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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Two other uses|the current sports venue in ], ] that opened in 2006|the stadium in St. Louis that operated from 1966 to 2005|Busch Memorial Stadium|the ballpark known as "Busch Stadium" from 1953 to 1966|Sportsman's Park}}<!--{{dablink|"Busch Stadium" has been the name for three different sports venues in. For information on the others, see ].}}--> {{Distinguish|Bush Stadium}}

{{Infobox stadium
| stadium_name = Busch Stadium
| nickname = ''Busch Stadium III''
| logo_image = ]
| image = ]
| location = 700 Clark Street<br>] 63102
| coordinates = {{coord|38|37|21|N|90|11|35|W|type:landmark|display=it}}
| broke_ground = January 17, 2004
| opened = April 4, 2006 (] exhibition)<BR>April 10, 2006 (])
| closed =
| demolished =
| owner = ]
| operator = ]<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Muret|first1=Don|title=Another round of Busch for St. Louis|journal=SportsBusiness Journal|publisher=Street & Smith's|date=April 17, 2006|url=http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/04/20060417/This-Weeks-News/Another-Round-Of-Busch-For-St-Louis.aspx}}</ref>
| surface = Kentucky Bluegrass
| construction_cost = ]365 million<ref> '']''</ref><ref name="Ballparks by Munsey and Suppes"></ref><br>(${{formatprice|{{Inflation|US|365000000|2006}}}} in {{CURRENTYEAR}} dollars{{inflation-fn|US}})
| architect = ] (formerly HOK Sport)<br>Kennedy Associates/Architects Inc.<ref></ref>
| project_manager = Clayco Corp.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.claycorp.com/p/8215/new-busch-stadium/|title=New Busch Stadium|year=2006|work=Projects|publisher=Clayco|accessdate=November 4, 2011}}</ref>
| structural engineer = Bliss and Nyitray, Inc.
| services engineer = M-E Engineers, Inc.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.me-engineers.com/projects/?office=global&category=professional_stadiums|title=Projects: Srofessional Sports Stadiums|year=2006|work=me-engineers.com|publisher=M-E Engineers, Inc.|accessdate=March 9, 2011}}</ref>
| general_contractor = Hunt/Kwame<ref></ref>
| former_names =
| tenants = ] (]) (2006–present)
| seating_capacity = 43,975<br>46,861 (with standing room)<ref> St. Louis Cardinals Press Release, April 28, 2006.</ref>
| record_attendance = 48,263 ] vs ] (3-4)<ref></ref> <br>Baseball: 47,492 (April 7, 2014) Cardinals vs ]<ref></ref>
| dimensions = '''Left Field''' — {{Convert|336|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Left Center Field''' — {{Convert|375|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Center Field''' — {{Convert|400|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Right Center Field''' — {{Convert|375|ft|m|0}}<br>'''Right Field''' — {{Convert|335|ft|m|0}}
| publictransit = ]: ]
}}
'''Busch Stadium''' (also referred to informally as "'''New Busch Stadium'''" or "'''Busch Stadium III'''") is the home of the ], of ]. The stadium has a seating capacity of 43,975, and contains 3,706 club seats and 61 luxury suites. It replaced ] and occupies a portion of that stadium's former footprint. A commercial area, dubbed ], was built adjacent to the stadium over the remainder of the former stadium's footprint.

The ] opened on April 4, 2006 with an exhibition between the ] ] and ], both affiliates of the St. Louis Cardinals, which Springfield won 5-3 with right-hander Mike Parisi recording the first win. The first official major league game occurred on April 10, 2006 as the Cardinals defeated the ] 6&ndash;4 behind an ] home run and winning pitcher ].

The highest attendance for a sports event was on May 23, 2013 when 48,263 people watched ] and ] play a friendly match.<ref>CBSSports.com, PHOTO: Busch Stadium as a soccer venue, May 24, 2013, http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/blog/eye-on-baseball/22295758/photo-busch-stadium-as-a-soccer-venue</ref>

The stadium is the third stadium in ] to carry the name Busch Stadium. ] was renamed Busch Stadium in 1953, after team owner ]. The first Busch closed in 1966, and both the baseball Cardinals, and the ] ] moved to a new ], named ]. However, the current stadium is actually a corporate name and named after ], not Gussie Busch. The naming rights deal was signed in 2004 and would extend from the stadium's opening in 2006 until 2026.<ref></ref>

