Carlsbad, CA, Tuesday July 07, 2009
While Major League Baseball’s National League All-Stars prepare themselves to try and win their first Mid-Summer Classic since 1996, the Upper Deck Company is readying itself to entertain the tens of thousands of baseball card enthusiasts who will invade St. Louis’s America’s Center Convention Complex from Friday, July 10, through Tuesday, July 14, for the popular MLB FanFest show. In conjunction with this year’s annual MLB All-Star Game at Busch Stadium next Tuesday night, Upper Deck will be setting up inside the convention complex this weekend with its tricked-out corporate booth, complete with an area dedicated to promoting the company’s new sports-themed virtual world for kids: UpperDeckU.com!

“We have something scheduled for every level of baseball fan,” said Gabriel Garcia, Upper Deck’s associate baseball brand manager. “St. Louis is a great baseball city, with plenty of history behind it, so we know that we have to be at the top of our game this weekend.”

During each day of the show – from Friday, July 10 through Tuesday, July 14 – Upper Deck will have a major presence inside the Collector’s Showcase area. To get things rolling, the industry leader will be giving away free Albert Pujols posters during each day of the show, while supplies last. Show hours will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Friday and Tuesday) and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday through Monday).

As one of the league’s two licensed baseball card manufacturers, Upper Deck will once again be conducting its popular foil pack wrapper redemption program during each day of the show. Fans who purchase three packs of any 2009 Upper Deck baseball products at the show with a suggested retail price of $1.99 or more per pack will receive one of five different 2009 MLB FanFest exclusive four-card packs. Note: Upper Deck’s First Edition and O-Pee-Chee Baseball packs will not be accepted toward the redemption program. Card packs must be opened in front of an Upper Deck representative for redeeming purposes.

The content of each of the day’s event-exclusive packs is loaded with talent: Friday packs include Albert Pujols, Ken Griffey Jr., Bruce Sutter and Tim Lincecum; Saturday’s lineup sees Stan Musial, Derek Jeter, Rick Ankiel and Enos Slaughter; Sunday will sport Ozzie Smith, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Dustin Pedroia and Colby Rasmus; Monday will boast Bob Gibson, Joe DiMaggio, Zach Greinke and Ryan Braun; and Tuesday’s foursome includes Lou Brock, Ichiro, Red Schoendienst and Josh Hamilton. Supplies are limited, so time is of the essence. What’s more, in randomly assorted packs some lucky collectors will find a special “Cardinals Painting” bonus card, numbered to 500. The painting by Ron Stark shows five Cardinal greats: Smith, Gibson, Brock, Pujols and Musial. The original painting will be on display at Upper Deck’s booth and will be auctioned off on Tuesday during the live Hunt Auctions event starting at 10 a.m.

In addition, computer stations for UpperDeckU.com will be set up where kids can play, compete and win all while exploring Upper Deck’s newly launched virtual world for kids. Participants will be walking away with UDU-themed sticker sheets, temporary tattoos, VIP “inside access” badges and promo packs.

To get baseball fans in the mood, Upper Deck will also have its personalized trading card station up and running where spectators young and old, male and female can get their very own personalized MLB FanFest trading cards produced free of charge by Upper Deck. The back of each of this year’s FanFest P-Cards will also include a 20% off coupon for any purchases made at www.upperdeckstore.com.



About Upper Deck
Upper Deck is the leading sports and entertainment trading card and collectibles company. For more information on Upper Deck and its products please visit www.upperdeck.com