March 2019

Ugandan lives improved by efforts in Lakeland, Detroit

Mar 20, 2019 | Baseball, Newsletter, Other

Ugandan survivors of the child sex trade may never come to the United States, let alone Polk County. However, a chance encounter between a Detroit Tigers pitcher and a member of the Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing staff may make their life a little better. A...

RussMatt umpires, like players, come from around the country

Mar 18, 2019 | Baseball, Other

The RussMatt Central Florida Invitational brings more than just college baseball teams – and their fans – from every corner of the country to Central Florida. Considering the event is more than 270 teams playing well over 1,000 games, the event requires that the most...

Celebrate 50 years of ‘The Love Bug’

Mar 11, 2019 | Other

Men were walking on the moon, “Scooby Doo” and “The Brady Bunch” both premiered on television and a certain sentient sedan ruled the box office. Believe it or not, it has been 50 years since the release of the movie “The Love Bug.” Since then, Herbie the pugnacious...

More than 270 teams for RussMatt

Mar 4, 2019 | Other

Hail, hail, the games are all here. Baseball games, that is. With the return of the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational, Polk County can rightly lay claim to being the baseball capital of the world – at least for a month. With more than 270 teams playing more than...

Quidditch championship returns to Auburndale

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Quaffles, bludgers and a Golden Snitch or two were all on the field as muggles took part in the South Regional Championship for US Quidditch (USQ) at Lake Myrtle Park in Auburndale Feb. 16 and 17. Teams from around the state of Florida as well as South Carolina took...

VIC enjoys Spring Training event

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The Tigers aren’t the only ones to enjoy Spring Training. There were long lines and anxious visitors, but this crowd wasn’t trying to get into Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium – they were trying to get into the Central Florida Visitors Information Center. The...

Tigers event sellout

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Another chapter was added in the long and storied relationship between the City of Lakeland, Polk County and the Detroit Tigers through two successful annual events. The 73rd annual Tigers BBQ, presented by Rodda Construction, was held Feb. 20 at Publix Field at Joker...

First of Run 863 series in the books

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Continuing the celebration of the 90th anniversary of Bok Tower, Carillon Classic went off without a hitch on Saturday, Feb. 23. The race is the first in the four-race Run 863 Series. For the second consecutive year more than 350 runners took to one what many consider...