SOUTHEAST NIGHT AT BUSCH TOPS 1,000 TICKETS

Southeast Night at Busch Stadium has topped the 1,000 ticket mark. Organizers are hoping more than 1,500 from Southeast Missouri attend the Cardinal game at Busch Stadium on Saturday, June 3. The game begins at 7:10 against the Cleveland Indians.

The event is co-sponsored by the Southeast Missourian and Southeast Missouri State University.

Those who purchase tickets have an opportunity to win, and the prize pool has just increased.

Twelve lucky ballgame participants will win prizes from the Missourian and university.

OK, 12 out of 1,500 is still long odds, but it's a lot better than the lottery. The odds of winning the multi-state Powerball are 80,089,128 to 1, according to the Missouri Lottery Web site.

Eight names will be chosen to go down on the field during batting practice. Last year, the university auctioned off the seats as a fund raiser for Alumni Services. But this year, they have donated their four field visitors to the four spots donated by the newspaper.

Those who win the field spots will have their photograph taken with a Cardinal player and will receive a 8 X 10 glossy print from the newspaper.

In addition, one lucky individual will be chosen to throw out the first pitch. He or she will join Dr. Ken Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, who will also throw out an honorary pitch that day.

The Missourian will also donate vouchers for three sets of Cardinal baseball tickets that can be redeemed at a future game.

Kris Thurman, with alumni services, said the winners will be chosen by seat number. That will make it easier for the many group purchases, in which only one name is listed on the order form.

Deadline to place tickets is May 19. The winners will be chosen shortly thereafter. If winners have tickets to the pre-game party, they will be granted early admission so they can participate in the on-field festivities, that typically begin two hours before game time.

The order form can be found in today's paper on Page 7A. Tickets are available at a group price discount of $13 for adults and $7 for children, 4-15. Remaining Terrace Reserved seating is in foul territory in the following sections of Busch Stadium: 378, 376, 374 and 372.

In addition to the ballgame tickets, more than 750 have purchased tickets for the pre-game party, which begins about 5 p.m. on the Sverdrup Terraces, across from the stadium. The pre-game tickets are limited to the first 1,000 people, and provide a buffet of food and drink. These tickets are $5 for adults and children, ages 4 and over.

The university is also coordinating bus transportation to the game. Last year, one busload of fans took advantage of the offer.

But Thurman said five buses have already been filled this time around. The cost is $14 per person. It will drop off participants in front of the pre-game party and pick them back up in back of stadium after the game.

Special T-shirts with the Southeast Night logo are also available.

Generous co-sponsors of Southeast Night at Busch Stadium are Schaper's IGA, Pepsi, Kohlfeld, River Eagle, Schnucks and Charlie Pruitt of Little Debbie.

For more information, call Alumni Services at (573) 651-5159.

SOUTHEAST NIGHT @ BUSCH STADIUM

When: June 3 at 7:10 p.m.

Pre-game party at 5 to 6:30 across from Busch Stadium.

Limited to first 1,000

How Much:

*$13 for adults

*$7 for children 4-15

*$5 for pre-game party for ages 4 and up. Buffet includes brats, hot dogs, hambergers, chips, snacks, soda and beer.

What's available: 1,500 to 2,000 seats in terrace Reserved near Big Mac Land in left field.

How to buy tickets:

Call Alumnni Services at (573) 651-5159.