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Jim Harbaugh to coach Detroit Tigers in spring training game

By Patrick Schmidt

Jun 30, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh shakes hands with Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) after he throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 30, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh shakes hands with Detroit Tigers manager Brad Ausmus (7) after he throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jim Harbaugh is headed to the baseball diamond to coach a few innings for the Detroit Tigers in a spring training game with the Michigan Wolverines in Florida for spring practices at IMG Academy.

By now, you’ve heard all the stuff about Jim Harbaugh taking his Michigan football team to Bradenton to take part in some spring practices on the campus of high school powerhouse IMG Academy.

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The decision to hold practices during Michigan’s spring break caused a stir among the SEC and ACC who took objection to Michigan invading their territory where they have a decided recruiting advantage compared to their northern counterparts. The big problem, which could result in a new rule by the NCAA, is not that Michigan traveled to Florida to practice, but they’re practicing during the school’s spring break when students should be enjoying some down time.

In any event, Michigan and Harbaugh is en route to Florida today and added an item to his itinerary because he’s going to throw out the first pitch and coach first base for the Detroit Tigers during a spring training game on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Harbaugh is so popular that Pirates head coach Clint Hurdle, a noted Michigan fan, could campaign for Harbaugh to switch uniforms and switch sides and coach an inning or two for the Pirates as well.

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This isn’t the first spin for Harbaugh on the diamond as a coach as he did the same last year for the Oakland Athletics when he was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers.

“I wanted to be a baseball player,” Harbaugh told reporters, via the Detroit News. “I really wanted to be a Major League shortstop or a pitcher or a catcher. Be a big leaguer.”

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