Flying Tigers Kick Off Weekend Series With Thirsty Thursday – June 11

The Lakeland Flying Tigers return to Joker Marchant Stadium for a four-game series with the Sarasota Reds June 11-14. The series kicks off on Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 PM with the gates to Marchant Stadium opening at 6:00 PM. Thursday is Flying Tigers USO Night. Fans can enjoy $1 beers and sodas while the Flying Tigers will be celebrating USO night and the team will play in their special camo jerseys.
The series continues on Friday, June 12 at 7:00 PM. The first 500 paid adults 15 and over will receive a Flying Tigers Mark “The Bird” Fidrych T-Shirt sponsored by Team Hammer. Kids eat free at all Friday home games as well. All kids 14 and under will receive a free hot dog, soda and bag of chips with paid admission.
Fidrych was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 10th round of the 1974 amateur draft and pitched for the Lakeland Tigers in 1975. He pitched in 17 games for Lakeland and compiled a 5-9 record with a 3.77 ERA. He allowed only 111 hits in 117.0 innings pitched. Only one season later in 1976 at the age of 21, Fidrych became a baseball and pop culture phenomenon. He would win American League Rookie of the Year honors after winning 19 games and leading the American League with a 2.34 EAR and 24 complete games. He was an American League All-Star selection and finished second in the Cy Young award voting.
Game three of the series will be on Saturday, June 13. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 PM with the gates opening at 5:00 PM. Following the game will be a spectacular post fireworks show sponsored by The Ledger. The Flying Tigers will also be celebrating 80’s Night throughout the game.

The series concludes on Sunday, June 14 at 1:00 PM with gates opening at noon. Sunday is Family Fun Day. All kids 14 and under will receive free admission to the game. Kids can also play catch on the field before the game and run the bases after the game (weather permitting). All fans will receive a voucher for a free sundae compliments of Dairy Queen.
Tickets for the homestand and all home games are available by calling the Flying Tigers at (863) 686-8075. Box seats are $6 and reserved seats are $5 and seniors 55 and over and children 14 and under receive a $1.00 discount. Saturday tickets are an additional $1. Parking is FREE. The Flying Tigers are a Class A Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. For more information please visit the Flying Tigers online at www.LakelandFlyingTigers.com