Baseball players can practice for the big leagues on a new field at Detroit's historic "Corner".
With the opening of the new Major League Baseball season coming next week, youth baseball players can now play on the same field once patrolled by Hall of Famers such as Ty Cobb, Harry Heilmann, Hal Newhouser, Al Kaline and Alan Trammell.
The Corner Ballpark, part of a new $21-million headquarters for the Detroit Police Athletic League, was dedicated Saturday, at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Aves in the historic Corktown neighbourhood. The Detroit Tigers played on the site from 1896 to 1999, when they moved to their current home at Comerica Park.
The park was formally christened by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Police Chief James Craig and former U.S. Senator Carl Levin.
The field itself is named after former Tigers outfielder Willie Horton, according to the Detroit News. A new grandstand seats several thousand people while the adjoining building houses banquet facilities and the Detroit PAL headquarters. PAL is a non-profit group providing mentoring opportunities between area youngsters and the Detroit Police Department.
The dimensions of the historic playing field itself remain in place, with the only difference being that the grass is now artificial turf. The flag pole in centre field, which has been there since Tiger Stadium's heyday and was considered "in play", remains, visible from traffic on nearby I-75.
Countless southwestern Ontario baseball fans traveled over the border to see the Tigers play at what began as Bennett Park. The original grandstand was built in 1912 and called Navin Field, after the Tigers' owner at the time. It was expanded over the years and renamed Briggs Stadium in 1938, then Tiger Stadium in 1961 until the team moved out.
There were several proposals to redevelop the land and preserve the field. One was an idea by the late Tigers radio broadcaster Ernie Harwell to preserve part of the original grandstand and field for a baseball museum. When no deal could be reached on what to do with the property, the stadium was torn down in 2009.
The site was also rumoured to be considered for a new arena for the Detroit Red Wings, who eventually began play at Little Caesars Arena in October 2017.
The public has a chance to see the new ballpark for themselves on Sunday from 10am to 3pm. The concourses will be open and feature menu offerings from Corktown restaurants. The field is also hosting an Opening Day watch party for the Tigers' season opener Thursday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
