2008 MLB Spring Training is Just Around the Corner!
The 2008 MLB Regular Season is scheduled to begin on March 25, but this is not the only event baseball enthusiasts are looking forward to. There is an equal anticipation for the 2008 MLB Spring Training which is scheduled to begin on February 27. Here is a look at the interesting baseball event which has, over the years, gained as much importance as the Regular Season matches.
Spring Training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the Regular Season. Spring Training allows new players to audition 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.
Spring Training typically lasts almost two months, starting in mid February and traditionally running until the first week of April. Pitchers and catchers report to this event first because pitchers benefit from a longer training period due to the exhaustive nature of the position. A week or two later, the position players arrive and team practice begins.
Florida and Arizona host all MLB teams for Spring Training and teams that train in Florida play other Florida-training teams in their exhibition games, regardless of regular season league affiliations. Likewise, Arizona-training teams play other Arizona teams. Florida teams are nicknamed the Grapefruit League and Arizona teams are called the Cactus League.
The Grapefruit League features 18 pro-teams while the Cactus League features 12 pro-teams.
Spring Training is almost as old as baseball itself. By 1900, it was firmly established as a baseball ritual, with most American and National League teams heading out of town so players could train and managers could evaluate. Small Florida and Arizona communities were suddenly known across the nation because of the allure provided by MLB. By 1910 spring training was a formalized institution and it was at this time that the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues became official leagues.
During Spring Training, the teams can play colleges, minor league baseball clubs, intra-squad games, split-squad games and B Games (unofficial Spring Training games where statistics and standings are not counted).
The 2008 MLB Spring Training will commence on February 27 and conclude on March 30.
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