand from the back of the left field bleachers. The second is a photo from the same vantage point but towards the third base stands. The third is of the All Star logo painted in foul territory. The fourth is a nice view of the field and looking out towards downtown.

It was awesome being able to explore and get great shots before everyone else did. I mean, this was pretty much a once in a lifetime opportunity and I was taking full advantage of it. I just wish it hadn't been so overcast. I got better shots on Monday when it was sunnier.

stlfan

07-17-2009, 02:23 PM

More photos before the park opened. Walking around I noticed areas where more seats were added. Down the foul lines from the infield there is an aisle halfway between the field and the main aisle that was filled in with a makeshift row of seats. As I mentioned before, I found it strange that there was no press overflow area in the seats.

The first is a shot from the very top of the upper deck behind home plate looking down the third base stands. The second is something only those working at the stadium saw. It's a directional sign for those entering the stadium letting them know where to go. The third shot is looking down the first base stands on the field box level of some bundting. The fourth is from outside the ballpark showing a couple of All Star banners. I really liked the style of all of the signage for the All Star Game. The area behind these banners is where I work in the Rawlings booth.

stlfan

07-17-2009, 02:25 PM

Even more from before the ballpark opened.

stlfan

07-17-2009, 02:29 PM

Opps, pressed the wrong button there.

The first is taken from the front row of the right field seats. The second is looking at the right field corner from the same vantage point. They cut a hole in the wall for a camera view. Can't wait to see if they covered it back over. You can also see the extra row they put in that I mentioned. The third is looking up at the scoreboards from the same vantage point.

Well, gotta get ready to head down for work. I'll post more over the next few days.

DiggerODell

07-17-2009, 02:35 PM

Even more from before the ballpark opened.

Great shots of Busch James! Interesting, seeing an insiders view before the whoppla really began. Wonder how many folks rode up in that Arch? It was packed when I was there May 22, can't imagine the lines and the packed lifts during the All-Star break. Would have been a great vantage point though. The park sure looks sharp with all the colorful bunting!

MarthaT

07-17-2009, 06:02 PM

Field looked fantastic!

stlfan

07-17-2009, 10:43 PM

Field looked fantastic!

I agree. I loved the design they did in the grass.

stlfan

07-18-2009, 09:27 AM

Photos from Sunday's events. The first is taken during the Futures game. It got delayed 4 hours due to rain. They only ended up playing 7 innings (which the World team rallied to score 4 runs and beat USA) so that the softball game could be played. I ended up having an eleven hour work day. The second shot is outside the building where Rawlings Making the Game is, which is where I work. The week before we were told that we might not be open for the All Star Events because MLB wanted to take over our area to sell merchandise. I was bummed but luckily that didn't happen and I was able to be down there all three days. The third shot is of the interior of the building showing our booth.
In the shot you can see the lathe machine on the left where we demonstrate making bats. To the immediate right of that is the laser engraving machine where we engrave bats, balls and gloves. The fourth photo is while the NL softball team was warming up. At this point, this was the coolest thing. To see all of the former ballplayers and celebrities playing catch and talking it up was pretty neat.

stlfan

07-18-2009, 09:39 AM

More photos of the Legends and Celebrity Softball Game.

In the first photo you have Vince Coleman and Lee Smith talking to each other in the center of the photo. The second is of Billy Bob Thornton warming up. He's a huge Cardinals fan. In the third photo you have Bobby Knight on the left and Lee Smith on the right. The fourth photo has Vince Coleman on the left and Dave Winfield on the right.

stlfan

07-18-2009, 09:48 AM

Yet more photos from the softball game.

The first is a cool shot of the blimp that was continuously circling the stadium. The last photo is of AL team manager Mike Golic talking to the team right before the game.

stlfan

07-20-2009, 03:30 PM

Ok, onto Monday's festivities.

The first is a shot looking out towards downtown. The weather really worked out the best on monday with the blue skies and nice clouds. The second is a shot of the grandstand behind home plate from the field level seats that are tucked under the loge level. The third photo is of the field set up for a skills competition for youth players. This took place before the gates opened. The fourth pic is one of the "Hit it Here" signs set up for the Home Run Derby and the All Star Game.

stlfan

07-20-2009, 03:35 PM

More Monday pics.

