For the third consecutive season, Cardinals fans can live the ultimate baseball dream as the St. Louis Cardinals Fantasy Camp comes to Busch Stadium from June 23-26. Presented by Mercy and the Westin-St. Louis, the three-day camp gives fans the opportunity to play alongside former Redbirds like Brian Jordan, Rick Ankiel and Jason Isringhausen, be drafted and managed by Cardinals legends including Willie McGee, and interact with Redbirds luminaries such as Tony La Russa and Jim Edmonds. The Busch Stadium camp has proven to be a popular addition to the yearly Cardinals Fantasy Camps held at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla., dating back to 2001.
"The Busch Stadium Fantasy Camp experience is like no other in sports and is more popular each year," said Joe Pfeiffer, Cardinals Fantasy Camp Director. "Campers suit up in a personalized uniform at their own locker at Busch Stadium, select their own walk-up music and play baseball on the Busch Stadium field alongside living legends; it doesn't get much better."
Throughout the four-day camp, the 44 campers will live the life of a Major Leaguer, receiving instruction from some of the best in baseball and playing four games under the management of a former Cardinal. All four team rosters, managed by McGee, Dave LaPoint, Tom Pagnozzi and Alan Benes, will be determined by a draft, with the former Cardinals/team managers selecting their players. Two former Cardinals will also be drafted onto each roster and will play alongside the rest of the team. Former Cardinals playing alongside the campers include Ankiel, Gary Bennett, Scott Cooper, Tyler Greene, Isringhausen, Jordan, Kyle McClellan and Brad Thompson.
All campers will dress in authentic, personalized Cardinals uniforms and use a customized locker in the visitors' locker room at Busch Stadium during the round-robin tournament. At the end of the weekend, one team will be crowned Fantasy Camp Champions and receive Fantasy Camp championship rings.
Additional perks include special autograph and photo sessions, behind-the-scenes "chalk talks," and two special dinner events. The first dinner on Friday, June 24th celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Cardinals' 2006 World Series championship team with a panel that includes Hall of Fame Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. The following night, the dinner will feature memories from members of the 1996 Cardinals, the first Redbirds squad to win the National League Central Division title. Tom Ackerman of KMOX 1120 AM, the Cardinals' flagship radio station, will serve as master of ceremonies for both dinners. Andy Benes serves as Fantasy Camp Commissioner, leading the camp along with Scott Terry.
A portion of the net proceeds from Cardinals Fantasy Camps benefit the Cardinals Kids Cancer Center at Mercy. For more information or to register for camp, fans can visit cardinals.com/fantasycamp or email [email protected]. Campers must be 27 years of age or older.