Mid-Summer Classic coming to St. Louis

Major League Baseball’s Mid-Summer Classic will be held in Busch Stadium July 14.

The 2009 All-Star Game will mark the fifth time the league’s best players have met in St. Louis.

In 1940, 1948 and 1957, the All-Star Game was played in St. Louis’ Sportsman’s Park. The last time the game was held in St. Louis was 1966, the year Busch Memorial Stadium opened.

This time around, St. Louis celebrates the big game with “All-Star For Everyone,” a series of activities taking place throughout the six-day event. Even if you don’t have a ticket to the big game, there are plenty of fun and exciting things to see and do surrounding the Mid-Summer Classic.

All-Star for Everyone offers plenty of fan-friendly activities, including an MLB All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade presented by Chevy (July 14); Taco Bell All-Star Sunday including the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game and the XM All-Star Futures Game (July 12); MLB All-Star Charity 5K and Fun Run presented by Sports Authority and Nike (July 12); All-Star Charity Concert under the Arch with Sheryl Crow benefiting Stand Up To Cancer (July 11); and MLB All-Star FanFest at America’s Center (July 10-14.)

MLB All-Star FanFest is an interactive baseball wonderland that celebrates the thrills and excitement of America’s favorite pastime. The five-day fest offers more than 450,000 square feet of interactive exhibits and attractions, clinics, seminars, and free autograph sessions with Cardinals legends and baseball Hall of Famers.

If you get to Busch Stadium a little early, you can watch major league hitters blast baseballs into the bleachers during batting practice. The stadium opens two hours early so ticket holders can witness batting practice by players.

As it is with most things in life, batting practice times are subject to change without notice, so you might want to call the stadium at 314-345-9600 to confirm exact times.

For more information, visit http://www.allstargame.com