By DeJuan Baskin
The Scene staff
Opening Day is not a holiday, but true Cardinals fans celebrate like it is.
Thousands of baseball fans flood Busch Stadium in downtown St. Louis every year to create what has been locally nicknamed the “Red Sea.” This year the Red Sea has broken the levees of Busch Stadium and spilled into the new Ballpark Village directly across the street.
On Opening Day last week, with the Cardinals playing in Cincinnati, fans enjoyed the game in the newly developed, $100 million first phase of Ballpark Village.
“Ballpark Village is amazing,” said Jimmy Bernhard, a CBS radio technician. “The bull-riding bar is cool. Prices are steep, but I like the uniforms.”
Some of the most noticeable features at Ballpark Village include Cardinals Nation, a four-level venue with a two-story restaurant and bar; the Cardinals Hall-of-Fame and Museum, a retail store featuring game-used memorabilia; a 334-seat rooftop deck overlooking Busch Stadium from the outfield; and the FOX Sports Midwest Live studio, a central gathering place of Ballpark Village.
“No plans have yet been announced for the next phase of the project,” said Aja Williams, web producer for ksdk.com.
How much of a big deal is Opening Day in St. Louis for Cardinals fans?
Four of the past five years has seen more than 40,000 fans in the seats for Opening Day, according to sports-reference.com. Three of those four saw more than 45,000, and last year totaled 48,023.
“I cover the event for News Channel 5, and it’s a nightmare trying to shoot a story and maneuver through 50,000 fans,” said Tom Herman, KSDK photographer.
Herman said fans describe opening day as a “uniquely adventurous and fun experience” and that young kids and old kids of all ages come together in the magical atmosphere. “It’s always a great show,” Herman added.
When attending Opening Day, the air is filled with grilled food, beer and the occasional, “Whoo hooo! Go Cardinals!”
“I’m not really into baseball,” said Jeanie Smith, assignment editor for KSDK. “It’s just fun to go out and wear my Cardinal red, eat a hot dog, drink a beer and take pictures.”
St. Louis Cardinals are favored to finish first in the National League Central Division this year after making it to the World Series last season and falling to the Boston Red Sox.
They have also added new faces to the line-up this season in infielder Jhonny Peralta, pitcher Pat Neshek and outfielder Peter Bourjos.
“They’re going to win,” said Bernhard.
Opening Day in St. Louis is April 7 versus the Cincinnati Reds. Tickets range from $130.80 for the right/left field pavilion to $300.80 for the UMB Champions Club and Diamond box seats.
Busch Stadium is expected to host 50,000 eager fans forming the “Red Sea,” waiting to hear two of the most famous words in baseball history, “PLAY BALL!”