Believe it or not, baseball is back!
The first spring training game is Friday for many teams around the league, and if you’re planning to attend a game this year you should be aware of new security procedures in place.
For the first time this year, all spring training facilities will have metal detectors that fans must walk through.
Personnel will also be searching bags.
Major League Baseball put the new procedures in place following the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando last June.
In addition to the added security measures, they also require that nobody can park within a 100 feet of the facility. The City of Lakeland, which runs Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium for the Detroit Tigers, had to move handicap spaces further from the building because of this requirement.
It’s recommended for fans to arrive early and give yourself extra time to get through the new security procedures.
Fans in Lakeland are advised to get to the park even earlier because of the expected crowd on opening day to check out the new renovations.
The city just finished a 48 million dollar renovation project that includes a 360-degree walkway around the park, more shade, a huge scoreboard, and plenty of other features.
Friday’s game is at 1:05 p.m. against the Baltimore Orioles.
