Lakeland Tigers
Encyclopedia
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball
team based in Lakeland, Florida
.
Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium
; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers
spring training
home, seats 8,500 fans. It plays in the Florida State League
and has been the High-A affiliate of the Tigers since 1967, one of the two longest unbroken affiliate relationships currently existing. Until November 2006, the team was known as the Lakeland Tigers, with branding similar to the parent club.
The team's new name and colors pay homage to the Lakeland School of Aeronautics, later the Lodwick School of Aeronautics, which trained over 8,000 pilots between 1940 and 1945, some of whom later flew with the Flying Tigers
in China
during World War II
. The school was actually located at the current site of Joker Marchant Stadium.
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
team based in Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Lakeland is a city in Polk County, Florida, United States, located approximately midway between Tampa and Orlando along Interstate 4. According to the 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, the city had a population of 94,406...
.
Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium
Joker Marchant Stadium
Joker Marchant Stadium is a baseball field located in Lakeland, Florida. The stadium, opened in 1966, was renovated in 2002, holds 8,500 people, and was named after local resident and former Parks and Recreation Director, Joker Marchant...
; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
home, seats 8,500 fans. It plays in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
and has been the High-A affiliate of the Tigers since 1967, one of the two longest unbroken affiliate relationships currently existing. Until November 2006, the team was known as the Lakeland Tigers, with branding similar to the parent club.
The team's new name and colors pay homage to the Lakeland School of Aeronautics, later the Lodwick School of Aeronautics, which trained over 8,000 pilots between 1940 and 1945, some of whom later flew with the Flying Tigers
Flying Tigers
The 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1941–1942, famously nicknamed the Flying Tigers, was composed of pilots from the United States Army , Navy , and Marine Corps , recruited under presidential sanction and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault. The ground crew and headquarters...
in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. The school was actually located at the current site of Joker Marchant Stadium.
Current roster