Detroit Tigers increasing giveaways, special events, fireworks nights

By Bill Shea

Details: Faced with a continued local recession and high unemployment rates, the Detroit Tigers said this week they're expanding the number of promotional giveaways and special events for the upcoming season to lure fans to Comerica Park. There are 31 giveaways and 15 special events planned, which is eight more than 2009. Also, 21 fireworks nights are planned for Friday and Saturday night games, which are two more than last season. Among the promotional highlights scheduled is an interactive Justin Verlander bobblehead that includes a three-digit counter so fans can track his yearly strikeout total. Among other giveaways, some for adults and some just for kids, will be 2010 magnet schedules, breast cancer awareness lapel pins, Brandon Inge replica gloves, Charlie Brown bobbleheads, vintage caps from the 1935 championship team and Miguel Cabrera caps. The team also said it plans to continue its "Every Kid, Every Sunday" free giveaway guarantee, in which all children age 14 and younger get a promotional item on Sundays. A full list of promotions and event dates will be available at tigers.com prior to the individual ticket on-sale date of March 6, the team said in a statement. Detroit finished 86-76 last season, in a tie with the Minnesota Twins, who beat the Tigers in a one-game playoff. Attendance at Comerica Park in 2009 was 2,567,185 (fifth-best year in team history) for an average of 31,693 per game. That was good for 12th in baseball and fifth in the American League.