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Grapefruit League Stadiums: #8 Joker Marchant Stadium

The home of the Detroit Tigers, Joker Marchant Stadium, is #8 in our Spring Training Grapefruit League countdown. Located in Lakeland, Florida, Joker Marchant Stadium is the longest tenured stadium by a single Major League team. “Tiger Town” has been in Lakeland since 1934, and this is the 51st season Detroit has used Joker Marchant Stadium as its home facility.

Joker Marchant Stadium Spring Training Grapefruit LeagueOne thing you will not have a hard time finding with the Tigers is talent. The team has been competitive for almost a decade now and has the star power to match any competition. Miguel Cabrera, the 2012 Triple Crown winner, leads the way despite missing most of last season due to injury. Other fan favorites include Ian Kinsler and Justin Verlander. The Tigers just signed prized outfielder Justin Upton, who will provide plenty of offensive fire for Spring Training fans.

While the stadium is one of the oldest in the Grapefruit League, Joker Marchant Stadium has gone through expansion and renovations over the years and currently sits around 8,000-9,000 fans. There are two levels of seating between first and third base, grandstands down the left field line that remind you of high school football, and (my favorite) grass seating behind the left field fence. The grass seats are in a great location for home run souvenirs with all the hitters mentioned above.

Ticket prices are somewhat favorable, going for $10-$31 regardless of the opponent. You won’t be fooled at the box office because of a “premium game”. Parking is a bit cheaper, as you can expect to pay $8 according to the Tigers’ website. This is parking run by the city of Lakeland, so there may be other cheaper or more expensive options close by.

Joker Marchant Stadium Spring Training Grapefruit LeagueGames at Joker Marchant Stadium are very fan friendly. The experience is as classic as you will get with a Spring Training complex. The stadium is throwback, the seats are throwback, and the fans really pack this stadium on a daily basis. Detroit even plays the local Division II College, Florida Southern, every year in an exhibition game. There is a great partnership between the Tigers and Lakeland.

Detroit has a great location for the Grapefruit League. They are close to both the east coast and gulf coast Spring Training locations. If you are venturing across the state to catch multiple games, be sure to stop by Tiger Town and check out Joker Marchant Stadium. If it isn’t on your way, create a detour and make it on your way.

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