The first is another "Hit it Here" sign. The second photo is the third of three of the "Hit it Here" signs. The third pic is taken from the back of the Casino Queen Party Porch level in left field. It really shows how much the upper deck hangs over in this part of the ballpark. Of course it wouldn't be the All Star week without All Stars. This is a shot of Trevor Hoffman jogging on the warning track.

stlfan

07-20-2009, 03:38 PM

More pre-event photos from Monday.

The first is of Barry Larkin and Harold Reynolds talking with Hoffman. The second shot is looking up at the right field stands from around the right field foul pole. Cool shot.

THINK BLUE

07-20-2009, 05:09 PM

awesome pictures great to see nice cantilever in effect i love all the red no doubt your in cardinal country

stlfan

07-20-2009, 08:14 PM

More photos from Monday.

The first one is of Braun taking BP during the All Star Workout. Watching all of the players hanging out made me wish I could hear their conversations. The second photo is of Ryan Howard, who was well received since he's from the St. Louis area. The third is of Ozzie throwing out a ceremonial pitch. The last is a general shot of the stadium before the start of the Derby.

stlfan

07-20-2009, 08:19 PM

Derby photos.

The first photo is of the NL team watching the Derby. The second is of Prince Fielder blasting one out in the first round. The third is of the out of town scoreboard which showed where the balls landed for each player. The fourth is of Ryan Howard hitting a homer in the first round.

stlfan

07-20-2009, 08:25 PM

More Derby photos.

For now I only have shots of the first round. One of my coworkers and I took turns taking photos. The first is showing where Howard's homers went in the first round. The second is of the scoreboard when they had Reggie Jackson come out before Pujols started in the first round. Of course I was disappointed with Pujols' performance during the derby, but then again, the derby wasn't that great overall. The third photo is of Pujols going yard in the first round.

Lafferty Daniel

07-20-2009, 09:37 PM

Thank you so much for sharing these great pics stlfan. Busch III looks wonderful.

JRH11

07-20-2009, 10:45 PM

The second and third decks are too far from the field. Are these decks farther or closer than Busch 2? Busch was the best of the all purpose national league astro turf stadiums of yesteryear and I don't think it needed to be replaced.

It was badly deteriorating from the inside out. It was still a beautiful stadium to the naked eye, but the Cardinals were spending millions each year on it's innards.

the_Bored

07-21-2009, 05:44 AM

The second and third decks are too far from the field. Are these decks farther or closer than Busch 2? Busch was the best of the all purpose national league astro turf stadiums of yesteryear and I don't think it needed to be replaced.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd237/the-Bored/Busch.gif

Busch II on top, Busch III on the bottom. As you can see, while old Busch did have a lower profile, New Busch puts fans closer to the field horizontally. Not to mention how close the upper decks get in the LF and RF corners.

stlfan

07-24-2009, 05:13 PM

More pix. Sorry I haven't been faster in getting these pics out. I'm almost done selecting and resizing photos. Only a couple here. The first is looking up 8th street all decked out for the Red Carpet Parade. I took these at around 9am, long before the crowds flocked downtown for the parade. I was on my way to Fanfest, about to hop on Metrolink. The second shot is at the same time looking at the Musial entrance where the players got out and entered the stadium.

My coworker and I got a great spot just inside the stadium where all of the players came in and had to go through security. More on that later when I post those.

StanTheMan

07-24-2009, 09:47 PM

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burroughsmvp

08-01-2009, 10:25 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2640/3777624089_7d2e59ca6d_b.jpg

HollandsComet

08-03-2009, 07:01 PM

Forgive the redundancy if this has already been covered on this board, but I don't get why they chose to put both video boards side-by-side in center and right field. I paid my first visit to the park on Saturday, and from my nosebleed seat in the upper right field corner, I could only seen about half of the centerfield board, and from my vantage point, I couldn't get any out-of-town scores, or even the linescore of the Cardinal game on the auxiliary ribbon board on the third base side. Dumb question, but couldn't one of the video boards been placed in left field? Nice stadium, overall, but it could've been even better...:disbelief:

stlfan

08-03-2009, 08:43 PM

Ok, here are a few of some of the players when they came in. Shoot me if you think these shouldn't be posted in this forum.

Lou Brock, Joe Torre, Tim Lincecum and Carl Crawford. Damn you Crawford for robbing the NL of that homerun!

stlfan

08-03-2009, 08:52 PM

More photos of players entering the stadium.

