Busch Stadium inspected after metal falls

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 2 (UPI) -- A 100-pound piece of metal trim fell from St. Louis' Busch Stadium, prompting an inspection of all of the structure's trim, stadium officials said.

The 2-foot-by-4-foot black metal plate fell 80 feet from the west side of the stadium Monday.

"We don't know what caused it to fail. We don't know if it's an isolated issue. Our hope is that it is," Ron Watermon, the Cardinals' director of public relations and civic affairs, told the St. Louis Post Dispatch.

"We closed off all of the perimeter around the ballpark, so that we can conduct a thorough inspection of all the similar ornamental trim."

Inspectors have found other pieces of trim loose or rusting around the bolts securing the plates, Busch Stadium Director of Operations Mike Bertani said.

Falling trim should not be occurring on a stadium that is just 6 years old, he said.

Watermon said the Cardinals organization would ensure the stadium is safe.

"The bottom line is the safety of our fans and the public around the ballpark."