TOUR: Busch Stadium is in league of its own

This photo from the upper deck behind home plate not only gives fans a
great view the entire ballpark of Busch Stadium in St. Louis, but a fantastic
glimpse of the city as a backdrop. (Photo by John Krueger)

ST. LOUIS, Missouri -- There is no doubt that the 'new' Busch Stadium here in downtown St. Louis not only has something for everybody, but was very well thought out as it possesses many qualities that make it one of the greatest sports venues in professional sports.

Opened on April 10, 2006, the 46,000-seat stadium built next to the site of the old stadium and within a stone's throw of Interstates 64 and 70, not only gives fans easy access as they travel to the 'Gateway to the West' city, but one they can be proud of.

The stadium has already been the host of the 80th Major League Baseball All-Star Game in July 2009. The franchise also became the first in almost 100 years to win a World Series Championship in the inaugural season of a new ballpark when the Cards accomplished that fete in the fall of 2006.

The groundbreaking of the stadium took place on Jan. 17, 2004 and just over two years later the grass was installed on the field. The first game came against the Milwaukee Brewers and the first home run was hit by Albert Pujols in the third inning of the first game.

Parking in respect to the facility is super - expensive, but super. With several parking garages and a large parking lot located just a few blocks from the stadium, it allows even late arriving fans easy access and quick entry to the ballpark.

There is truly not a bad seat in the house. Even the upper deck has a great site view of every angle of the field. And with the stadium facing east, fans can enjoy a shaded spot on sunny afternoon after just a few innings. And that says nothing for the picturesque view of the Gateway Arch and the city skyline in the background.

Major League Baseball is a big business, and St. Louis is no exception. In one year, workers at Busch Stadium sell 540,000 hot dogs, 181,000 pounds of nacho chips and 32,000 gallons of nacho cheese, according to the team's web site.There are several new attractions in 2010 to make a trip to the ballpark more enjoyable for fans, according to the organization. A few of them include: 

• Credit and debit cards are now accepted at all concession stands, including portables.
• The Cardinals have launched Cards Cash, a convenient affordable value that allows fans to store money on a game ticket bar code to be used for purchases throughout the ballpark. (Fans can add $12 Cards Cash to their ticket for just $10).
• The team's Party Suites now include a full-catered buffet with the price of a ticket. The catered suites include Hunter Hot Dogs, BBQ beef, chicken breasts, nachos, baked beans, beer and soda at no additional cost.
• From a retail perspective, fans will find more souvenir items priced under $12, as well as a new NIKE/Haddad children's kiosk on the concourse near Ford Plaza, a new dynamic customized jersey-making experience at Fans' Nest.
• On the culinary front, fans will find the concessions menu infused with a variety of St. Louis-inspired creations, including: hand-rolled Mama Toscano's Toasted Ravioli (at Dizzy's Diner locations); the first-ever "St Louis BBQ Bacon Dog,"(in the Redbird Club); Waffles Supreme and Cherokee Street Tacos (Gate 1).
• The team is also launching a Fan Texting System to give fans a discreet, instant way to alert stadium personnel of guest services issues by sending a quick text message.

A few other 'fun facts' of the organization include:

• The Cardinals were founded in 1882 as an American Association Team called the St. Louis Brown Stockings. In 1892, the team moved to the National League and changed the team name to the St. Louis Browns. In 1899, the name was changed to the Perfectos, and in 1900, the name was changed to its existing title, the St. Louis Cardinals.
• From 1902-1954, an American League Team called the St. Louis Browns also played in St. Louis. In 1954, they moved to Baltimore and became the Baltimore Orioles.
• The Cardinals have won over 9,200 games, 10 World Series Championships, 17 National League Pennants, 3 National League Eastern Division Titles, and 8 National League Central Division Titles.
• There are over 40 former Cardinal players and managers enshrined in the National Baseball Hall of Fame Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
• The Cardinals bring more than 3 million fans downtown each year, with more than a million coming from outside of the state of Missouri. In 2009, the Cardinals drew 3.343 million fans, with 49 sellout games - ranking 4th in MLB in terms of ticket sales.
• Over 90% of fans attending Cardinals games come from outside of the City of St. Louis.
• There are approximately 3,000 day-of-game employees at Busch Stadium.
• The St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association (RCGA) estimates that the economic impact of the 2010 Cardinals' season on the St. Louis region will exceed $306.2 million, with an estimated $151.9 million this year in direct impact and $154.3 million in in-direct regional economic activity.

It is a storied organization with much to be proud of and its stadium is just one of those facts. It's definitely a trip worth taking to see a great baseball team at a fantastic sports venue.