Ryan Franklin, Prince Fielder, Yadier Molina and David Wright.

stlfan

08-03-2009, 08:58 PM

DiggerODell

08-03-2009, 09:20 PM

Ok, onto the game......

The first is of the 2nd pitch of the game. I missed the first pitch. Can anyone guess which suite was Obama's? The next two are of the game from the upper deck. The last is of David Wright at bat. Right after this picture was when the NL started to rally.

Great shots James! I can't believe you had the audacity to miss the first pitch!!!! Ha! Believe me, I've done it too, if you'll recollect, I almost did that night I met you at the Rawlins bat factory you work at behind the CF scoreboard. No idea where the Prez was located . . . I particulary liked the earlier sets with the ballplayers/coaches/families arriving . . . very interesting perspective and brings back the old days when we kids would greet players (or say good bye after the game) at the OAC still in their civies. I'm not usually a big fan of ballpark lawn art . . . but St. Louis did a Grade A job with the courthouse and the arch . . . great picture you captured of it . . . will be looking forward to the rest of the game shots . . . You got me all fired back up to take a repeat of my May trip . . . ha! Good stuff!

Digger

burroughsmvp

08-17-2009, 11:48 AM

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2620/3830963262_2948f38123_b.jpg

PhillyFan

08-17-2009, 01:00 PM

Beautiful looking park. I can't wait to see it someday!

marlins739

08-17-2009, 02:11 PM

I went to St. Louis over the weekend and for the first time I realized that the Bud Light ad in the upper deck is for the benefit of tourists looking out the windows inside the Gateway Arch. It's hard to see from inside the park, but it's glaringly obvious out of the Arch, where the courthouse and Busch Stadium are the two most interesting things to look at. St. Louis is a nice city, and Busch was a beautiful ballpark. Pictures on the way

marlins739

08-20-2009, 07:24 AM

From the Gateway Arch. It's a pretty cool ride up to the top of there in a tiny little gondola car, then when you get there, you can look out of the tiny windows and onto a really nice view of Busch Stadium. The Bud Light ad had to be for the tourists looking at the ballpark from up there, I now know

75139

The roof of the parking garage behind the outfield is a nice place to look from. They have a scoreboard facing the outside on the right field side

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Walking toward the right field entrance. It seemed like most people entered the ballpark from the outfield side, there wasn't much happening behind the plate. I didn't make it over to the rest of the exterior, but it blends in very nicely with the area. Lots of dark brick buildings around here. I thought it was a Camden copycat at first, but it works very well here. The exterior echoes the Eads Bridge too

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Right field entrance. I was wearing my Marlins gear, and the guy checking the tickets recognized it and asked if I was from Jupiter. The Marlins and Cardinals train together at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL, so I've gotten to see the Cardinals many more times than any other team. It's fun seeing them in the regular season too

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My first glimpse of the field. They have a few big portals along the lower deck that serve multiple sections. There's no open concourse in the infield here either, just like in Arlington, but the concourse is much wider here, with bigger bathrooms and more concession lines. 40,000 in attendance, but hardly any lines back here, and it was much easier to move around. Notice the big section of soldiers in the left field upper deck. Later on, the soldiers section successfully started the wave

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marlins739

08-20-2009, 07:35 AM

The view from the same portal looking out towards the scoreboards. The main video board looks a lot bigger in person. I had expected it to be at Arlington proportions, but it's really plenty big enough. Good job on both of the scoreboards by the Cardinals without overdoing it like some parks (Cleveland and NYS)

75144

Same place looking towards the skyline. The dead area behind the outfield isn't as noticeable in person as it is in pictures, and the ugly 1960s Busch II parking garage isn't either. Also, plenty of parking capacity right next to the park for a downtown ballpark. We got there late and found a spot easily in the east garage. I had hoped the courthouse dome would light up at night, but it doesn't

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Closeup of the scoreboards. The Marlins and Rockies were rained out. I liked how they set this up. They had details on a few games in progress on the left, but the rest of the scores all the time in the middle, and a very informative ticker along the bottom with news about the day's games.

