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The crack of bats and the smack of balls into gloves sounded again at TigerTown Wednesday as the Detroit Tigers’ pitchers and catchers reported for duty for the 89th year in Lakeland.
Spring Training is officially underway, with the full team set to report on Feb. 17 and the first game against the Philadelphia Phillies scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 22, at 1:05 p.m.
The Tigers have 15 home games for the 2025 Spring Training season, concluding at Joker Marchant Stadium’s Publix Field on Sunday, March 22, with Detroit hosting the Atlanta Braves.
Tickets prices vary by game, starting for some games at $25 for the berm beyond the outfield and reaching up to $250 for seats behind home plate.
Something new at practice this week is a $9 million shade structure over the pitchers’ practice field and an indoor pitching area, paid for by the Tigers and built by the Lakeland company Rodda Construction in four months. The shade structure has lighting, a sound system and artificial turf.
Lakeland Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Director Bob Donahay said the city hopes the shade structure, the indoor pitching area and new planned dormitories will “turn Lakeland into a year-round baseball factory. It’s going to be very nice to get the players to stay in Lakeland longer and use the facility in the off-season.”
The new structure also provides some shade for bystanders in the morning vying for a glimpse of their favorite players and their autographs.
Pitcher Jason Foley retrieved a ball that rolled near the fence and tossed it to 7-year-old Bryant Lee, who was waiting with his little brother, 5-year-old Bryce, and their father, John Lee. Their mother, Julie Lee, and 3-year-old sister, Chloe, waited nearby.
“We were hoping to get some autographs and be able to meet some players,” John Lee said. “It’s nice to be able to see the players up close, even just here.”
The family arrived from Dexter, Michigan, on Monday and are staying near LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven. They will visit that park, along with Disney, before they leave on Saturday.
Lee said they wanted to come to spring training because Bryce started playing Little League about four months ago.
“He loves it and loves the Tigers,” Lee said.
Pitching Prospect Troy Melton, 24, said it’s his first time at spring training camp as he vies to make it into the major leagues.
“Spring training is cool to watch the game and see everybody up close,” he said after signing autographs. “It’s a little bit of a different experience than your big league or minor league game — a little more personal, a lot of fun.”
For those attending games, city officials warn that a 1-mile stretch of Lakeland Hills Boulevard in front of the stadium is undergoing a long-planned, two-year construction project that started in October. They urge game-goers to add extra time for travel.
Parking at the stadium starts at $12 online and is $15 at the gate the day of the game.
For those wanting free parking, Citrus Connection’s TigerTown Express can take you from one of four parking lots and four hotels. The service is also free and handicap accessible.
Park & Ride locations run every 10- 15 minutes, starting about two hours before game time and ending about 90 minutes after the game ends:
- Gow B. Fields Park & Ride south of I-4.
- Lakeland Park Center by Dick’s Sporting Goods and Old Navy north of I-4.
- Rose Street Park & Ride under the Bartow Highway overpass.
- RP Funding Center
Lakeside Village hotel shuttles run about every 20 minutes, starting about two hours before game time and ending about 90 minutes after the game ends:
- Hampton Inn & Suites
- Home2 Suites by Hilton
- Courtyard by Marriott
- Residence Inn
Detroit Tigers Spring Training Home Schedule:
- Saturday, Feb. 22, 1:05 p.m. — Philadelphia Phillies
- Monday, Feb. 24, 1:05 p.m. — Toronto Blue Jays
- Wednesday, Feb. 26, 1:05 p.m. — Minnesota Twins
- Thursday, Feb. 27 1:05 p.m. — Boston Red Sox (Split Squad)
- Saturday, March 1, 1:05 p.m. — Philadelphia Phillies
- Monday, March 3, 1:05 p.m. — Toronto Blue Jays
- Wednesday, March 5, 1:05 p.m. — Philadelphia Phillies
- Friday, March 7, 6:05 p.m. — Baltimore Orioles
- Sunday, March 9, 1:05 p.m. — Pittsburgh Pirates
- Wednesday, March 12, 1:05 p.m. — Tampa Bay Rays
- Thursday, March 13, 1:05 p.m. — New York Yankees
- Sunday, March 16, 1:05 p.m. — Baltimore Orioles (Split Squad)
- Monday, March 17, 1:05 p.m. — Pittsburgh Pirates (Split Squad)
- Friday, March 21, 6:05 p.m. — New York Yankees (Split Squad)
- Saturday, March 22, 1:05 p.m. — Atlanta Braves
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