Look Out, the Tigers are on the Prowl
Yesterday, the Detroit Tigers faced the New York Yankees at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland. The Tigers lost 11-7, however all 9,660 fans saw a good game. I had hoped the Yankees were going to bring either Alex Rodriguez or Derek Jeter, but since the Yankees also had a split squad game in Tampa against the Tampa Bay Rays, they decided to bring five of their other starters, including: Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, Robinson Cano, Jason Giambi, and Joba Chamberlain. Nevertheless, the day was a success because we set a new Joker Marchant Stadium attendance record.
The spring training season has gone very well, thus far. I have had the opportunity to meet a number of Tigers employees, including: the president/CEO/general manager, vice president of communications, director of baseball operations, director of baseball media relations, manager of baseball media relations, and more. I have had the opportunity to ask them about their previous jobs and how they been so successful. I really enjoy working the scoreboard during the games. I am able to watch the sport I love, and I feel fortunate to watch some of the world’s best baseball players right in front of me.
When the Tigers are away or off, I normally prepare for their next home game by developing graphics for each player of the visiting team. These graphics are used when a player is introduced over the public address system. As I mentioned in my previous blog, I also develop graphics for our marquee. I build one graphic that contains the logo of the visiting team and the Tigers, the day of the game, and the time. Next, I build a graphic that once again displays both teams, but with the sponsor of the game. Once I began to use the software to build the graphics, it was not easy. After using the software consistently, I now understand it better. Before I include the logos of each team, I use a program called Adobe Photoshop to resize each logo. Prior to my internship, I had never used Photoshop. Now, I use it daily.
The New Marquee at Tiger Town
The Tigers are not the only team playing at Tiger Town. The Tigers affiliates, or minor league teams, are also training and playing at the complex as well. Needless to say, the complex has been very busy. In less than two weeks, the spring training season will be over and the Flying Tigers season will begin. The atmosphere in Joker Marchant Stadium and around the Tiger Town complex will be very different. Our crowds will be considerably smaller and the complex will be much quieter. Until then, I will continue to enjoy each moment of the spring training season.