Major League Baseball Begins
Have you ever wondered how Spring Training works for Major league Baseball?
In just a week or so, Major League Baseball players will begin reporting to their respective training camps spread out across Arizona and Florida. With opening day being April 1st, players spend roughly 50 days away from their home preparing for the season. MLB’s spring training is split into 2 leagues, the Cactus league in Arizona, and the Grapefruit League in Florida.
This is a time for young and new players to get a chance to prove themselves in front of their organizations. So many Major League players never actually make it too the majors, as many of them get caught up in the large minor league system. However, Spring training gives the stars time to rest, and younger players an opportunity to get recognized. With games starting the last weekend of February, and going up until just 3 days before March, this gives teams many chances to try out new players.
As for the players many fans already know, they spend most of the time during camp conditioning and getting healthier each and every day while in the sunshine states. Most of the big-name players don’t get playing time in Cactus and Grapefruit league games until the last week or two before the season begins.
Spring Training is always a great experience for fans to attend. The weather is always beautiful in Arizona and Florida during this time of the year, and the ticket prices for spring training games are extremely affordable. Since the more popular players aren’t always playing during these games, they always take time to meet and interact with fans during these games. Spring training is fun, affordable, and a great experience for any family that likes Major League Baseball.
Heading into the 2023 season, coming off of a postseason dominated by the American league’s Houston Astros, some would say they are the clear favorites to win again this season. One under the radar team in my opinion is the Chicago Cubs, as they made some big signings this offseason. Some of the names going to the Northside of the windy city include Trey Mancini, Dansby Swanson, and Eric Hosmer. Some of the more clear-cut teams to be one of the best in the league is the usual, New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers. All three of these large market teams always have some of the best ballplayers on their roster and look to bring another ring back to their city.
The 2023 season looks to be filled with more safety for the players than ever before, and keeping the constant complaints that watching Baseball is “Boring” at an all-time low. New rules coming to the league include a pitch clock, which ensure that the game will move along quickly and smoothly without many delays. If pitchers do not pitch the ball in time, there will be a penalty added to the count of the at bat. Another new addition to the league is making the bases bigger. This gives the baserunners more safety as they turn the corner of bases and may even make some of the leagues fastest players even more aggressive. Major League Baseball looks to have another fun, safe, and successful season this year.
