Detroit Tigers Clinic Brings Fans and Players Together

An absolutely beautiful weekend for baseball in Detroit brought an average of 40,000 fans for a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to Comerica Park to see their favorite ball club, the Detroit Tigers.

An excited and optimistic crowd filed into Friday's game with the taste of victory still on its lips from the Tigers’ successful three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers earlier in the week.

Simply stated, Detroit fans are simply the greatest fans to attend sporting events in Detroit. They have shown time and time again, whether winning or losing, they are still behind their respective teams, no matter what happens.

The day was filled with wide-eyed children at the ballpark for the first time to mainstay season ticket holders walking and talking with pride.

And let's not forget the "bleacher creatures" who share legitimate concerns about the team with total strangers who are more than eager to listen, making them the expert baseball analysts of the day. Those whose opinions always seem to be right on with what is going on at the time.

Detroit fans are simply the best there are.

Friday night's game brought fans to their feet several times as the Tigers had plenty of opportunities to claim the lead going into the late innings, but fell just short dropping the first game 4-3.

On the way out of the game, the fans were more concerned with the Detroit Pistons loss to the Philadelphia 76ers than Gary Sheffield just missing a grand slam home run that would have given the Tigers the lead going into the eighth inning.

These fans know there is a tomorrow for the Detroit Tigers.

Game two of the series drew approximately 42,000 and some change on a swirling, windy Saturday at the ballpark.

The on-field clinic is always a special event for kids and adults alike.

The on-field clinic allows for fans to walk out onto the field and participate and learn about different categories of baseball, such as base running, fielding, hitting, pitching, and catching.

Coaches and players explained how to throw, field, run, give signs, steal bases, and hit. Then they would answer questions about their related lessons.

I was there and can honestly say I was quite giddy and felt like a little kid dreaming of playing in the big leagues all over again.

I am quite sure the folks around me felt the same way as they grinned ear-to-ear and snapped pictures of players while listening intently as the coaches and players gave their time back to the fans of Detroit.

Curtis Granderson (always a favorite of kids and parents) instructed the fans on hitting with the help of coach Lloyd McLlendon.

Afterwards, the questions to Curtis were mostly about his health. Curtis stated his hand felt stronger than before and it was his legs that were fatigued and his allergies were flaring up.

Andy Van Slyke was tutoring the kids about base running with the help of Ryan Raburn.

Ramon Santiago and coach Rafael Belliard gave instruction on fielding and all the while fans looked on in amazement and amusement.

As I walked upon the very grass that most Major League star outfielders have roamed, I could not help but notice the awed look on people's faces, including my friend's (which I treated to the game) as they looked into the stands from inside the park.

Jason Grilli and Chuck Hernandez showed how to grip the baseball when throwing various types of pitches.

Kids were encouraged and nudged into participation by their parents.

If you have never been to an on-field clinic in your home ballpark, I would highly recommend it. The memories, wonderment, and emotions of being on the field with the players and coaches come washing over you like a rip-tide, and you have to suppress the outbursts of elation for fear of embarrassment.

But there is no reason for that. If you look around you, everyone feels the same way you do. It's an amazing atmosphere!

The game proved to be a good one for Detroit as a standing ovation for newcomer Armando Galarraga greeted him as he took the mound for the Tigers.

Some timely hitting for Magglio Ordonez and Placido Polanco gave the Tigers the victory 6-4.

Game three reminded the Tigers just how tough this Angels ball club is with players like Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero rising to the occasion all weekend.

The Tiger bats were tamed by the excellent pitching of Jared Weaver, and a very solid bullpen. A quality start for Justin Verlander wasn't enough as the Tigers’ hitting was gone again for the Tiger ace.

The Tigers lost the rubber-match 6-2.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

The Tigers need to start scoring earlier in the game to give their starting pitching the confidence they need to win ball games. The hits need to keep coming with runners in scoring position.

I think they need to sit down Sheffield and Guillen so they can heal up while Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames come in and pick up the slack while they get healthy.

The Tigers are still managing to stay in the thick of things, despite their slow 2-12 start and the starting pitching will come around with the hitting.

With the 1994 baseball strike and the steroid parade ruining the game for some fans, a trip to the ball park can wipe away those painful memories as we see honest and hard-working players of today fulfilling their dreams.

It's a new era and a new season for players and fans alike.

Baseball is alive and well in Detroit. Come and see for yourself.