Tigers announce home-opener plans

Tigers announce home-opener plans
U.S. military, entertainers to participate in pregame festivities

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

04/08/10 9:32 AM ET

KANSAS CITY -- Michigan's miltary heroes, television and film star Tim Allen and "American Idol" finalist Matt Giraud, Michigan natives all, will be the featured participants in the Tigers' traditional pregame pageantry prior to their home opener Friday afternoon against the Indians at Comerica Park.

Much like last year with representatives of Michigan's Big Three automotive companies, the Tigers will use their ceremonial first pitches to honor each branch of the U.S. military. Joyce M. Lambton, Yeoman Second Class of the U.S. Coast Guard, will join Marine Corps Captain Thomas Shield, U.S. Army Sergeant 1st Class Bradford Webster, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant John Self and a representative of the U.S. Navy to take the mound and throw out a pitch prior to the 1:07 p.m. ET game.

They'll all be receiving a ball from Allen, who went to high school in the Detroit area and graduated from Western Michigan University before embarking on a career in comedy in the Detroit area and starring in the television sitcom "Home Improvement."

Giraud, a finalist from last year's "American Idol" competition and a native of Ypsilanti, Mich., will perform the national anthem.

A military flyover will feature four F-15C Aircraft from the 95th Fighter Squadron of Tyndall Air Force Base. Following the traditional team introductions, Master Sergeant Derek Stancle of the United States Air Force will deliver the game ball for Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello to use for the official first pitch.

The gates to Comerica Park will open at 10:30 a.m. ET to accommodate the sellout crowd.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Last Updated: April 09. 2010 7:58AM
Downtown Detroit geared up for Tigers fans
Santiago Esparza / The Detroit News

Detroit -- It's time to plaaaayyy baaaalllll! And downtown Detroit is already showing spirit today for the Tigers' home opener with fans out early sporting orange and blue clothing.

Downtown bars are opening at 8 a.m. for the baseball faithful, who can expect more than the drinks to be cold as temperatures will be in the 30s and 40s throughout the day.

The Detroit Tigers will take on the Cleveland Indians in the first home game of the baseball season with a 1:07 p.m. start at Comerica Park. Fresh from taking two out of three against the Kansas City Royals, the Tigers are expecting more than 40,000 fans to cheer them on.

Rick Porcello will pitch for the Tigers today. The 21-year-old righty is the youngest to take the mound for the Tigers for a home opener since at least 1952, according to the team. Lefty David Huff will take the mound for the Indians.

Parking will be tight with lots and structures closer to the ballpark charging as much as double that of lots a few blocks further from the stadium. Parking prices typically run from $5 to more than $20.

Fans should dress warm because temperatures will be in the mid 40s, said Danny Costello, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service reporting station in white Lake Township. A wind form the west will blow about 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, he said.

It will be cloudy at game time, but the sun will slowly come out as the game progresses, Costello said.

Michigan native Tim Allen will throw out ceremonial first pitches to representatives from each of the branches of the military. And Matt Giraud, 2009 American Idol finalist and Michigan native, will sing the national anthem.

Four F-15C aircrafts from the 95th Fighter Squadron of Tyndall Air Force Base will conduct a flyover the stadium.

The Renaissance High School Percussions Masters of Beat drum line will perform outside the stadium as Renaissance band students raise money for a trip to Europe. The students are about $32,000 short of the $207,126 needed for the visit. They have until next week to raise the money.

Also noteworthy today: Fans used to taking a smoke break in the stadium will no longer be able to do so. The stadium now is a smoke-free building in advance of a state smoking ban taking effect in May.

Three designated areas outside the stadium have been set aside for fans who need to take a puff. Stadium staffers will have to scan the tickets of these fans so they can get back inside for the game.

Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

sesparza@detnews.com (313) 222-2320

From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20100409/SPORTS0104/4090387/Downtown-Detroit-geared-up-for-Tigers-fans#ixzz0kbYF6BuN