Rob Rains and Chris Geisz broadcasting “live” from The Burger Bar by Chef Allen.

(Compiled by Staff) — Though there was a morning rain, the skies cleared up and the Cardinals beat the Mets 2-1. Afterwards, fans headed over to The Burger Bar by Chef Allen for the Sports Zone- Homewood Suites Happy Hour Baseball Party. David Freese and Lou Brock signed baseballs which were put in the silent auction.

The auction along with the raffle, raised almost a thousand dollars which will be divided equally between Rainbows for Kids, a 501 (c)(3) charity benefitting families of children with cancer in St. Louis and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Palm Beach.

We appreciate People’s National Bank for sponsoring our Spring Training coverage and for giving us the opportunity to be at spring Training and to raise the money for the two cancer charities. Rob Rains and Chris Geisz did the radio show which airs weekdays 1-3 ct on Sports Radio 1380AM from the Burger Bar before the party started.

Guests having a good time at the party.

Freese has worked with Rainbows for Kids in the past so he was happy to donate the signed ball. He pitched to the kids in their “All-Star Game” last summer.

Tyler Hammond (center with red shirt) is one of our Rainbows for Kids kids and he was down there with his family. He helped with the raffle prizes.

One of the players in that game, Tyler Hammond  was able to come to Florida with his family and he was at the party. Earlier in the day, Hammond threw out the first pitch at the Cardinals game and at the Happy Hour party he helped with the drawings. Hammond, 14 underwent a multiple transplant surgery just weeks after  playing in the All-Star Game the year before.

When some friends saw the news about the event on RobRains.com Facebook Page they decided to put together a high school reunion of sorts. Seven friends from Lindbergh High School’s Class of ’75 met up.

Kirk Kinsella of New York who was doing business in Florida drove over, Steve Beshore brought his family of five down from St. Louis, Kathy Mullally drove over from Naples, Patty and Keith Dodel as well as Tracy Duebelbeis Fowler came from St. Louis and they all met at the Sports Zone’s Party. Rains’ wife, Sally Tippett Rains was in that class also.

Rick and Christie Netzel with Rob Rains. Christie Netzel of The Homewood Suites was one of the organizers of the event.

Christie Netzel of Homewood Suites by Hilton one of the sponsors of The Sports Zone’s Spring Training coverage in the Jupiter, Florida area helped arrange the event which featured so many prizes that almost everyone went home happy.

A group of party goers.

Mike Bauer, general manager of Roger Dean Stadium contributed with some Spring Training tickets to auction off and give away.  The show’s other sponsor Duffy’s Sports Bar and Grill contributed gift certificates to the event. Martin Kilcoyne, sports director of FOX 2 TV donated an autographed baseball signed by Stan Musial. Other prizes included free tickets to Spring Training games, Cardinals games in St. Louis, and Springfield Cardinals games. Karen Wood also helped with the auction and contributed to the auction.

Casey and Cathy Geisz. Casey helped with the drawing and Cathy helped with set up and the raffle.

The Sports Zone will be in Florida all week broadcasting “live” as they have been since the day pitchers and catchers reported to camp. Between the hosts Rob Rains, B.J. Rains, and Chris Geisz they have all been down covering the Cardinals and keeping our readers and listeners up to date on the happenings of Spring Training.

Earlier in the day Rob Rains and Geisz were at the ballpark interviewing manager Mike Matheny about the news on pitcher Chris Carpenter being sent back to St. Louis to find out why he is experiencing pain in his neck and shoulder. [To read the article about that: http://robrains.com/chris-carpenter-returns-to-st-louis-for-more-tests-on-neck-arm/ ]

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