The Magic of Spring Training

FOR MOST real baseball fans, once the World Series ends each year, "the winter is so very long." But there is something to look forward to - even though it won't happen until March. It's spring training - and then - ah the magic! Baseball starts all over again.

Each of the 30 major league baseball teams in the United States conduct spring training in an effort to prepare for the new season. Sites and facilities for spring training are located in Arizona and Florida in order to take advantage of sunny days and warm temperatures. While pitchers and catchers are the first to head to spring training in early to mid-February, position players are expected to report a week or two later. Exhibition games begin in March for both the Cactus League (for teams training in Arizona) and the Grapefruit League (for teams based in Florida). The games in the month-long spring training "season" are a sight to behold. In spring training, fans are given the opportunity to see baseball "up close."

Several years ago, after making the arrangements well in advance, I traveled with my wife to Arizona for a week of spring training baseball. At that time there were eight teams training in the Cactus League. We saw all eight teams play, and we were in seven of the eight spring training ball parks. It was, indeed, a great leisure experience for both of us!

We flew into Phoenix where we had rented a car and made hotel reservations. The seven ball parks we were scheduled to visit were all within easy driving distance. Each day after breakfast, our mornings were set aside for sight-seeing. Lunch was always at the ball park. Games began at 1 p.m. and were over no later than 4 o'clock. Following the ball games, the late afternoon provided opportunities to see some additional places of interest and for shopping. During the evenings we dined in a variety of great restaurants and found some good entertainment venues. Our daily docket proved to be both exciting and pleasurable!

The best part of our trip was the time we spent at the ball parks. We arrived at each of the training facilities early every day in order to watch some of the workouts, exercise routines, and drills - along with batting and fielding practice. It was fun to see the all-stars and veterans of the game working with the rookies and younger players. Getting autographs and having brief conversations with players was always possible. The highlight of our journey had to be the actual spring training games. Although considered as only for practice and exhibition, every game was still competitive and very interesting to watch.

It was amazing to us how each community seemed to take such pride in being "home" to a spring training team. Volunteers served as ushers, and in several other capacities, in every ball park we visited. Greeters were on hand to make us feel welcome. Every ball park was unique, beautiful, and small enough for every fan to be close to the action on the field. While the capacity of every park was somewhat different, most provided seats for 6,000 to 7,000 fans.

As a big baseball fan since childhood, I can highly recommend a spring training get-a-way. In addition to enjoying an overall great time, the experience allowed me the opportunity to "be a kid again." And, spring is just around the corner! Arrangements for spring training package may be made online, or with a travel agent. It's not too early to begin thinking about and planning for what might be described as the vacation of a lifetime: the magic of spring training.
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--The spring training home of the Chicago Cubs, HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona is pictured above.