SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- The St. Louis Cardinals said Wednesday the team will play one exhibition game against the Springfield Cardinals, their Class AA affiliate, at 6 p.m. on Monday, April , 2012, at Hammons Field.
The Cardinals wanted to play two exhibition games here as part of their 2012 spring training schedule partly to make up for the weather-related cancellation of a sold out exhibition game on March 29, 2011. The Cardinals regular season and Spring Training schedules, which are set by Major League Baseball, prevent two exhibition games from being possible this year.
The Cardinals will open the regular season on Wednesday, April 4, with a unique single game series against the Miami Marlins to open their new stadium in Florida.
"We owe it to the great fans of Springfield to come home to Missouri to play this exhibition game despite the travel challenges presented by our schedule" said Cardinals General Manager John Mozeliak. "While we are disappointed we can't play two games, this will be a welcome trip home for many of our players who really enjoyed their playing time in Springfield."
