FOR SALE: Jumbotron, hot dog stands, more

ST. LOUIS -- Having trouble keeping track of the score for your backyard Whiffle ball games? Maybe the scoreboard from Busch Stadium is what you need.

The scoreboard, the video board, the tarp, even hot dog stands and kitchen utensils from the old ballpark will be auctioned off next month. The St. Louis County auction firm Schneider Industries will accept sealed bids and host a walkthrough for potential buyers Aug. 9-10, by appointment only.

"For people who have other sports facilities, businesses, venues or just have a significant, personal interest, this will be the only major league baseball stadium sale this year and a fabulous opportunity to acquire a wide range of fixtures, stadium and restaurant support equipment and one-of-a-kind items," said the firm's president, Bruce Schneider.

After 40 seasons, Busch will be imploded immediately after the completion of the current season. The specific date will depend upon how far the Cardinals -- currently in first place in the NL Central by 11 games -- go into the playoffs. The new Busch Stadium is being built next door and will be ready Opening Day 2006.

Schneider emphasized that no Cardinals memorabilia will be for sale in the August offering. Those items will be offered at a later date. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are separately selling seats from the old ballpark.

Still, the auction will feature a wide variety of items -- 72 pages are listed on the Schneider Web site. Most are behind-the-scenes stuff, but there are a few Cardinals fans have grown to know and love:

--The old scoreboard in left field, perhaps best known for flashing "We Win" after the Cardinals beat the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 7 of the 1982 World Series.

--The video scoreboard in right field that flashes pictures and statistics for each hitter and replays in-game highlights.

--A game-used tarp -- not the same one, but one similar to the tarp that tripped and injured Cardinals speedster Vince Coleman, knocking him out of the 1985 playoffs.

--A pitching machine used by the Cardinals for indoor batting practice.

--Portable hot dog stands that that feed the hungry masses at the games.

--Video equipment, restaurant supplies, tables, chairs -- even trucks and tractors used to keep the stadium grass manicured.

Many of the items would be useful to a sports organization -- a minor-league or college team, said Schneider spokesman Fred Lydic. Then again, considering the fervent support of the Cardinals, the company expects plenty of bidders who are simply fans.

"You don't know who will want this stuff -- it could be a guy who has more money than he knows what to do with and thinks a Jumbotron would be really cool," Lydic said.

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On the Net:

www.bidonbusch.com