Lakeland Warns New Security Measures At Tigers Games Could Cause Delays

LAKELAND, FL – The City of Lakeland has a message for Tigers fans at home and those heading to Tiger Town: Arrive early and be prepared for extra security.

Major League Baseball security protocols now mandate all fans must have bags checked and must walk through metal detectors before entering the stadium. MLB has also mandated that no baseball complex can have any parking spaces within 100 feet of the entire stadium, which includes handicap parking.

The new standards, which will be implemented at Spring Training facilities and Major League ball parks, are effective immediately. For the Detroit Tigers, that means it begins Friday, Feb. 24 when they play the Baltimore Orioles on Opening Day.

In order to comply with the new MLB security regulations and meet growing demands by Spring Training fans, Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium created 72 new handicap designated spaces with access to the First Base Gate.

The new handicap parking spaces are wider than the traditional handicap spaces to accommodate wheelchairs and mobility vehicles.

According to the City of Lakeland, the new security measures may cause some delays fans have not experienced in the past, and recommend that fans arrive 15 minutes earlier than they have in the past. The city also recommends for fans to arrive at least 30 minutes earlier than normal for Opening Day on Feb. 24.

For more information, visit http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/spring_training/.

Image courtesy of the City of Lakeland Facebook page