Tigers host Southern Florida in traditional opener today

Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Notebook
Tigers host Southern Florida in traditional opener today
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Practice makes perfect. It can also make a baseball team antsy.

The Tigers finally move from the practice field to Joker Marchant Stadium today when they play their traditional preseason opener against Florida Southern College, which is based in Lakeland.

Todd Jones will change jobs for one day, shifting from his traditional closer's role to a starting assignment for manager Jim Leyland's team.

He will be followed by Virgil Vasquez, Jordan Tata, and a series of Tigers prospects, including ex-Michigan State right-hander Jeff Gerbe and right-hander Freddy Dolsi.

Pudge Rodriguez will bat leadoff for the Tigers as Leyland gets him a quick, one-inning cameo at catcher. Most of the day's starters will be high-profile, Opening Day players who will work a fast inning or two before giving way to veterans and prospects.

Leyland's primary motivation in beginning the game with regulars is to pay proper respect to Florida Southern.

"I want our lineup announced with all those guys in it," he said after Monday's workout. "I want those kids (Florida Southern) to be able to say they played against a big-league lineup.

"If we're going to do things like this (play a local college team), we're going to do it right. And if not, we shouldn't even do it."

The Tigers begin their Grapefruit League schedule on Wednesday against the New York Mets at Marchant Stadium. Jeremy Bonderman will start for the Tigers.

Toronto visits the Tigers on Thursday ahead of Detroit's first spring road game, Friday, against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dunedin.

Around the horn

Backup catcher Vance Wilson practiced throwing from 120 feet with no apparent problems or setbacks during practice on Monday. Wilson, recovering from elbow surgery, has said he would like to be ready to play in a game by March 20.

Leyland's response Monday: "I would say that's possible but questionable."

A limited number of full season-ticket packages for Comerica Park went on sale Monday.

A number of 27- and 41-game season packages are also available.

No single-game Opening Day tickets will be available when single-game sales begin Saturday at 10 a.m. at Comerica Park.

Customers are limited to 12 tickets per game.

You can reach Lynn Henning at lynn.henning@detnews.com