Lakeland and the Detroit Tigers celebrated their 75th Anniversary of the team holding its Spring Training in the city in 2011. No other team in Major League Baseball has a longer partnership than Lakeland and the Tigers. The Tigers came to Lakeland in 1934 and played at Henley Field Ball Park until 1966, when Joker Marchant Stadium was built.

Words like "plain" and "simple" used to describe Joker Marchant Stadium originally finished in 1966. It held 4,900 fans and was built for $360,000. While other stadiums were made of structural steel, Marchant was concrete structure that, unlike steel, would withstand rust.

Following renovations in 2002, "cool" and "state-of-the-art" are new adjectives. Some upgrades include: increased seating from 7,040 to 8,500, a cup holder for every seat, wider aisles, and The Berm, which is a grassy, 45-foot slope beyond the fence in left field has been installed for sun worshippers, picnickers and bargain seekers.

The Tigers maintain a loyal following and you're guaranteed to hear a strong rendition of "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh-inning stretch. The public-address announcer and production crew help make the game as wonderful a day at the park as possible, with an organ playing and familiar tunes likened to Detroit between innings, including a variety of Motown hits to keep the toes a tappin'. The orange-and-blue seat colors also are well reflective of the Tiger history and spirit and the ballpark facade and its exterior -- Mediterranean style is admirable.

Individual and Season Tickets are on sale now. Call 866/66-TIGER to purchase by phone or visit www.detroit.tigers.mlb.com. 

2012 Tickets:
Tickets are priced at three separate levels, which include Navy, Orange and White levels. Navy level games on March 4, March 9, March 17, March 21, March 24 and March 25 range from $14-28. Orange level games on March 7, March 10, March 14, March 20, March 26 and March 29 range from $12-25. White level games on March 2, March 5, March 12, March 15, April 1 and April 2 range from $9-22.

Pitchers and catchers report on February 19 with first workout on February 20. Position players report on February 23 with first full squad workout on February 24.

Link to 2012 Tigers Regular Season Schedule

This season marks the Tigers 77th Spring Training in Lakeland and 47th at Joker Marchant Stadium (the longest-standing relationship between a major league team and a current spring training city.) The ballpark was built in 1966 and renovated in 2002.

Practices are held at Marchant Stadium and Tigertown.

Minor Leaguers practice at Tigertown Complex, 1901 North Lake Ave., Lakeland, FL (863) 686-8075.

Parking: $7 per car
Dimensions: 340 feet down the foul lines and 420 feet to center.
Seating Capacity: 8,500

Click here for a Joker Marchant Stadium Seating Diagram

Joker Marchant Stadium is also home to the Lakeland Flying Tigers, the Tigers Class A Florida State League affiliate

Find in Google Maps

From east or west: Take I-4 to Exit 33 and follow Route 33 South approximately 2.5 miles to Joker Marchant Stadium; park is on the left.

Traffic and Road Construction Information from the Florida Department of Transportation
Learn about important traffic and roadway conditions by visiting www.FL511.com. This service reports travel times, road construction, lane closures and more on major Florida roadways.

1930 Tampa
1934-42 Lakeland (Henley Field Ball Park)
1946-65 Lakeland (Henley Field Ball Park)
1966-2012 Lakeland (Joker Marchant Stadium)

Central Florida Visitors & Convention Bureau, (800) 828-7655 or www.VisitCentralFlorida.org

Other Spring Training sites nearby
Champion Stadium, ESPN Wide World of Sports, Lake Buena Vista, Home of the Atlanta Braves - 33 miles to the Northeast
Steinbrenner Field, Tampa, Home of the New York Yankees - 40 miles to the West
Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee, Home of the Houston Astros - 49 miles to the Northeast
Bright House Field, Clearwater, Home of the Philadelphia Phillies - 53 miles to the West
Dunedin Stadium, Dunedin, Home of the Toronto Blue Jays - 60 miles to the West