Team uses Central Florida town for spring training
IAN STALKER
Visit Central Florida is inviting Canadians to watch the boys of summer play in spring.
The region is used by the Detroit Tigers for spring training and Michael Hogan of Visit Central Florida says viewing the Tigers will be enjoyable for those who enjoy baseball, regardless of where their team allegiances lie.
“I feel that there are a lot of people in Canada who have an interest in watching the Detroit Tigers play baseball in Lakeland while visiting Central Florida and Polk County, even if they are not Tigers fans,” he states. “Spring training is an opportunity for people from the colder areas of the United States and Canada to head south for warmth during what has already been a long winter. Even casual baseball fans have an interest in seeing what their team may look like for the upcoming season and what their team’s opponents will look like.”
Detroit Tigers spring training starts Feb. 24 in Central Florida. The 2024 spring training campaign will mark the 59th consecutive season of the Major League Baseball team playing at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, solidifying the longest-standing relationship between an MLB team and its current spring training host city.
“In addition, with the Toronto Blue Jays being Canada’s Major League Baseball team, and with the extensive Canadian snowbirds and former Canadian residents that have moved to Central Florida and the region, along with the fact that there may indeed be Detroit fans in parts of Canada due to the proximity of Detroit to the Canadian border, I most certainly feel that our friends to the North would have an interest in watching the Detroit Tigers,” he adds.
This year’s Tigers spring training schedule is seen as particularly special for Canadian fans as it features games against the Blue Jays on Feb. 27 and March 7 in Lakeland, adding an international flair to the spring training season.
Tourism officials say Central Florida — comprising the cities of Lakeland, Davenport, Lake Wales, and Winter Haven — offers an alternative itinerary to the hustle and bustle of major, busy attractions in Orlando.
“Each year millions of baseball fans flock to Florida for spring training, while many people retire there – either full-time or for several months of the year – simply because of the location of their favourite Major League Baseball team,” Hogan says. “Dunedin, Fla. where the Toronto Blue Jays have spring training and which houses a minor league baseball team, has a large Canadian presence. Lakeland has a very heavy Michigan population, Clearwater, Florida, (used by the Philadelphia Phillies for spring training) is the same but with residents of eastern Pennsylvania, and so on. Again, people want to get out of the cold and snow for the warm weather, and for some of these families, these are annual family traditions.”
Fans who visit Florida for spring training do so in large part because of the intimate settings in which they can watch games. The stadiums are smaller, with a capacity of 10,000 seats in most cases.
“The experience will get you much closer than in a large stadium that you would go to during the regular season and in a lot of cases you will be able to interact with your favourite player or the biggest stars in the game,” Hogan says.
He adds that his region will also accommodate those who aren’t interested in baseball, stating that Polk County — known as Central Florida’s “Sweetest Spot” — is a “treasure trove of experiences waiting to be discovered. Imagine unwinding by serene lakes, wandering through the lush trails of the Circle B Bar Reserve, or diving into a range of outdoor adventures – it’s a nature lover’s dream come true. Beyond the great outdoors, you’ll find a vibrant cultural scene, fascinating museums, and family gems like Legoland Florida Resort and the Peppa Pig Theme Park, all within easy reach of Orlando’s famous attractions. Whether you’re looking to tee off on a sunny golf course, practice some water sports, or just soak up the tranquility, Polk County has a little magic for everyone. It’s the perfect place to create lasting memories, far from the roar of the crowd but close to the heart of Florida’s fun.
“Whether you’re cheering for the Detroit Tigers or the Blue Jays during Spring Training or exploring the myriad attractions that Central Florida has to offer, the region promises an enriching experience for all visitors. For Canadians, it’s an excellent way to enjoy the warmth, witness their national team in action, and explore everything from entertainment to nature. Central Florida truly offers a slice of paradise for every traveller.”
More information can be found at visitcentralflorida.org.
