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⚾️ Hey, batter batter.
Henley Field, 1965: Sun, packed bleachers, and the early chapters of Lakeland’s long love story with Major League Baseball. | Photo via the Lakeland Public Library
It’s that time of year: Spring Training is back in Lakeland.
The Detroit Tigers’ 90th Spring Training season — and 61st consecutive season in Lakeland — is now underway at Joker Marchant Stadium. Before you grab your ball caps, here’s how Lakeland and Detroit pitched a tissue-worthy love story.
Lakeland welcomed the Cleveland Indians in spring 1924, launching a partnership that put the city on the map for baseball’s spring training.
Detroit has called Lakeland its second home for 90 years, making it the longest-standing relationship between a team and its host spring city in the Major Leagues and one of the richest in MLB history.
1923 | Lakeland’s first love: The Cleveland Indians arrived to train at Henley Field and brought an economic boom to the city. In 1927, the Indians and Lakeland parted ways.
1934 | The meet-cute: Lakeland invited the Detroit Tigers to come train for a year, trying to fill a baseball-sized economic hole in its heart. Before meeting, Detroit had trained at 10 sites. The team ended up signing a 37-year contract to stay in LAL.
From minor injuries to traumas, LRH keeps kids calm, safe, and cared for. | Photo provided by Lakeland Regional Health
Lakeland Regional Health’s George W. Jenkins Children’s Emergency Department is the only dedicated children’s ER in Polk County, located in the Carol Jenkins Barnett Pavilion for Women and Children.
The department delivers top-quality care in a kid-friendly environment, including:
Expert care from specially trained physicians, nurses, and staff
A calming, child-focused atmosphere
BRAVE Program support for children with sensory disorders
“Families can trust their child is in the right place,” says Dr. Charles Eldridge, pediatric emergency medicine director at the Children’s ER.
Atlanta-based PulteGroup Inc. acquired 130 homesites in the Hawthorne Ranch master-planned community, marking the national homebuilder’s first foray into Lakeland. Developers aim to offer homes in the mid-$300,000 range. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Speaking of neighbors, Brandon High School’s band will perform at the Daytona 500 this weekend. Catch the crew at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15 — tickets are still available, if you’re up for a road trip. (Tampa Bay 28)
Today Is
Friday the 13th, a day that has been long associated with bad luck. We hope it doesn’t impact you. Research shows, however, that superstitions like these definitely impact black cats, who are less likely to be adopted than other felines. Ayla at the SPCA Florida needs a home. (History.com)
Travel
You might have a few fewer nonstop options from Tampa International Airport this summer. Breeze Airways, Air Canada, and WestJet have canceled seasonal flights to Orange County and Vancouver due to declines in travel demand. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Holiday
Roses are red, violets are blue… how much will Valentine’s Day florals cost you? The average price of a dozen roses from a florist in Florida is $84, according to a new FinanceBuzz study. But if the way to their heart is through their stomach, these local lunch deals will do the trick for way less.
Community
We love our readers — this Valentine’s Day and always. Your thank-you emails pour in each week, often asking how you can support us. In this season of love, consider making a contribution to support our team and power local storytelling.
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Biz
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Scale your business without scaling your costs thanks to T-Mobile. | Photo provided by T-Mobile
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Are you following the Floridian athletes competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics? Some of them, like Tampa Paralympian Declan Farmer + Ocala Olympian Erin Jackson, are already raking in gold medals.
