Play Ball! New Security Procedures for Detroit Tigers’ Opening Day

Opening Day for the Detroit Tigers is less than a week away – March 31 – and fans will be subjected to new security procedures before they can enter Comercia Park.

The Tigers announced that metal detectors are being installed at all entry gates and access points and all fans will be screened, the Detroit Free Press reports. All Major League Baseball parks are required to implement a screening process by the end of 2015.

“This initiative is another step in our enhanced guest security and safety measures,” Mike Healy, vice president of ballpark operations, said in a released statement. “Safety is paramount and we want to strike a balance between safety and customer convenience. Most importantly, we are being proactive to ensure we create as safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment as we can. Statistically, walking through metal detectors allow for guests to enter more quickly and effectively into the ballpark than hand wands.”

The Tigers recommend that ticket holders arrive early to allow ample time for this new security procedure. Gates will open at 5 p.m. for 7:08 p.m. games, 11 a.m. for 1:08 p.m. starts and 2 p.m. for 4:08 p.m. games, the newspaper said.

Here are some other things you need to know:

• Fans should arrive early to avoid a longer wait to enter the ballpark.
• All bags will be checked, as they have in the past.
• Bags must comply with MLB standards of 16"x16"x8" to be admitted to the ballpark.
• Guests should remove keys, mobile phones and other items from their pockets before walking through the metal detectors. Guests who opt out of the walk-through detector screening will be subject to a handheld metal detector screening or an alternative screening procedure.
• Guests cannot enter the ballpark from the outside doors of the Beer Hall or the Labatt Blue Light Jungle.

The following items will be allowed after inspection:

• All bags and purses.
• Baseball mitts and gloves.
• Bags smaller than 16”x16”x8” (including soft-sided coolers, backpacks and diaper bags (bags with rigid interior or exterior frame will not be allowed).
• Binoculars.
• Blankets
• Cameras and videos (tri-, uni- or mono-pods are prohibited)
• Drink boxes for guests with children in their party or who have medical needs.
• Factory sealed bottles of unflavored water.
• Individual portion-sized food or snacks (outside food is not allowed in suites)
• Headphones.
• Plastic baby bottles if guests have a child in their party.
• Seat cushions.
• Small radios.
• Strollers (umbrella-type that folds up and will fit underneath the seat, large strollers may be checked at Guest Services).
• Umbrellas (large golf umbrellas and umbrellas with metal tips are strongly discouraged).

• Aerosol cans (hairspray, mace, pepper spray, etc.).
• Animals (except certified service animals or service animals in training).
• Bags larger than 16”x16”x8”.
• Baseball bats of any size.
• Beach balls or other inflatable items.
• Beverages (except juice boxes for children in a party or for medical needs).
• Glass or plastic bottles (with the exception of factory sealed clear bottles of unflavored water).
• Brooms.
• Fireworks, firearms, knives or weapons of any kind.
• Fishing nets or poles.
• Framed backpacks.
• Frisbees.
• Hard-sided coolers.
• Illegal drugs or substances of any kinds.
• Laser devices/pointers.
• Liquid containers (glass or plastic with the exception of factory sealed clear bottles of unflavored water).
• Markers or paint.
• Masks (faces cannot be covered up).
• Noisemaking devices (air horns bullhorns, thunder sticks, cowbells, bells, horns, kazoos, whistles, and other noisemakers).
• Non-baseball related signs.
• Objects that can be used as missiles or projectiles: sticks, bats, clubs, Frisbees, beach balls.
• Obscene or indecent clothing.
• Skateboards or rollerblades.
• Squirt guns, including super soakers.
• Sticks, including signs attached to sticks.
• Stools, folding chairs, stools or back supports.