St. Louis making its pitch to the nation with All-Star Game

By Casey Nolen

KSDK -- Baseball's midsummer classic is almost two weeks away. And with the All-Star Game comes more than just baseball.

"The national spotlight is going to be shining on St. Louis," says Brian Hall, a spokesman for the St. Louis Convention and Visitors Commission.

Which means July 14 will be much more than a game for St. Louis; it is an opportunity for the city to make its pitch to potential tourists nationwide, according to Hall. And some are already taking notice.

"Our website traffic is up 300,000 hits from this time last year when the economy was certainly better than it is now," Hall says.

And ready to hand out to all of the expected 2,000 reporters who'll be in town, is a deck of cards showcasing what the city has to offer.

Also in the lineup are radio ads with Ozzie Smith and a visitors' guide with Albert Pujols. All of the effort isn't just for the rest of the country, but for local baseball fans -- even if you don't have a ticket.

The Convention and Visitors Commission hopes local fans will come downtown for 500,000 square feet of Fan Fest, free concerts, a fun run and more - all in the days leading up to the all star game.

All in an effort to win over new fans for the city.

"I want people to see what St. Louis has like the zoo and just all the sights that they have here," says Cardinal fan Judy Cummins. "And how nice downtown is."

Cards fan Mitch Miller is setting his sights evening higher.

"Now we need the Super Bowl here next," he says.

On Tuesday, Albert Pujols himself will be handing out Fan Fest tickets to the first 100 fans that purchase them at Busch Stadium. That gets underway at noon at stadium ticket windows two, three, four, and five. However, Pujols will not be signing any autographs or taking any pictures.