Signs of Spring: Baseball Spring Training

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Professional baseball unofficially begins with the annual spring training camps. The regular baseball season does not officially begin until Opening Day, which usually occurs the first week of April; however, leading up to that iconic day, there are usually six weeks of training that help determine what the official season of baseball will look like.

Spring training typically lasts six weeks, from mid-February through opening day. The first players to report are pitchers and catchers because pitchers benefit from a longer training period to warm up their arms and get into a rhythm. They usually get a few days ahead of the rest of the team before team practice begins.

Major League Baseball teams conduct their spring training in cities other than their home base. Since 2010, the 30 major league teams have been split with half in Florida and half in Arizona. Teams that hold spring training in Florida are called “Grapefruit League” teams; teams that practice in Arizona are called “Cactus League” teams.

Teams training in Florida will play their exhibition games against the other teams training in Florida regardless of their league affiliation during the regular season. The same goes for teams that hold their workouts in Arizona.

During this time period, teams may play college teams, minor league baseball clubs, intersquad games where one of the major league teams is divided into two groups and play against each other as if they were two separate teams, and split -Team games where the team splits into two and only half of the players will play that particular game.

Although statistics are recorded during spring games, they are not combined with statistics from regular season games, and any record-breaking performances during regular seasons do not qualify if achieved during spring training. However, these statistics are often evaluated when teams look to assign starting roles and roster spots for the start of the regular season.

Below is a list of Major League Baseball teams and where they are currently holding their spring training.

Florida (Grapefruit League)
Atlanta Braves in Orlando, Florida
Cincinnati Reds in Sarasota, Florida
Florida Marlins in Jupiter, Florida
Houston Astros in Kissimmee, Florida
Los Angeles Dodgers in Vero Beach, Florida
New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida
Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Florida
Pittsburgh Pirates in Bradenton, Florida
St. Louis Cardinals in Jupiter, Florida
Washington Nationals in Viera, Florida
Arizona (Cactus League)
Arizona Diamondbacks in Tucson, Arizona
Chicago Cubs in Mesa, Arizona
Colorado Rocky Mountains in Tucson, Arizona
Milwaukee Brewers in Phoenix, Arizona
San Diego Padres in Peoria, Arizona
San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona

A lot of fans enjoy coming to spring training games because it seems to be a bit more of a casual environment and you get to see teams play each other that they wouldn’t play each other in the regular season. Players are also more open to meeting fans and signing autographs. The atmosphere is relaxed and everyone seems to be able to kick back and enjoy themselves during spring training, players and fans alike.

It’s probably no coincidence that both states hosting spring training camps are warm-weather states. Fans love to attend not only for the relaxed atmosphere where they can see their favorite players up close; they can also enjoy the weather and other touristy things to do while there. However, be prepared to shell out some cash, because these games are not free to play, and parking is often paid for as well.

If you’re a baseball fan and can’t wait until the regular season, these spring training games and practices are a wonderful way to get involved in the big game of baseball.

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