TigerFest had traditionally been a signal to fans that Spring Training was around the cornertigers
The Tigers' annual TigerFest will "not be taking place" this winter for the "first time in 25 years," according to Anthony Fenech of the DETROIT FREE PRESS. In its place, the club is "planning a summer version of the event at Comerica Park." The club said the decision to switch seasons was "based on fan feedback." TigerFest, which typically occurs in the second half of January, had "traditionally been a signal that spring training was soon approaching." The two biggest factors in switching the event from winter to summer were "likely the weather ... and the team's poor performance on the field over the past few seasons." After posting the worst record in the majors (47-114) for the second time in three seasons, the attendance outlook for this year's TigerFest also "may have been a concern." The club is "low on recognizable players and charging money to stand in the cold for autographs was a tough sell" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 1/4). In Michigan, Evan Woodbery wrote Tigers fans have "mixed feelings" about the club's decision. In an unscientific Twitter poll, Woodberry found out of 790 votes, 61.4% thought TigerFest "should remain a winter event," while 38.6% "preferred the summer option" (MLIVE.com, 1/5).
