MLB spring training workout dates released, Tigers’ will start on Valentine’s Day

Five weeks from today, the Detroit Tigers will begin reporting to Lakeland, Fla. for spring training workouts. Major League Baseball announced the workout dates for every team on Tuesday, and Detroit’s falls on Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

The team’s pitchers and catchers will have their first workout on the 14th, while the first full-squad workouts will take place on Feb. 18. The Tigers’ unofficial-official first game of the spring will take place on Feb. 23 against their annual opponents, Florida Southern College.

Nothing overtly interesting happens in the span of that first week leading up to Grapefruit League play, but just the thought of returning baseball is enough to get fans excited. Because let’s be honest, you love baseball and you’re sick of winter.

This year, however, fans attending the spring games will see an improved ballpark. The Joker Marchant Stadium has been under construction for several enhancements, so prepare accordingly. Among the improvements are:

• More shaded areas (because after a long winter, let’s face it, your ghostly skin is going to burn because you forgot the sunscreen)
• Additional box seats
• Extra air-conditioned spaces
• Added concession stands and the like (nothing says baseball like gorging yourself on ballpark food, but hey, it’s baseball, so that’s OK)
• More restrooms (thank the good Lord)
• A Hooters Dugout (no, seriously)
• Margaritaville Deck
• A plethora of new and fancy features
• Several new player amenities

So, with TigerFest around the corner on Jan 21, keep in mind that actual spring baseballisms are only weeks away. Until then, you’ll have to settle for the occasional player tweets about offseason training and fishing on OFFSEASON.