Detroit police, fire will be out making sure Detroit Tigers' Opening Day is a safe one
Detroit police, fire will be out making sure Detroit Tigers' Opening Day is a safe one
Detroit Tigers fans, it's Opening Day!
Whether you're planning to come to downtown Detroit for the baseball game or just to hang out with fellow fans in public and private spaces, Detroit police and fire representatives say they are prepared to keep the area — and your experience — a safe one.
Advertisement
Hundreds of thousands of people, including some from other states, are expected to be in and around Comerica Park, with folks starting to file in as early as 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. Friday for the annual tradition, authorities say.
Detroit Assistant Police Chief Franklin Hayes speaks April 4, 2025, about safety for Detroit Tigers' Opening Day in Grand Circus Park. He is flanked by Fire Prevention Chief Dennis Hunter of the Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division, left, and Detroit Police Capt. Nate Duda.
Eric Larson, CEO of the Downtown Detroit Partnership, said last year there was a 4% increase in attendance for Opening Day over 2023, and he believes that number will be exceeded this year.
While it's hard to put a direct economic impact number on Opening Day, he said, events such as the Detroit Grand Prix, a three-day event, has about $75 million of economic impact and $135 million of regional economic impact. Plus, there is repeat business to bars and restaurants, adding "it's hundreds of millions of dollars that these events represent to our local community, to our small businesses and to those who are investing in the city."
Advertisement
Detroit Assistant Police Chief Franklin Hayes said Thursday that authorities have a comprehensive safety plan that will be "highly visual" and have officers present throughout the city, including in neighborhoods, as well as with "members that you cannot see, just to ensure the safety of all."
"We will have more than enough first responders out here in these public spaces to ensure that everyone has a great day, a great Opening Day," he said during a news conference in Grand Circus Park, the site of Detroit's official Opening Day party, just steps away from the ballpark.
Fire Prevention Chief Dennis Hunter, of Detroit Fire Department's Fire Marshal Division, said teams of two will be out conducting fire safety sweeps at bars, restaurants and outdoor venues looking for proper permitting, extinguishers, propane being secured and cooking equipment, which should be inspected.
He said to make sure tents at outdoor venues are up properly and exits are marked properly. He told restaurants and other outdoor locations to "comply with your capacity levels. The capacity cards are there for a reason. If it's 200, we ask business owners to stay within that 200. Our goal is to work with the business owners and make sure that everyone has a great time for (the) Detroit Tigers' home opening."
Advertisement
If a location is over capacity, authorities said, the owners will be asked to escort out some patrons and not invite others in, getting the number down to what it's supposed to be. If someone sees overcrowding at a location, Hunter said they can call 313-596-2954.
He reminded visitors there are no barbecue grills allowed on public ways or public property and any cooking is to be done outside of tents, not under them. If you are caught grilling, he said, "we'll politely remind you that you can't do it." Other enforcement action could be a misdemeanor citation with a fine of $500, he said.
Hayes said authorities don't want visitors to be a victims of predatory behavior and will be looking out for folks being charged by a person — versus parking meters — to park on streets; scalping; counterfeit merchandise, and providing alcohol illegally or to minors.
Hayes reminded visitors intending to carry weapons to be mindful of concealed carry regulations and that there are weapons-free zones. He said he doesn't see a need for people to carry a firearm. Larson said metal detectors will be at the event at Grand Circus Park, and public parks are weapons-free areas.
Advertisement
Authorities also encouraged visitors to drink responsibly and to take public transportation or ride shares if they choose to consume alcohol.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
Support local journalism. Subscribe to the Free Press.
Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit police, fire will make sure Tigers' Opening Day is safe
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Comedian John Oliver to help rename Detroit Tigers' minor-league affiliate
The Detroit Tigers' Double-A affiliate is the Erie SeaWolves. At least they're called that, for now. As announced on the HBO Max's "Last Week Tonight," late-night host John Oliver has chosen the minor league SeaWolves for a major rebrand. Advertisement This effort started on a May 4 episode of the show, where Oliver analyzed the eccentricities of minor league baseball teams and offered a complete rebranding of one organization. "We are willing to use all of our resources and stupidity to give one minor league baseball team a total rebrand. We will give you a new team name. A new mascot. We will even throw you a theme night. It will be personalized and it will be bespoke," he said on the show. CURRENT TIGERS: Detroit Tigers activate catcher Jake Rogers from injured list for Tarik Skubal start According to Oliver, 47 minor league teams contacted the show pitching to be chosen, and at the end the SeaWolves were selected. Advertisement The SeaWolves have not been informed how exactly the show wants to rebrand them according to team president Greg Coleman: "We've had a lot of media inquiries, starting with the local media, and we have to tell them we would also like to know what's going on," he told Benjamin Hill. The SeaWolves have been the Tigers' double-A affiliate since 2001. Before that, they were the affiliated with the Anaheim Angels from 1999-2000 and with the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1995-98 (hence the name SeaWolves and pirate theming). You can reach Christian at cromo@ This story was updated to add a gallery. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: John Oliver offer to rename Erie SeaWolves, Detroit Tigers' affiliate
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Detroit Tigers' Colt Keith is going to play third base. Here's what it means
CHICAGO — The Detroit Tigers continue to search for an answer at third base. For more than a year, the Tigers avoided playing Colt Keith at third base because of a labrum injury in his right shoulder suffered during his time in the minor leagues. The injury didn't require surgery but limited his throwing arm, leading the Tigers to play him at second base in 2024 and first base in 2025. Advertisement Winning changes everything. Celebrate Father's Day with our commemorative Tigers book! The Tigers are now willing to play Keith at third base, as he has received practice reps there recently. The 23-year-old is available to play third base — effective Wednesday, June 4. If all goes well, Keith could settle in as the primary third baseman, which would fill a gaping hole for the Tigers. "We're curious about how we can maximize this roster," manager A.J. Hinch said before Wednesday's game. "I don't know that it will be something that is primary, or I don't know that it's something you're going to see a lot of, but there are a lot of times during games — as we do use our whole roster — where being able to put him over there could be very advantageous." Advertisement ON THE FARM: Tigers prospect Bryce Rainer suffers right shoulder injury in Low-A Lakeland Detroit Tigers second baseman Colt Keith (33) hits a single during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on Friday, May 30, 2025. Keith suffered the shoulder injury June 9, 2022, in High-A West Michigan — diving back into first base while on the bases. He missed four months. He also tweaked the same shoulder during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, both while diving for a ball on defense, but he avoided the injured list. He hasn't played third base since Sept. 5, 2023, in Triple-A Toledo. Keith made his MLB debut in 2024. President of baseball operations Scott Harris — who signed Keith to a six-year, $28.6 million contract in January 2024 before Keith had made his MLB debut — moved Keith to second to "save a little bit of the load on his arm," but he also said the Tigers weren't "closing the door on third base at all." Advertisement The door appears wide open in June 2025. "Just giving him different looks on ground balls," Hinch said. "He used to play third base a little bit, so it's not that foreign to him. You may see him there from time to time. We'll see." WEDNESDAY'S NOTEBOOK: Tigers scratch Kerry Carpenter with hamstring tightness: 'Just being cautious' The Tigers have a logjam on the right side of the infield: The success of Spencer Torkelson at first base and Gleyber Torres at second leave the Tigers with no choice but to put Keith at designated hitter. That forces Kerry Carpenter — whom the Tigers would prefer at designated hitter to protect his health — to spend a majority of his time in right field, thus limiting opportunities for Wenceel Pérez and Justyn-Henry Malloy. Advertisement More importantly, the Tigers need improved offensive production at third base. Tigers third basemen rank 29th with a .548 OPS, with Zach McKinstry, Andy Ibáñez, Javier Báez and Jace Jung responsible for those results. (Tigers shortstops also rank 20th in MLB, with a .626 OPS.) Keith could be the solution at third, as he's hitting .244 with four home runs, 22 walks and 42 strikeouts in 55 games, posting a .722 OPS. So far, he has started 18 games at second base, 18 games at designated hitter and 12 games at first base. The bad news: Keith's arm strength ranks in the 15th percentile among MLB players — only slightly better than Torres, whom