Detroit Opening Arms To World Series Visitors
DETROIT (AP) - Work is under way in Detroit to welcome visitors coming to town for baseball's World Series.
Banners that will hang downtown and welcome signs for Detroit Metropolitan Airport and storefronts are being printed, the Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau said Friday. Buttons also are being created and volunteer ambassadors for the city are being coordinated.
The Tigers defeated the New York Yankees Thursday to advance to the World Series. It is Detroit's second World Series appearance since 2006.
"The World Series is the biggest national marquee event that Detroit has hosted since the Frozen Four in 2010 and we're ready to prove to the world once again that Detroit is the sports capital," said Dave Beachnau, executive director of the Detroit Sports Commission.
The best-of-seven series starts Wednesday in St. Louis or San Francisco and shifts to Detroit next weekend.
Federal, state and local police agencies in and around Detroit also are expected early next week to discuss security strategies heading into the series.
"We do not anticipate any problems, but we will be meeting with our law enforcement partners," said Sgt. Eren Stephens, Detroit police spokeswoman. The meeting had been scheduled Friday, but was postponed.
Detroit has successfully hosted a number of national sporting events over the past few years, including Major League Baseball's All-Star game in 2005 and the NFL's Super Bowl in 2006.
College hockey's Frozen Four was held downtown in 2010 and the NCAA men's basketball championship was played there in 2009.
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