Detroit Tigers to sell spring training tickets, allow limited attendance

Evan Petzold

| Detroit Free Press

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The Detroit Tigers are ready to welcome fans back into the stands.

A limited attendance will be permitted to attend spring training games at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida, according to city director of parks and recreation Bob Donahay.

The Tigers, however, have not announced MLB’s approval of their proposal to seat fans for the Grapefruit League exhibition games. To purchase tickets, the city is telling fans to contact the Lakeland Box Office at 863-686-8075 or email springtraining@tigers.com.

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To comply with health and safety guidelines, city officials said the capacity for seating in the stands will be reduced to 2,000 fans, which is a little more than 20% of the stadium’s 9,000 maximum capacity. Tickets are going to be sold in socially distant pods of two and four seats.

Party areas, such as the Pepsi Porch in right field and the grass-covered berm beyond the left-field wall, will operate at a reduced capacity.

“The 2021 Grapefruit League season will go on as scheduled but there will be a few changes for the fans and ticket holders,” Donahay said in a news release. “Major League Baseball has approved of our plan, and in order to keep physical distancing protocols, seating capacity will be reduced by approximately 20% to 2,000, and tickets will be sold in pods of two or four with six-foot distancing standards in place between pods.”

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Masks are mandatory for all fans.

Because of health concerns, there won’t be on-field or pre-game activities. Fan-player interaction is not allowed until further notice. Additional guidelines, city officials said, will be announced in the coming weeks.

The Tigers begin spring training with a Feb. 26 exhibition against Southeastern University in Lakeland before opening Grapefruit League competition Feb. 27 in Tampa with the New York Yankees.

On Feb. 28, the team has its spring training home opener at Joker Marchant Stadium against the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers compete in 17 Grapefruit League contests at home, plus the exhibition.