Comerica Park to host first college game

Comerica Park to host first college game
Central Michigan, Michigan State to battle April 30
By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 02/10/11 1:14 PM EST

DETROIT -- The Tigers will welcome college baseball to Comerica Park for the first time in stadium history when Central Michigan takes on Michigan State on Wednesday, April 20, in a 6:35 p.m. ET matchup.

The Tigers will be on the road that day, wrapping up a West Coast trip in Seattle that afternoon. Right around the time that game will be over, the defending Mid-American Conference champion Chippewas will take on the Spartans in what is being dubbed the "Clash at Comerica."

The game will celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the first meeting between the two teams.

"Any rivalry is augmented by a chance to play in a Major League park," CMU head coach Steve Jaksa said, according to a release on the school's website. "The opportunity to be part of the first collegiate game at Comerica Park, and to work with the Tigers on this initiative, is great for college baseball, the Tigers and our state."

Michigan State returns 22 letter winners and four All-Big Ten Conference honorees. Second baseman Ryan Jones is the reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year, while first baseman Jeff Holm was named the Prospect League Player of the Year last summer.

Michigan State went 34-19 last year, and 11-13 in the Big Ten.

"We're extremely excited about the opportunity to play at Comerica Park, one of the best baseball stadiums in the country, against Central Michigan," MSU head coach Jake Boss said, according to msuspartans.com. "It will be an absolute thrill for our players to compete in a Major League facility. A few of our players had the opportunity to play at Comerica Park during their high school careers, but to play in the first collegiate game in the ballpark's history is truly special. We're looking forward to a great night of baseball in the Motor City."

Central Michigan was selected as the MAC West preseason favorite in a poll of conference coaches. The Chippewas return six position players with at least 20 starts, plus much of their pitching staff from last season.

Tickets will be sold as general admission at $8 for adults and $6 for youths and seniors, and $5 for CMU students. Group tickets for 10 or more fans will run $5 each. Tickets will be sold at the Comerica Park box office as well as CMU Ticket Central.

On game day, fans can enter Comerica Park through the main gates on Witherell Street, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.