Six Tips for the St Louis Cardinals’ Winter Warm-Up

St Louis Cardinals’ Kids Care charity hosts the 20th annual Winter Warm-Up in downtown St Louis on January 16th, 17th and 18th.

Located just 5 blocks from Busch Stadium, the St Louis Cardinals‘ Cardinals Care charity hosts the Winter Warm Up (WWU) once again at the Hyatt Regency. If you’ve never been to the WWU, be sure to read at least the first two tips and reasons you should attend.

The weekend offers truly unique access to players, managers and broadcasters that’s 100% Cardinals from opening to close and proceeds go towards kids charities, like the funding the building of local baseball fields.

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The Winter Warm Up serves as the primary fund raising event for Cardinals Kids Care, the team’s charity that has used proceeds to fund nearly $21 million in grants and donations to area kids since inception in 1997. Cardinal players, coaches and staff along with dozens of volunteers work to deliver this charity event.

At the core of the WWU, in return for a donation Cardinal fans gain autographs and the chance to meet most any player. This happens with dozens of Cardinal dignitaries each signing for two hours.

Other attractions include indoor activities for the kids, St Louis Cardinal booths, outside vendor booths and a memorabilia auction table just outside the main room. There are presentation screens inside the main room with a stage and some live auctions there as well.

Many live interviews are also hosted on the main stage by the main KMOX and Fox Sports Midwest announcers. They speak with players past and present along with managers and other members of the staff.

Next: Tip #1: Purchase Signature Tickets the Minute They Go on Sale

Tip #1: Getting autographs at Spring Training is nice, but this charity event comes in as a pretty good second place if you plan well. Most desired signature tickets get gobbled up just minutes after the online sale opens, so block out time to purchase signature tickets the minute they go on sale.

I cannot stress this point enough for first timers. The most popular players sell out within the first 15-20 minutes so if you want signatures from Molina, Wainwright, Carpenter or Holliday, I’m sorry to report they are sold out. Some others may remain and there are always the free ones.

Don’t confuse the event pass with signature tickets. The event itself requires a pass for entry. St Louis Cardinals Care offers plenty of free signatures from many players, activities for kids and access to many vendors with this pass.

However, all current players and some past players require a ticket for a signature with a cost of donation that usually ranges from $5 to $100. You can purchase the event pass at any time online, $40 for adults (16+), $10 for kids and they are on sale now. You can also purchase at many sites around town (list).

The event is much more enjoyable if you have signature tickets for your favorite players, although many free lines are included in the pass for minor leaguers or former players.

Some of my most cherished signatures came from the free or $5 lines from players like Matt Adams before promotion to the bigs and this event gives you access to many of these players. Please remember that all proceeds go to a great charity and the players donate all of their time for it.

Next: Tip #2: Arrive Early on the First Day to Avoid Long Ticket Line

Tip #2: A long signature ticket pickup line awaits those who show up on time as thousands of tickets get distributed. Arrive at least 30 minutes early on the first day to pickup your signature tickets. Pickup is typically located in the US Trust building across 4th street from the Hyatt Regency.

Prior to the doors opening at the Hyatt, signature tickets need to be picked up from a long line of tables. Once you reach the tables, volunteers sort through hundreds of envelops of tickets, check those against your order and present them to you for use.

The tickets pictured above were used in the 2014 WWU after our World Series appearance in 2013. Note each ticket includes a date and time slot, such as Adam Wainwright’s 12-2 PM slot on January 18^th. It also includes a number for organizing lines in groups of 50 at a time. One last item to note is the punched hole. That’s done at the signature table while the player signs.

Don’t throw away the tickets after you use them as they can be used as a poor-man’s certificate of authenticity for the signature. JSA services typically set up a booth at the event too and for will authenticate signatures and place them into their online tracking system for a fee.

Next: Tip #3: Plan Your Signatures

Tip #3: Plan out a schedule if you’re getting many signatures. Long lines await ticket holders with high numbers. Some players have overlapping times and if you’re going solo it can be tough to visit them in time. Tickets are numbered 1-400 and entry into line is done in groups of 1-50, 51-100, 101-150, and so on.

If you happen to hold a couple of late tickets, say numbers 380 and 395 for two players signing in the same timeslot (like 1:00-3:00) it can be a challenge to get through both.

The ushers are good at assisting and there are plenty of announcements, but don’t plan to hit the first line at 2:30 and think you will get to the second one on time.

If you have something unique to get signed by the most popular players, check in advance. On rare occasions a player might be limited to signing only photos, balls or bats.

I ran across this with Lance Berkman a few years ago when limits were listed, but Lance told people in line he’d go ahead and sign whatever. It must have been a mixup between Berkman’s manager and Cardinals Care. I was glad he signed our 2011 Game 6 Rally Towel.

Next: Tip #4: How to Enjoy the Signature Lines

Tip #4: Line waits can be enjoyable if you chat it up with other Cardinal kooks.

Conversations with kids go in all sorts of directions. Wear good shoes and be prepared to stand. Some seasoned attendees bring a padded baseball bucket to sit on while in signature lines. The lines move along at a decent pace although some (like Tony LaRussa) move slower depending upon the person and how much they interact with fans.

Lines open per a schedule. Cardinals Care does a very good job of keeping to the schedule, but many lines will pre-load with people eager to get in line. With a typical line including 400 total tickets, they naturally get long and therefore are setup in a back-n-forth amusement park ride fashion.

In addition to these, volunteers learned to add organization for the wait to get into the line and have a short set of pre-load waiting areas. Funny but true folks.

I make the most of the time in line to meet and enjoy other fans. They are eager to show you unique items, talk Cardinals and share their connection to the love of the club. Kids often say the most interesting things and surprise with answers.

Next: Tip #5: You Can Win Primo Signatures at the WWU

Tip #6: Food inside the event has disappointed in the past. Consider using the hotel restaurant or walking to a nearby restaurant. We’ve found sandwiches inside to be old and have been disappointed by the bill.

Check out the Hyatt restaurant on the first floor or walk outside to eat at one of the local restaurants. Many options are located within 2-4 blocks of the WWU.

If you choose a local restaurant, be prepared as weather conditions are often cold and windy. At peak times you can also expect a wait as WWU attendees swarm the area.

This can be especially problematic if you hold a signature ticket and think an hour is enough time to eat a sandwich 3 blocks away. Another option is to book a room and keep some food there. Access is very easy and you may share an elevator ride with a player.

Next: Six reasons to go to Winter Warm Up

St Louis Cardinals Care helps to make a difference in Cardinals Country impacting the lives of thousands of kids. Please consider helping them in that cause by attending or even volunteering at the 2016 Winter Warm Up.

Signatures that cost $10, $25, or $50 can be sold for that amount almost immediately, but if you’re like me you collect them and enjoy the conversations with players being happy that the money went to a worthwhile cause. Do good, help charity and attend the 2016 WWU!