“Spring training means flowers, people coming outdoors, sunshine, optimism, and baseball. Spring training is a time to think about being young again.” ~ Ernie Banks
Four magic words have brightened my day, “Pitchers and Catchers Report.” I am sitting in Lockport, Illinois with an expected (and very unseasonable) high of 50 degrees today, but it’s still not really “baseball weather”. We are experiencing a “false spring”. So those four magic words have brought an incredible amount of joy to my heart.
The reporting schedule looks like this.
Arizona Cactus League:
February 15th Pitchers and Catchers - February 20th Full Squad First Workout:
Arizona Diamondbacks - Chicago Cubs - Chicago White Sox - Cincinnati Reds Colorado Rockies - Kansas City Royals - Los Angeles Angels - Oakland Athletics Texas Rangers.
February 16th Pitchers and Catchers - February 20th Full Squad First Workout:
Los Angeles Dodgers
February 16th Pitchers and Catchers - February 21st Full Squad First Workout:
Milwaukee Brewers - San Diego Padres - San Francisco Giants - Seattle Mariners
February 17th Pitchers and Catchers - February 21st Full Squad First Workout:
Cleveland Guardians
(Stock Photo. Found on the internet. Assuming Public Domain.)
Florida Grapefruit League:
February 15th Pitchers and Catchers - February 20th Full Squad First Workout:
Boston Red Sox - Detroit Tigers - New York Mets - Pittsburg Pirates - St. Louis Cardinals – Tampa Bay Rays
February 15th Pitchers and Catchers - February 21st Full Squad First Workout:
Washington Nationals
February 16h Pitchers and Catchers - February 20th Full Squad First Workout:
Minnesota Twins - New York Yankees
February 16th Pitchers and Catchers - February 21st Full Squad First Workout:
Atlanta Braves - Baltimore Orioles - Houston Astros - Miami Marlins - Philadelphia Phillies Toronto Blue Jays
Each team will give normal physicals and get started on throwing and fielding drills. As the position players arrive, general drills will increase, the position specific drills will be added as well as the conditioning routines and finally spring training games will start. This all leads up to that glorious day of the opening games. The baseball cycle has begun.
I’m sure there will still be wind chills and temperatures non-conducive for playing baseball outside; but my heart is warmed, my enthusiasm is high, my anticipation is peaked, and all is right with my world. Spring in the Midwest is still a few weeks off, but hope abounds, BASEBALL SPRING TRAINING has begun.
Spring, a time when the weather gets warmer, the days get “longer”, and life begins again. Baseball starts in the spring, coincidence, I think not!
Enjoy!
~ Coach Mike
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I’m very happy for you my dear friend. With all the rule changes I’ve kind of set it aside. But I’m glad you still enjoy! Hugs.