Cards request glove, baseball donations at fanfest

ST. LOUIS -- Inspired by the Gloves 4 Troops initiative spearheaded by Minor League infielder Vance Albitz, the Cardinals are asking fans to donate gently used baseball gloves and baseballs during this weekend's Winter Warm-Up event.

Albitz, as recently documented in this MLB.com story, organized a glove and baseball drive this winter after reading an account from a soldier requesting baseball equipment be donated to military members serving overseas.

Albitz said he would like to collect at least one thousand gloves and baseballs before Spring Training. The Cardinals are hopeful that advertising a glove drive at the organization's Winter Warm-Up can spur Albitz toward that goal. Albitz, who ended the 2012 season with Triple-A Memphis, has, on his own, already collected more than 200 gloves.

Collection bins will be set out around the Hyatt Regency St. Louis at the Arch, which is hosting the three-day baseball event. More information about Albitz's project can be found on his website: www.gloves4troops.com.

Tickets for the Winter Warm-Up remain available for purchase at cardinals.com/winterwarmup. The event runs from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. CT on Saturday and Sunday. Monday's activities conclude at 3 p.m. A full schedule of specific event times and autograph sessions can be found at cardinals.com/winterwarmup. Autograph tickets remain on sale for select player sessions.