Spring Training allows teams to practice before the regular season of baseball. It’s a great way for a fan to see a game at an inexpensive price. Spring training games are also the first time that new players can show off their baseball skills with their new team and show crowds what they can do.
When Is It?
Spring Training usually begins in February and lasts until around the first week in April. Each year it does fluctuate based on when the Opening Day of the regular season begins. Some teams that do not play on Opening Day will have a Spring Training game on the same day as a way to get in some extra practice.
How It Works
Teams that play a game in Florida throughout some point in the regular season will have Spring Training in Florida. During Spring Training these teams are part of what is called the Grapefruit League. For those that will play at least one game in Arizona during the regular season, they will have their Spring Training games in Arizona and are known as the Cactus League.
Where Games Are Played
There are a few places where individuals can go watch a Spring Training game or two. In Florida, the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter as well as the Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers are popular spots to catch a Spring Training game. The Salt River Fields Stadium at Talking Stick Complex holds quite a few of the Spring Training games for the Cactus league. There are currently 10 stadiums in Arizona that hold Spring Training games and 13 stadiums in Florida.
Fun Facts:
-The Salt River Fields stadium is actually located on an Indian reservation.
-The first Spring Training game took place in the 1800s. These games were just played for fun and they didn’t become a significant part of baseball until 1910.
-It doesn’t matter how well a team does during Spring Training games because they have no impact on the regular season. They are strictly used as a way for the teams to practice and do not contribute to an MLB record.
-During Spring Training there are 15 teams that play in each state for a total of around 28 games.
-Sometimes MLB teams will play against college teams during Spring Training.
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