FOX Sports Midwest and Cardinals Radio Network broadcasts to host charitable auction during July 8thGame
ST. LOUIS, MO (July 3, 2014) – The St. Louis Cardinals have teamed up with FOX Sports Midwest and the Cardinals Radio Network to raise money for Cardinals Care by auctioning off exclusive, one-of-a-kind experiences for Cardinals fans during the game broadcast on Tuesday, July 8, 2014, when the Cardinals take on the division rival Pittsburgh Pirates.
This year’s auction includes many unique items for Cardinals fans to bid on, including a Mike Matheny VIP experience, the chance to shadow Mike Shannon and John Rooney, a Jim Edmonds & FOX Sports Midwest experience, the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch during the Ultimate Day at Busch, a VIP camper experience at the 2015 Fantasy Camp, and the chance to play catch on the field with Cardinals pitcher Michael Wacha.
Bidding begins with the first pitch of the July 8th game and continues through the seventh inning. Fans may place a bid by calling 314.345.9418 or see a full listing of auction items at cardinals.com/auction14.
New this year, fans can support the charitable work of Cardinals Care by purchasing a Wacha Fan Pack during the auction. Each fan pack comes with a Michael Wacha 2013 National League Championship Series MVP Bobblehead, a replica 2013 National League Champions Ring, and a 2014 ticket voucher good for two tickets to a regular season home game. Wacha Fan Packs will be available on July 8th from first pitch until midnight at cardinals.com/auction14 for $99.99. Proceeds benefit Cardinals Care.
“We created the Wacha Fan Pack to allow more fans to take home something truly special for their generous support of Cardinals Care,” said Michael Hall, Vice President of Community Relations and Executive Director of Cardinals Care. “This event is a very rewarding way for fans to team up with the Cardinals to make a real difference in the lives children in our community.”
General donations to Cardinals Care will also gladly be accepted during the auction at 314.345.9418, or by donating online at cardinals.com/donate.
The July 8th auction is the third Cardinals auction with FOX Sports Midwest and the Cardinals Radio Network. The broadcast partners first teamed together in summer of 2011 to support Cardinals Care and the Joplin Relief Fund. Together they raised over $100,000 for Joplin through the first-ever broadcast auction of once-in-a-lifetime Cardinals experiences. Last year’s auction brought in over $87,000 for Cardinals Care.
Cardinals Care was established to give fans a way of teaming up with Cardinals players and the organization to help children in our community – both on and off the baseball field. Since it was established in 1997, Cardinals Care has distributed nearly $20 million to support St. Louis area non-profit youth organizations and built 21 youth ball fields in local disadvantaged neighborhoods. 2014 marks the 11th year of Cardinals Care’s innovative Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball league for kids who otherwise might not have the opportunity to play. In addition to providing all the uniforms, gloves, bats, balls and other equipment needed for each team, Redbird Rookies also provides extensive off-field support in the areas of health, education, mentoring and the cultural arts for each of the nearly 4,500 kids who participate in the program each year.
Broadcast Auction Items Benefitting Cardinals Care
Presented by FOX Sports Midwest and KMOX
- JIM EDMONDS & FOX SPORTS VIP EXPERIENCE
An exclusive experience for four (4) people
- Shadow FOX Sports Midwest’s Jim Hayes on field during batting practice
- Visit to the FOX Sports Midwest Broadcast Booth at Busch Stadium and meet on-air personalities
- Watch the game from the private Branch Rickey Room on the 2nd level of Cardinals Nation, includes food & beverages (16 people)
- Visit/Tour the FOX Sports Midwest Live! Set at Ballpark Village
- Exclusive visit from Jim Edmonds in the Branch Rickey Room to watch the game with your group for two (2) innings
- Visit from FOX Sports Midwest Live! on-air personalities during the game
- Mutually Agreeable Date
- MIKE SHANNON & JOHN ROONEY EXPERIENCE
An exclusive experience for four (4) people
- Join Mike Shannon during his pre-game interview with Mike Matheny
- Watch batting practice from cage with John Rooney
- Visit to the Cardinals dugout before the game
- Professional photograph with Shannon and Rooney
- Spend two (2) innings in the KMOX broadcast booth
- Four (4) Field Box Tickets
- VIP table for Live at Shannon’s after the game
- One-night stay at Hyatt Regency St. Louis (includes two (2) rooms)
- Mutually Agreeable Date
- MIKE MATHENY VIP EXPERIENCE
An exclusive experience for four (4) people
- Pre-game meet and greet in Matheny’s office
- Watch Matheny’s pre-game press meeting in Matheny’s office
- Discuss strategy and starting line-up with Matheny
- Watch batting practice from a VIP area behind home plate
- Dinner for four (4) in the Cardinals Club
- VIP Parking (one (1) vehicle)
- Four (4) Field Box Tickets
- One-night stay at Hyatt Regency St. Louis (includes two (2) rooms)
- Mutually Agreeable Date
- CATCH ON THE FIELD WITH MICHAEL WACHA
An exclusive experience for two (2) youth (age 15 or under); two (2) guests will accompany
- Two (2) youth (age 15 or under) will play catch with Michael Wacha
- All four (4) attendees will receive an autographed baseball from Michael Wacha
- All four (4) attendees will receive a behind the scenes tour of the Cardinals Clubhouse
- Four (4) Field Box Tickets
- Mutually Agreeable Date
In the event Wacha is unable to play catch, he will still be present for the experience but another Cardinal (TBD) will play catch in his place
- 2015 CARDINALS FANTASY CAMP—MVP CAMPER VIP EXPERIENCE
For one (1) person; Sold-Out Camp
- January 7-11, 2015
- Roundtrip Airfare provided
- 5 days/4 nights single room accommodations at the Marriott Palm Beach Gardens
- Private instructional session with the Cardinal Legends and Hall of Famers
- Private Meet & Greet luncheon with the Hall of Famers on Wednesday
- Cardinal apparel provided including: home white uniform – authentic jersey and pants, red batting practice jersey, authentic Cardinals sweatshirt, belt, socks, and hat (You must provide your own glove, rubber cleats, and other personal items)
- One 5-inning game against a full St. Louis Cardinals Legends team
- A “Camp Reunion” with All-Inclusive Party Suite tickets to a 2015 regular season Cardinals game (TBD).
- Pre-game, on-field ceremony/recognition at the “Camp Reunion” Cardinals game
- 8 x 10 Photo with the St. Louis Cardinals Legends
- For all of the details of this experience go to cardinals.com/fantasycamp
- ULTIMATE DAY AT BUSCH STADIUM
An exclusive experience for four (4) people
- Pre-game VIP tour of the Cardinals Clubhouse
- Play catch on the field before the game
- Watch batting practice from a VIP area behind home plate
- Professional photograph in the Cardinals dugout
- Pre-game ceremony which includes one honorary pitch and professional photograph
- One (1) framed 2013 Replica National League All-Star Jersey authenticated and signed by Matt Carpenter, Allen Craig, Matt Holliday and Yadier Molina
- Four (4) Field Box tickets
- One-night stay at the Hyatt Regency St. Louis (includes two (2) rooms)
- Mutually Agreeable Date
