Play Ball! It's Opening Day!
DETROIT (WWJ) - It's opening day and WWJ is broadcasting live from the Champions Club at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers begin their 114th season with a game versus the Kansas City Royals. It's the first of a three-game series against the Royals.
The first pitch is set for 1:08 this afternoon. Ace Justin Verlander will be on the mound, starting his 7th straight home opener.
Gates will open at 10:30 this morning. The first 20,000 fans will receive a Detroit Tigers rally towel.
Prior to the game, the Tigers will celebrate their 2013 American League Central Division Championship by raising a commemorative flag in center field. The national anthem will be sung by legendary R&B artist, Brian McKnight. 1984 World Series Champion Chet Lemon will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
The Game Ball will be delivered by Master Sergeant Michael Miller of the United States Air Force from Shelby Township.
For fans who are hungry, there are several new food items available throughout Comerica Park. New items include the Slaw Dog, the Pork & Beans Dog, the Late Night Dog and the Poutine Dog. There will also be a Burrito Bowl and Street Tacos.
Fans may also want to plan ahead when coming to the ballpark because of new security measures that are in place. The team has installed walk-through metal detectors at all Comerica Park entry gates and access points. All fans will be screened as they enter Comerica Park.
Fans will need to empty their pockets of keys, mobile phones, and other items before walking through the metal detector. Guests can opt out of the walk-through metal detector screening, but they will be subject to hand-held metal detector screening or alternative screening procedures.
As in past years, all fans will be subject to bag searches, and all bags will be checked. Only bags that comply with MLB standards of 16x16x8 will be admitted--those include soft-sided coolers, backpacks and diaper bags.
In addition, all streets around Comerica Park will be restricted from any vehicle traffic. Major League Baseball guidelines mandate that a screening program be implemented at all ballparks by 2015. The Tigers are one of several teams in a position to have the enhanced security measure for the start of this season.
Here are some other items that you CANNOT bring in:
Aerosol cans (hairspray, mace, pepper spray, etc.), animals (except certified service animals or service animals in training), baseball bats of any size, beach balls or other inflatable items, beverages (except juice boxes with children in your party, or for medical needs), bottles (glass or plastic with the exception of factory sealed clear bottles of unflavored water), brooms, fireworks, firearms, knives or weapons of any kind, fishing nets or poles, hard-sided coolers, illegal drugs or substances of any kind, laser devices/pointers, markers, paint masks (face cannot be covered up), noisemaking devices: air horns, bullhorns, thunder sticks, cowbells, bells, horns, kazoos, whistles, and other noisemakers, objects that can be used as missiles or projectiles: sticks, bats, clubs, Frisbees, beach balls, obscene or indecent clothing, skateboards or rollerblades, and squirt guns, including super soakers.
Enjoy the game and go Tigers!
