ST. LOUIS — For the first time in recent history, three major sporting events happened in one day in downtown St. Louis.
5 On Your Side caught up with Cardinals, Battlehawks and CITY SC fans, who were all converging in one place Saturday.
The Cardinals kicked off the April 6 sports schedule with a win over the Miami Marlins. For fans, it was the start of a busy day.
"We have no plans with any one else but us today," St. Louis resident Sloane Simmons said. "We were thinking how many people will we run into that we know because there are so many games going on downtown."
Simmons's friend visiting from Seattle Molly McGlynn added, "Everybody is downtown today."
"Also, we were wondering how long are we going to be down here," Simmons said. "We don't know. Could be all day, until tomorrow."
Definitely all day if you're the self-proclaimed "Ball Hawk One," who was tailgating close to eight hours before the Battlehawks' long-awaited home opener.
"Defensive players, they are ball hawks," Ball Hawk One said, clad in shoulder pads, a Viking helmet and blue face paint. "I'm a big fan of the defense. So I go by 'Ball Hawk One' because of that. I was inspired by Hawk and Animal from WWE. That's where the shoulder pads come in."
He was geared up for the now merged UFL League along with fellow Battlehawks fan Toby Brown, known as "The Beard."
"St. Louis pride when it comes to sports, I don't know any other city that can top St. Louis," Brown said.
Whether it was to watch the Cardinals, Battlehawks or CITY SC play, it was downtown that was the place to be for all of those teams on Saturday for St. Louis sports fans.
"We're both from St. Louis," said Mary and Gregory Cross, who are season ticket holders at CITY SC. "We're both big supporters."
"I grew up watching the Cardinals my entire life," Mary said. "It's fun. It's awesome to see all these teams coming together in one weekend."
The Crosses came to the soccer pitch four hours before kick off because of the give away.
"It's very specific branded toasted ravioli merchandise that the team does," Gregory said. "There is a limited supply. So, we came out early to make sure we got some."
A deliciously distinct mark of St. Louis pride for a sports crazy town.
The Blues are playing a road game against the San Jose Sharks as they continue to chase a playoff spot.
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