==History==

===Planning===
]
In 1995, St. Louis Cardinals team ownership began to lobby for a new ballpark in ], but the team was unable to acquire funding for the project for several years. In June 2001, the ] state government signed a contract with the team, proposing a ballpark in downtown St. Louis, but a subsequent funding bill was struck down in May 2002, leaving the saga open.<ref> article regarding funding and construction of the stadium</ref><ref>"New plan calls for $333 million stadium, plus Ballpark Village complex," '']'', September 25, {{subst:year when|2002|baseball}},</ref> Team owners sought a location near ], adjacent to ], until the city of St. Louis drafted a financing plan for the team to construct the new stadium in downtown St. Louis.<ref>"Cardinals looking at site near Gateway Raceway," '']'', August 16, {{subst:year when|2002|baseball}}.</ref> The stadium was financed through private bonds, bank loans, a long-term loan from St. Louis County, and money from the team owners. The development, including the Ballpark Village was projected to cost approximately $665 million with the stadium alone costing $365 million.<ref name="Ballparks by Munsey and Suppes"/>

===Construction and opening===
]
New Busch Stadium was designed by ] (then known as HOK Sport) and built by Hunt Construction with an estimated cost of $344.8 million, which proved too low by $20.2 mil. to its final cost of $365 mil.<ref name = "Ballparks by Munsey and Suppes" /> HOK's senior project designer for Busch Stadium was Jim Chibnall, who was also the lead designer of ] in Cleveland, ] in Pittsburgh, ] and other notable stadiums throughout the world.<ref>{{cite news |title=Q&A With The Architect: 'It's Not Totally Retro'|first=David|last=Bonetti|url=http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/buschstadium/story/A7667BEBFE76E5F1862571490021E95D?OpenDocument|newspaper=]|date=April 6, 2006}}</ref>

The field level (16,880 seats), terrace level (9,150), and bleachers (3,661) were completed in time for opening day, with total capacity on that day of 37,962, not including up to 2,751 standing room tickets.<ref name="opening day capacity">{{cite web |url=http://www.baseballchronology.com/Baseball/Stadiums/Recent/StLouis_New_Busch_Stadium.asp|title=New Busch Stadium: Baseball Chronology|publisher=BaseballChronology.com|accessdate=February 25, 2009}}</ref> An integrated LED video and scoring system from ] was installed in the stadium prior to its opening, featuring a video display measuring 32 feet high by 52 feet wide and three message displays, as well as more than 100 feet of digital ribbon board technology.<ref name = system>{{cite web |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-143244758.html|title=Article: Daktronics Announces 2006 Major League and Minor League Baseball Projects}}</ref>

Construction on the seating area was completed in late May increasing the capacity for the May 29, 2006 game vs the ] with finishing touches performed throughout the year.<ref name="opening day capacity" /> Including all 2,886 standing-room-only tickets for the general public and the suites and party rooms, the stadium's total capacity is 46,861. Natural grass turf was installed in March 2006.<ref name="opening day capacity" />
] in May 2013.]]

==Notable baseball events==
In the stadium's debut season every Cardinal game was sold out, giving a total attendance of 3,407,104 for the season, the second-largest in team history,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261001124|title=Cards lose, Become NL Central Champ With Worst Record|work=]|accessdate=October 1, 2006}}</ref> but since surpassed in both 2007 and 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/teams/cardatte.shtml|title=St. Louis Cardinals Attendance Records|publisher=Baseball-Almanac.com|accessdate=February 25, 2009}}</ref>

===Playoffs===

====2006====
In the first season of the new stadium, the Cardinals beat the Detroit Tigers in 5 games to capture their 10th World Series title.

====2009====
Busch Stadium hosted only one postseason game in 2009, a 5–1 loss versus the ] on October 10, to complete a sweep of the Cardinals.
]

====2011====
In 2011, Busch Stadium hosted two postseason games in the National League Division Series versus the Philadelphia Phillies. On October 4, the Phillies won 3–2, to take a 2–1 game lead over the Cardinals. The next night, the 5th, the Cardinals beat the Phillies 5–3 to tie the series at 2 games apiece. In the NLCS versus the Milwaukee Brewers, the Cardinals won 2 of the three games they played at home (Games 3, 4, 5). The Cards ended up winning the series on the road in Milwaukee to advance to the World Series.

Because the National League had won the ], ] went to the Cardinals as the National League champions, thus allowing the team to host the ] for Games 1, 2, 6 and 7. Game 1 was won by the Cardinals on October 19, along with Game 6 on October 27, in a game won in ] fashion by a ] home run, then the deciding Game 7, which was taken by the Cardinals in a 6-2 final, giving the team the 2011 World Series title.