the Tigers won't even consider at third base. [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Advertisement How soon could Keith play third base? "Could see him tonight," Hinch said, just hours before Wednesday's game. Is he ready? "I don't know if he's ready or not," Hinch said, "but if the game leads me that way, I'm going to put him there because of the situations that we're trying to win games. In a perfect world, he gets a few more reps of practice, but I'm willing to do anything to try to put these guys in a good position." The Tigers aren't worried about Keith's shoulder, despite his injury history. His shoulder is expected to hold up at the hot corner. "The injuries have happened on dives," Hinch said. "We can put him anywhere. He's got more than enough arm strength. He's done a ton of work. His maintenance program is incredible. The injuries are unassociated to what position he's playing." Advertisement Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers open door for Colt Keith to play third base in 2025
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Andy Ibáñez struggling vs lefties. That's a big problem for Detroit Tigers
CHICAGO — Andy Ibáñez is here for one reason. The 32-year-old right-handed hitter occupies a spot on the Detroit Tigers' roster to hit left-handed pitchers, a platoon role he's held for three seasons. When a lefty starts, he's near the top of the lineup, and when a lefty reliever enters, he's typically the first pinch-hitter off the bench. Advertisement One problem: Ibáñez isn't hitting lefties anymore. "That's his job," manager A.J. Hinch said. "We need to get him going because it's a big part of how we counter the way that teams attack us." Celebrate Father's Day and the Tigers with our new book! Andy Ibanez of the Detroit Tigers hits an RBI single against the Cleveland Guardians to drive in Gleyber Torres during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sunday, May 25, 2025. NEW POSITION: Tigers' Colt Keith is going to play third base. Here's what it means Since July 21, 2024, Ibáñez is hitting .200 with a .578 OPS against left-handed pitchers across 136 plate appearances. He has hit just two home runs off lefties — and three total — during the disappointing 319-day stretch. It's a steep drop from his previous production. Advertisement "Recently, it has been a struggle," Ibáñez said in Spanish, interpreted by team employee Carlos Guillén. "I haven't performed as expected. They brought me in and used me in the role that I've been told that they're going to use me, but I have not performed the way they wanted or the way I wanted." Before that slump, Ibáñez had been a reliable weapon against lefties, hitting .310 with 13 homers and an .858 OPS across his first 347 plate appearances against them in his five-year MLB career, which began in May 2021. "We believe in him," Hinch said. [ MUST LISTEN: Make "Days of Roar" your go-to Detroit Tigers podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ] Advertisement Ibáñez showed frustration in the sixth inning Tuesday, June 3, with the Tigers trailing the White Sox by one run. When the White Sox summoned left-handed reliever Cam Booser to face left-handed hitter Kerry Carpenter, Hinch countered by pinch-hitting Ibáñez — the exact matchup he's on the roster to win. Remember, Ibáñez is supposed to be a lefty-killer. He struck out swinging, then shouted in frustration on his way back to the dugout. "Andy takes it personal," said Hinch, who pinch-hit Ibáñez for Carpenter against Booser again Thursday, June 5, resulting in another strikeout, "and he should because he loves to compete. It's not going great for him right now." Advertisement ON THE FARM: Tigers prospect Bryce Rainer suffers right shoulder injury in Low-A Lakeland Ibáñez already diagnosed the reason for the problem. It's the timing of his swing mechanics. "That's why I haven't been getting the contact that I've been looking for," Ibáñez said. "It's when I'm charging forward with my left foot. That switches the balance of my body. If that goes late, everything goes late." The next step is to fix the problem, which Ibáñez is trying to do with hitting coaches Michael Brdar, Keith Beauregard and Lance Zawadzki before games. He has been putting the ball in play and limiting strikeouts, both encouraging signs in pursuit of better results, but his contact quality needs significant improvement. Advertisement Ibáñez has one minor-league option remaining, which gives the Tigers flexibility to send him to Triple-A Toledo if they decide he needs a reset. He could eventually be replaced by Justyn-Henry Malloy, who previously hit .260 with a .773 OPS against lefties at the MLB level this season. For now, though, the Tigers are sticking with Ibáñez as their weapon against left-handed pitchers. He's handling the struggles like a professional. "Keep coming every day with a positive attitude," said Ibáñez, who played the hero in last year's wild-card series sweep of the Houston Astros, delivering a clutch pinch-hit double off left-handed reliever Josh Hader. "My thing is just to come here, work in the cages with the coaches and do my best." Advertisement Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@ or follow him @EvanPetzold. Listen to our weekly Tigers show "Days of Roar" every Monday afternoon on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at Order your copy of 'Roar of 125: The Epic History of the Detroit Tigers!' by the Free Press at This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tigers' Andy Ibáñez struggling in role vs lefties. That's a problem
