Albert Pujols will make another appearance at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up, but you'll need a combination of timing and luck to get one.Other players? Not quite as tough.
Cardinals Care, the charitable foundation of the St. Louis Cardinals has announced the online registration process for the chance to purchase Albert Pujols autograph tickets to be used during the team's 14th Winter Warm-Up. The event will be held in January at the Hyatt Regency Hotel near the Gateway Arch.
The Cardinal slugger's autograph is in demand regardless of the price. Last year, tickets for Pujols autographs were $150 but fans and collectors flocked to grab one.
Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 27th, fans can register for the opportunity to purchase an autograph ticket for Pujols at the team's website (stlcardinals.com/winterwarmup). Fans may also purchase Warm-Up passes at the team's website beginning on Friday, November 27th.
"Albert is obviously a fan favorite and we are excited that he is returning for the 2010 Winter Warm-Up," said Michael Hall, St. Louis Cardinals Vice President of Cardinals Care and Community Relations. "We feel this autograph ticket process accommodates all fans, both local and outer-market," said Hall.
Player autograph sessions are one of the most popular attractions of the Warm-Up. While some players' autographs are free with the admission pass, others require an autograph ticket available through a specific additional donation. Every dollar donated for autograph tickets and all proceeds from the Winter Warm-Up benefit Cardinals Care, the team's community foundation that cares for kids. Fans will have until January 3rd to register for a chance to purchase an autograph ticket for Pujols. The Pujols online-only sale will be held January 8th. All other autograph tickets will be sold online beginning Saturday, January 9th through Wednesday, January 13th.
The online registration process is one of several improvements that Cardinals Care has made to streamline the process for obtaining autograph tickets, as well as to enhance the overall fan experience at the Warm-Up.
"Fans will no longer need to camp out simply for the chance to purchase an autograph ticket for any of our popular players," Hall said. The team will keep fans updated on player autograph dates, times, and, if required, additional donation amounts.
One of the most popular fan events in baseball, the three-day event will take place Saturday, January 16th through Monday, January 18th (Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Times are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday.
Thanks in large part to fan and sponsor support of the Winter Warm-Up, Cardinals Care has distributed more than $14 million to area children's organizations since its inception in 1997.
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Starting at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 27th, fans can register for the opportunity to purchase an autograph ticket for Pujols at the team's website (stlcardinals.com/winterwarmup). Fans may also purchase Warm-Up passes at the team's website beginning on Friday, November 27th.