If it’s the end of February, it’s the real start of spring training, when Cactus and Grapefruit League games begin. Both circuits launched play today, so it’s time for a little reading from the late Ernie Harwell. Here’s the video, courtesy of the Detroit Free Press: The Tigers opened 2014 play today at historic Joker […]
Tag Archives | detroit tigers
Second small fire put out at Fifth Third Ballpark this morning
A second small fire that was rekindled after a major blaze at Fifth Third Ballpark, home of the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League), was put out by fire crews today. The small fire, which was started by smouldering remains, was put out around 8 a.m. this morning. One additional casualty of the […]
Comerica Park stripped down for December hockey
The entire turf is out at Comerica Park, as the Detroit Tigers prep for the installation of a hockey rink as part of the NHL’s Winter Classic and the Hockeytown Winter Festival. The actual Winter Classic will be played at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, where the Red Wings will host the Toronto Maple Leafs […]
Morris: No tears shed over loss of Tiger Stadium
Not every baseball player dabbles in nostalgia: former Detroit great Jack Morris says people should celebrate Comerica Park and not spend too much time missing Tiger Stadium. While Morris says he was thrilled to play in Tiger Stadium, it was a challenge to pitchers and lacking creature comforts of all sorts. From the Detroit Free […]
Polk County commits $14.6M toward Tiger Town renovations
The first part of funding Tiger Town renovations is set, as the Polk County Board of County Commissioners agree to contribute $14.6 million to the project — less than the requested $17 million, but enough to move things forward. The money will come from a one-cent hike in tourist tax funds. The $37-million plan from […]
Tiger Town renovations scaled back; funding under debate
A renovation plan for Lakeland’s Tiger Town spring-training complex has been scaled back, as city and county officials work to put together a funding plan. The original price tag for renovations to the spring home of the Detroit Tigers, which includes Joker Marchant Stadium, was $50 million, but that number has been trimmed down to […]
MLB pitches youth academy for Tiger Stadium site
Officials with Major League Baseball Urban Youth Academy are preparing a plan for a baseball academy at the old Tiger Stadium site, but Detroit officials are dismissing the plan as a “scam.” Darrell Miller, MLB vice president of youth and facility development, has been touring Detroit sites for a potential youth-baseball academy and has discussed […]
Keeping baseball alive at Tiger Stadium
The city may be seeking an alternative use for the site, but the Navin Field Grounds Crew and dedicated vintage-baseball enthusiasts are keeping the spirit of baseball alive at the old Tiger Stadium site. The ballpark grandstand is gone — torn down in stages while the city dithered over a proposed from the late Ernie […]
Newest development plan for Tiger Stadium site: Urban Café Detroit
The latest redevelopment plan for the old Tiger Stadium site: Urban Café Detroit, an entertainment complex featuring a hotel, restaurant and other services. From WWJ: Francois DeMonique told WWJ City Beat Reporter Vickie Thomas he wants to see the site at Michigan Avenue and Trumbull transformed into a unique hotel and entertainment complex. “I love this city and […]
Florida spring-training spending could extend to Lakeland
With seven cities now eligible to apply for spring-training grants from the state, Lakeland has more inventive to move forward with a renovation of Tiger Town and Joker Marchant Stadium. Lakeland had already announced a $50-million makeover in conjunction with the Detroit Tigers, addressing both the seating bowl and berm at Joker Marchant Stadium as […]
Joker Marchant Stadium, Tiger Town set for dramatic overhaul
Joker Marchant Stadium and Tiger Town will undergo a series of dramatic improvements beginning in 2014, under a $50-million plan unveiled by the Detroit Tigers and the city of Lakeland. The complex is the spring-training home of the Tigers, while the ballpark hosts Tigers game as well as Lakeland Flying Tigers (High Class A; Florida […]
Prepping for spring training
Our day was spent on a vitally important task: putting the final touches on the many, many listings on our Spring Training Online site, so now you have the tools to begin planning your February and March travels. To be honest, its been hard to track all the schedule and reporting-date changes and additions to […]
Whitecaps unveil new logos, road cap design for 2013
The West Michigan Whitecaps (Low Class A; Midwest League) unveiled new alt logo and cap designs for the 2013 season, strengthening ties with parent Detroit Tigers. The above logo will be on the team’s road caps, as the new mark combines the Old English style of lettering favored by the Tigers with a blue stripe […]