Spring training - Definition and Overview

A Grapefruit League game at the LA Dodgers camp in Vero Beach, Florida

Spring training in Major League Baseball is a series of exhibition games which precedes the regular season. It serves the purpose of both auditioning players for final roster/position spots and giving players practice prior to competitive play.

Spring training typically lasts one month, beginning in early March and lasting until a few days before opening day (commonly the first week of April). Pitchers and catchers, however, usually beginning training a week or two earlier than do position players (usually the last few weeks of February) since pitchers endure more physical wear and tear and thus benefit from a longer training period.

Spring training locations by team

Grapefruit League (held in Florida)

• Atlanta Braves - Cracker Jack Stadium, Lake Buena Vista
• Baltimore Orioles - Fort Lauderdale Stadium, Ft. Lauderdale
• Boston Red Sox - City of Palms Park, Fort Myers
• Cincinnati Reds - Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
• Cleveland Indians - Chain of Lakes Park, Winter Haven
• Detroit Tigers - Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland
• Florida Marlins - Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
• Houston Astros - Osceola County Stadium, Kissimmee
• Los Angeles Dodgers - Dodgertown, Vero Beach
• Minnesota Twins - Hammond Stadium at Lee County Sports, Complex Ft. Myers
• Montreal Expos - Space Coast Stadium, Melbourne
• New York Mets - Thomas J. White Stadium, Port St. Lucie
• New York Yankees - Legends Field, Tampa
• Philadelphia Phillies - Bright House Networks Field, Clearwater
• Pittsburgh Pirates - McKechnie Field, Bradenton
• St. Louis Cardinals - Roger Dean Stadium, Jupiter
• Tampa Bay Devil Rays - Florida Power Park, St. Petersburg
• Toronto Blue Jays - Dunedin Stadium at Grant Field, Dunedin

Cactus League (held in Arizona)

• Anaheim Angels - Tempe Diablo Stadium, Tempe
• Arizona Diamondbacks - Tucson Electric Park, Tucson
• Chicago Cubs - HoHoKam Park, Mesa
• Chicago White Sox - Tucson Electric Park, Tucson
• Colorado Rockies - Hi Corbett Field, Tucson
• Kansas City Royals - Surprise Stadium, Surprise
• Milwaukee Brewers - Maryvale Baseball Park, Phoenix
• Oakland Athletics - Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix
• San Diego Padres - Peoria Stadium, Peoria
• San Francisco Giants - Scottsdale Stadium, Scottsdale
• Seattle Mariners - Peoria Stadium, Peoria
• Texas Rangers - Surprise Stadium, Surprise

External links

• Spring Training Magazine Information (http://www.springtrainingmagazine.com/)