====2012====
Busch Stadium hosted two postseason games vs. the ] in the 2012 National League Division Series. The two teams split the two games at Busch, before the Cardinals won two of the next three games at ]. The Cardinals then won the first two home games against the ] to take a 3–1 series lead, but lost Game 5 and went on to lose the series in Game 7 at ].

====2013====
The Cardinals hosted nine postseason games at Busch Stadium in 2013. In the National League Division Series, they won Games 1 and 5 against the ], with the latter game capping off a series comeback after trailing 2–1. They would win every home game of the NLCS against the Dodgers, including a 9–0 shutout win in Game 6 to take the series 4–2. In the World Series, the Cardinals hosted Games 3–5 against the ]. Game 3 on October 26 ended in an ] call when ] was impeded by ] at third base, thus awarding him a run after umpire ] ruled obstruction on the play. The next night Game 4 ended on a successful ] by ] on pinch-runner ] at first base. The Cardinals led 2–1 after the controversial Game 3 win, but proceeded to lose the next three games to lose the series 4–2.

===MLB All-Star Game===
The stadium hosted the ] on July 14, 2009. The ] defeated the ] in that game, 4-3. ] outfielder ] won MVP. ] ] threw out the ceremonial first pitch wearing a ] jacket.

===College and high school baseball===
] has recently started to play one game a year at Busch. In 2009, they defeated ], and in 2010, they defeated ] in a ] matchup.

The Cardinals have allowed local high school teams to play each other on the field following select weekend afternoon games. So far, the only home run hit by a high school student was on May 7, 2011 by Johnny Wilson of ] against ].{{citation needed|date=May 2013}}

==Other sports==

===College football===
] and ] played each other in the first ever football game at Busch Stadium on September 21, 2013 in front of a crowd of 14,618.

===Professional soccer===
Busch Stadium hosted a ] on May 23, 2013 between ] and ] of the English ].<ref name="Premier">{{cite web |url=http://www.stltoday.com/sports/other/english-premier-league-soccer-coming-to-busch-stadium/article_994ba434-9ed8-5852-a8b0-83c3300f2ea5.html l |title=English Premier League soccer coming to Busch |publisher=stltoday.com |date=March 29, 2013}}</ref> Tickets for the match sold out within 20 minutes of going on sale,<ref>Daily Mail Online, Hottest ticket in St Louis! City v Chelsea's post-season friendly sells out in 20 minutes, April 3, 2013, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2303572/Chelsea-Manchester-City-USA-friendly-sells-20-minutes.html</ref> and Manchester City won 4-3 in front of an enthusiastic standing-room crowd of 48,263.<ref>CBS St. Louis, Manchester City Tops Chelsea in Busch Stadium Thriller, May 23, 2013, http://stlouis.cbslocal.com/2013/05/23/manchester-city-tops-chelsea-in-busch-stadium-thriller/</ref> Later that year on November 18, Busch hosted a friendly between ] and ]; before a crowd of more than 30,000, many of which were members of St. Louis' large ] community, Argentina beat B&H by a score of 2-0, with ] scoring both goals.

===Concerts===
On June 7, 2008, the stadium hosted its first-ever concert, with ] playing to a crowd of approximately 35,000, with ] as their opening act. The show was recorded and later released as a live album, entitled ''Live Trax Vol. 13''.

On June 24, 2010, the stadium again hosted a concert, with ] headlining a show, along with The ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Eagles Deliver Timeless Tunes at Busch Stadium|first=Kevin C.|last=Johnson|url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/reviews/article_b9a9aa6c-806f-11df-ab01-00127992bc8b.html|newspaper=]|date=June 25, 2010|accessdate=June 26, 2010}}</ref>

On July 17, 2011, the stadium hosted its third concert, when ] came to town during their ].<ref>{{cite news |title=U2 Bringing 360° Tour to Busch Stadium|first=Kevin C.|last=Johnson|url=http://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/music/kevin-johnson/article_6c45d4dc-e567-11df-a891-0017a4a78c22.html|newspaper=]|date=November 1, 2010|accessdate=November 2, 2010}}</ref>

=="Fredbird" store==
]
{{main|Fredbird}}
The ballpark features a ] for the Cardinals' mascot, ].

==Features==
]

===Design===
Whereas the old stadium was a fully enclosed "]" facility similar to ], ], ] and ] stadiums, the new stadium is similar to the many other HOK designed "retro-classic" fields. Like all those, it offers a panoramic view of the downtown skyline.