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Looking out across some of the surroundings out the third base side from the ramps to the upper deck. The Metrolink station is right next to the park below. There's an old industrial warehouse area off to the first base side

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The view from the upper deck. The arch is very prominent from up here. Great job incorporating St. Louis' most recognizable feature into the park. The arch design in the upper deck isn't quite as obvious as Busch II, but it was still nice

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marlins739

08-20-2009, 07:42 AM

Field view from the upper deck in line with the first base line. I've been in comparable seats at Pac Bell, and you feel closer at Busch than in San Francisco

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The Bud Light ad from close up. It's barely noticeable from the seats, but again, it's the arch view that counts. It took some balls on the part of the Cardinals management to take out a couple hundred seats for an ad though

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Upper deck concourse behind the main part before the Hardee's area, which I didn't like until I got up there. It's a nice standing room plaza which again took plenty of balls from the Cardinals to take out that many seats for a team which routinely draws 40,000. The Cardinals have the best fans in baseball, hands down. They love their team in St. Louis or in Jupiter, where they come out in droves every spring dressed in red, filling up Roger Dean for every game, Marlins too

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The Hardee's plaza. It's really bright up there being so close to the light banks. The upper concourse ends right behind where I am and you have to go down a level to get to the rest of the upper deck in left

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View from right before the second section of the upper deck begins. These aren't bad seats either, even the nosebleeds here are good

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marlins739

08-20-2009, 07:52 AM

The upper concourse behind the left field corner gate. Plenty of places around here to sit down and eat. They really have improved the idea of modern concourse areas a lot since The Ballpark in Arlington. This place is obviously newer than Arlington, and has learned from the shortcomings of the earlier retro parks.

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Looking down onto the outfield concourse from the staircases at the end of the left field upper deck. This was a cool standing room area that was packed the entire time. You can see how the street level is above the main concourse here. The concourse slopes down about 10 feet behind the infield, and it's still a good 15 feet above street level behind the plate. They built the outfield into the side of a hill, the opposite of Dodger Stadium.

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The grandstand from the same place. They sure do pull off the red seat look here much better than at GABP. It works very well with the darker red, the black armrests, and the black steel and red bricks everywhere else. Also, the exposed concrete is painted over with dark green. It looks great

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Night shot behind the plate. Just the right amount of lighting here, not blinding like PNC

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The plaque in left field showing the overlap with old Busch Stadium II. The white line in the lower left is the Busch foul line, and the outfield fence is marked with a green line further down the concourse

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marlins739

08-20-2009, 08:05 AM

Concourse time. I have to think that Busch III was inspired in part by Roger Dean Stadium in this area. There are some elements that are almost identical. The dark colored concrete block walls in the concourse are similar to the ones at Roger Dean, with similar horizontal color line breaks. The fact that the concourse isn't open to the field reminds me of Roger Dean too. And finally, the Coca Cola party deck in center field mirrors a nearly identical party deck in the right field corner at the Dean. It makes sense too: both stadiums are unconditionally loved by Cardinals fans. I can't imagine they would have bucked the trend and gone for a closed concourse without trying it out first and seeing how well it works at Roger Dean, which opened in 1998 and is an HOK park like Busch III. Neither park breaks any new ground architecturally, but both put the focus on the game very nicely and work well for the droves of Cardinals fans pouring in.

The Ford Plaza area is behind center field and isn't really visible from the rest of the park. It has the obligatory kids' batting cages and the like. There's a video screen (horrible, almost unwatchable video quality) showing the live game feed back there

75159

Inside the right field corner. It feems very roomy back here. It's hard to explain, but the concourse areas look like everything else in St. Louis. Unlike some other brick parks, this one fits extremely well into its surroundings, and really does look old in some spots. There's a nice Budweiser billboard and an all-star logo back here that didn't come out so well in the picture

75160

The scoreboards from Busch II are on the first base side the way they appeared when the final out was recorded there. They have the AL and NL scoreboards, and the line score from the game, in which the Cardinals beat the Reds. Happy to see the Marlins won that day

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Main concourse, first base side.

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Third base side, where it slopes down. Again, this is about twice as wide as Arlington, and there's no dead space outside the columns to speak of.

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marlins739

08-20-2009, 08:15 AM

Night shot from the top of the parking garage

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From the right field seats. Nice and close.

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Finally, the courthouse from the top of the arch.

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So that's it for Busch Stadium. Cardinals fans deserve a place as nice as this, and even though it doesn't have the PNC skyline view, or the warehouse, or any of that, it makes excellent use of the arch and it's a very nice place to watch a game from any angle. It'll serve the Cardinals well for a long time. Personal top 10 ballpark.