Why St. Louis Superman Isn't Coming to Any More Cardinals NLCS Games

Superman has had it.

Charlee Soffer, otherwise known as the St. Louis Superman, says security blockades around Busch Stadium are making it near impossible for him to work during the games by entertaining fans outside the stadium and earning tips. He says he earned a record low on Saturday, the first day of the NLCS.

"Sorry, St. Louis Cardinals, you're on your own against (San Francisco)," Soffer says on his Facebook page. "Fingers crossed you fellas make it to the series. I wouldn't miss that for the world, regardless of how much income I lose."

As St. Louis' own version of the Man of Steel, Soffer has become a staple at Cardinals games, much like the Rally Runner, who jogs around the stadium while the Redbirds play, or Joe the Balloon man. In May, Soffer acted like a real-life superhero when he saved the day by breaking up a fight between intoxicated fans.

But things changed when the Redbirds made it into the playoffs and security started restricting fan re-entry. During the NLDS, Soffer says, there weren't enough fans on the streets for him to earn what he typically receives in tips despite massive turnout to the games. He also says he saw "a large drop in traffic" for merchandise booths and photographers around the stadium.

UPDATE, 1:50 p.m.: In a phone call to Daily RFT, Soffer says the security around the stadium is stronger than it's ever been since he started performing in 2010.

"This year, for whatever reason they have, they are a lot more restrictive," Soffer says. "The barricades haven't been this bad before."

He's heard several unofficial explanations for the heightened security, from Ferguson protesters to ISIS threats to fan fights. But with access to the ballpark restricted, he fears for the merchants (and performers, like him) around the stadium trying to earn a living.

"If they can't make their quotas, God forbid, they might lost their work," he says. "(Busch Stadium officials) might not realize this money is going away because 60 percent of the stadium can't come out." End of udpate.

See also: St. Louis Superman Says Security Banned Him from Busch Stadium

The security barricades also block the Rally Runner from his route:

Sunday night, after security blocked access to two more games during the NLCS, Soffer gave up on trying to entertain fans and earn money at the stadium. He says the only way to get around the north side of the ballpark is to walk on a patio sidewalk in Ballpark Village, but even that stopped working when officials told him, the Rally Runner and Joe the Balloon Man that they had to stop cutting through because Ballpark Village is "private property."

"We literally would have to walk around an extra block up Seventh [Street] past the Hilton and down Broadway just to get to the eastern side of the park," Soffer says.

Soffer promises he'll turn up to World Series games if the Cardinals make it, even if it means losing out on income.

"Unless I am able to live the experience that brought me close to this city and gave me the heart for this team, I prefer to be with my family at home than standing outside alone," he says.

Here's what Soffer said online:

Follow Lindsay Toler on Twitter at @StLouisLindsay. E-mail the author at [email protected].