The Gate 3 entrance on the west side of the stadium is most iconic, with a large "bridge" resembling the ] arching over the entrance. The exterior of the stadium contains historical plaques of Cardinals logos, the STL insignia and a Busch Stadium logo behind home plate.

===Statues===
Outside the Gate 3 entrance stands a bronze statue of Cardinals legend ]. Other Cardinals statues that previously surrounded Busch Memorial Stadium are now displayed at the corner of Clark and Eighth streets, outside the Cardinals' team store. The statues are of former Cardinal players and ] inductees ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]; former ] player and ] inductee ]; former ] ] player and ] inductee ]; and former Cardinals radio broadcaster and ] honoree ].

===Concessions===
Fans at the stadium have access to a large amount of food and drink options, ranging from standard ballpark fare like bratwurst, nachos and peanuts to St Louis-area favorites such as ] sandwiches and ]. Budweiser holds the beer contract for the stadium as one would expect, but most recently the smaller ] has been making inroads, selling Schlafly beer in bottles at a growing number of concession stands. Tickets for five all-inclusive areas are sold on a single game basis, with amenities running the gamut from the ritzy Champions Club (offering a multiple-course buffet, plasma televisions, a chance to get on television or radio as a broadcast booth is located inside the club, and a full bar) to the more family-oriented Scoreboard Patio (with table seating for four in center field and a more traditional selection of food). Cardinal management also allows outside food and drink (including soft-sided drink coolers); as a result, it is not uncommon to see vendors selling discounted bags of peanuts and bottles of soda and water, or even scalpers including a box of ] with tickets.

===Press accommodations===
After '']'' sportswriter ] was honored with the ] and induction into the ] in 2007, the Cardinals renamed the stadium's press box the "]-Rick Hummel Press Box", honoring the two local writers enshrined in ].

===Ballpark Village===
] is a multi-phase residential and entertainment complex project under construction on the site of the former Busch Memorial Stadium across the street from the new ballpark. Despite several years of delays, groundbreaking occurred in February 2013 and the first phase was completed in time for Opening Day 2014.

===Other modifications===
During a weather incident during a July 2006 game vs the ], portable concession stands were knocked over, the infield rain tarp was damaged, and plastic sheets used to protect the press box were dislodged. As a result of the storm at least thirty spectators were injured, of whom five were taken to the hospital.<ref> from ESPN.com</ref> After the storm happened, the stadium designated shelter areas for such disasters which are located throughout the ballpark.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stubpass.com/venue/busch-stadium-wiki|title=Busch Stadium Wiki Information|publisher=StubPass.com|accessdate=February 25, 2009}}</ref>

Following ]'s face injury on August 31, 2007, workers extended the screen from dugout to dugout during the 2007-2008 off season.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/04/20/sports/BASE.1-259399.php|title=When Foul Balls Become Lethal Projectiles, Fans Are Mostly Unprotected|newspaper=]|date=April 20, 2008|accessdate=February 25, 2009}}</ref>
]

==Regular season home attendance==
{| cellpadding="10"
|- style="text-align:left; vertical-align:top;"
|
|
{| cellpadding="1" style="width:300px; font-size:90%; border:2px solid #C41E3A;"
|- style="text-align:center; font-size:larger;"
| colspan=5 | Home Attendance at Busch Stadium'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml |title=St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums, and Park Factors |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |accessdate=December 13, 2012}}</ref>
|- style="background:#C41E3A;color:white;"
| '''Year''' || '''Total attendance''' || '''Game average''' || '''League rank'''
|-
| ]
| 3,407,104
| 42,589
| 2nd
|-
| ]
| 3,552,180
| 43,854
| 3rd
|-
| ]
| 3,432,917
| 42,382
| 3rd
|-
| ]
| 3,343,252
| 41,275
| 3rd
|-
| ]
| 3,301,218
| 40,756
| 3rd
|-
| ]
| 3,093,954
| 38,197
| 3rd
|-
| ]
| 3,262,109
| 40,273
| 4th
|-
| ]
| 3,369,769
| 41,602
| 2nd
|}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|33em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*
{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sta|et}}}}
{{succession box
| title = Home of the<br>]
| years = 2006 &ndash; present
| before = ]
| after = Current
}}
{{succession box
| title = Host of the<br>]
| years = ]
| before = ]
| after = ]
}}
{{s-end}}
{{St. Louis Cardinals}}
{{MLB Ballparks}}
{{Retro-classic baseball parks}}

]
]
]
]
]

Revision as of 15:17, 7 May 2014

Hi Danny how you doing