ST. LOUIS -- Long after the fireworks had gone off and the Cardinals had offered their congratulatory high fives following Saturday's win, the Busch Stadium grounds crew prepared the field for the second game of the day's doubleheader.
There was a fresh set of player introductions, another rendition of the national anthem and new video board material. All this for a pair of local high school programs -- in this case, Marquette Catholic (Alton, Ill.) and Hillsboro (Mo.) -- whose day would be highlighted by playing on the same field as the city's Major Leaguers.
It's a scene that plays out after almost every day game the Cards play and is a byproduct of the organization's amateur game program, which began 39 years ago.