Day 6: Visiting Tigers Spring Camp

Day six of my exclusive Legends On Deck journey through the Grapefruit League Spring Training facilities, landed me about 45 minutes west of Tampa in Lakeland FL, spring home of the Detroit Tigers.

Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate as rain and storms plagued my experience. But that didn’t spot the handful of loyal Tigers fans from braving the elements to catch a glimpse of their favorite players and secure autographs on bats, posters and cards, which securely protected from the wind and rain.

Much to my delight, parking was convenient and just a few steps from the Joker Marchant Stadium and practice fields. Most of the players were inside taking batting practice, but fans could still interact as they walked from the hitting cages and weight room to the locker rooms. There are four fields plus a large workout field off to the right of the main stadium. There is limited access to the fields for fans, but there are two main spots to see the players up close and personal.

Restrooms were located in the stadium, however I did not see any food or team store opened at the site, but there were several restaurants in the area, just off Interstate 4. Again, weather could have been a major factor today. The players were extremely friendly as they engaged in small talk with the fans. If the weather was a little better, it definitely would be a great experience and a must for the Detroit faithfuls.

This park and experience goes high on my list as one of the better ones.