In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play. Spring training has always attracted fan attention, drawing crowds who travel to the warmer climates to enjoy the weather and watch their favorite teams play, and spring training usually coincides with spring break for many college students. -- Wikipedia
(33 images)
In this photo made using a fisheye lens, Milwaukee Brewers players run a drill during a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in Phoenix. AP / Morry Gash
Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt hits inside a batting cage during a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Kissimmee, Fla. AP / David J. Phillip
Atlanta Braves pitchers and catchers stretch during a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Kissimmee, Fla. AP / David J. Phillip
Fans wait for autographs from Atlanta Braves players during a spring training baseball workout Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Kissimmee, Fla. AP / David J. Phillip
Atlanta Braves outfielder Reed Johnson plays baseball with his 3-year-old son Tyce at Champion Stadium in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. Atlanta Journal-Constitution / Hyosub Shin
Miami Marlins pitcher Dan Jennings throws a ball before the official start of spring training baseball, Monday, Feb. 11, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. AP / Julio Cortez
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland practices bunting during a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Surprise, Ariz. AP / Charlie Riedel
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez watches for a pitch as he bats during a spring training baseball workout Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Surprise, Ariz. AP / Charlie Riedel
Rain spots are seen on a baseball glove as St. Louis Cardinals pitchers warm up during spring training baseball, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. The players took advantage of a break in the rain to stretch out, but were forced back into the clubhouse when the rain picked up. AP / Julio Cortez
St. Louis Post-Dispatch photographer Chris Lee, left, photographs St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Rafael Furcal during the team's photo day at spring training baseball, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. AP / Julio Cortez
St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina, left, and shortstop Rafael Furcal use parachutes while running sprinting exercises at spring training baseball, Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. AP / Julio Cortez
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Ryan Ludwick warms up during spring training baseball in Goodyear, Ariz., Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. AP / Paul Sancya
New York Yankees' Nik Turley pitches during a workout at baseball spring training, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. AP / Matt Slocum
New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi watches as players stretch during a workout at baseball spring training, Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, in Tampa. AP / Matt Slocum
New York Yankees' pitchers and catches run sprints through the outfield after a workout at baseball spring training, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Tampa, Fla. AP / Matt Slocum
Philadelphia Phillies' Freddy Galvis practices bunting during a workout at baseball spring training, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, in Clearwater, Fla. AP / Matt Slocum
Joe Vavra, a member of the Minnesota Twins coaching staff, gathers baseballs for a drill during spring training practice at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. Minneapolis Star Tribune / Jerry Holt
Toronto Blue Jays players stretch during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. The Canadian Press / Nathan Denette
Toronto Blue Jays catcher Jack Murphy looks for a pop fly in a drill during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. The Canadian Press / Nathan Denette
Houston Astros pitcher John Ely runs with teammates during a spring training baseball workout Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in Kissimmee, Fla. AP / David J. Phillip
A baseball player picks up a ball during a spring training baseball workout Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Peoria, Ariz. AP / Charlie Riedel
An Oakland Athletics player runs the bases during a spring training baseball workout Monday, Feb. 18, 2013, in Phoenix. AP / Darron Cummings
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman David Freese, left, holds a baseball for a spectator after signing it through a fence during the team's first full squad workout at spring training baseball, Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. AP / Julio Cortez
St. Louis Cardinals pitchers run off a practice field as heavy rain begins to fall during spring training baseball, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Jupiter, Fla. The players spent most of the day inside the clubhouse because of the weather. AP / Julio Cortez
A golden retriever named Scout watches with his owners as pitchers and catchers for the Seattle Mariners participate in a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Peoria, Ariz. AP / Charlie Riedel
Toronto Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia catches a pitch from pitcher R.A. Dickey during baseball spring training in Dunedin, Fla., on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013. The Canadian Press / Nathan Denette
A San Francisco Giants coach holds a catchers mitt full of baseballs during a spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. AP / Darron Cummings
San Francisco Giants' Andres Torres runs a drill during an unofficial spring training baseball workout Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. AP / Darron Cummings
San Francisco Giants fan Lotus Belle-Glover waits for an autograph during a spring training baseball workout Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. AP / Darron Cummings
In this photo taken with a fisheye lens, New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis hits batting practice during spring training baseball, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. AP / Julio Cortez
The wedding ring of Mary Schaefer, of Maine, is seen as she and other spectators watch the New York Mets during the team's first pitchers and catchers workout at spring training baseball, Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, in Port St. Lucie, Fla. AP / Julio Cortez
Los Angeles Angels players make their way to the practice fields for a spring training baseball workout Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, in Tempe, Ariz. AP / Morry Gash
Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko signs autographs for fans during baseball spring training in Phoenix, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. AP / Paul Sancya
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.