All pitchers and catchers are now at their MLB camps, and position players will be reporting to most teams in the next few days. A look ahead to the coming workouts.
All pitchers and catchers are now at their MLB camps, and position players will be reporting to most teams in the next few days. Here's a look ahead to the coming workouts, the start of games and changes in Spring Training.
We're at the start of Spring Training, the time when pitchers and catchers have already reported, and many teams are waiting for position players to report. It's a largely ceremonial media opportunity: serious players have been working out for weeks, and showing up for the first workouts means tossing the ball around for the assembled TV and newspaper cameras. We've come a long ways from the days when A.G. Spalding took his Chicago White Stockings to Hot Springs, Ark., to soak the winter booze out of his players; today's athlete is typically in good condition coming into camp, with most of the roster spots already penciled in. Still, it's always fun to see a phenom break out and make a mark in camp.
You can find a plethora of additional information at our Spring Training Online site, including a fuil list of reporting dates, minor-league schedules and more.
Now that teams are working out daily, this is the time when fans flock to practices to see a favorite player in action. True, much of spring training is boring: bunting drills, defensive drills, etc. It's a testament to the popularity of the game that hundreds of fans are eager to stand in the sun for an hour or two just for the chance to snare a fave leaving the field for a quick handshake or autograph. Here's a list of all 30 MLB teams and their workout routines. Remember, practice times are not written in stone: occasionally there may be a meeting that supersedes a team hitting the field at a precise time. Our best advice is to hit the practice area early and be prepared to wait, suntan lotion in hand.
ATLANTA BRAVES: The team trains at the workout fields at ESPN's Wide World of Sports in DisneyWorld. When games start you'll need a game-day ticket for access to the practice fields. Practice usually starts at 9:30 a.m.
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS: The team practices at the diamonds across Ajo Way from Tucson Electric Park. Practices begin at 9:30 a.m.
BALTIMORE ORIOLES: The team works out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Minor league-players work out at the Buck O'Neil complex at Twin Lakes Park (6700 Clark Road).
BOSTON RED SOX: The team trains at the Fort Myers Minor League Facility, not City of Palms Park. You cannot park there because of city regulations, so the Red Sox run a bus from the City of Palms Park parking lot beginning at 7:30 a.m. The price is $2. Team workouts begin at 9 a.m. Once games start the team works out at City of Palms Park, but these practices are closed to the public.
CHICAGO CUBS: The team practices at Fitch Park (655 N. Center St.), Mesa. Practices have limited access and begin at 9:30 a.m.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX: The team works out at the Camelback Ranch complex, usually beginning at 9:30 a.m.
CINCINNATI REDS: The team practices at its workout facility next to Goodyear Ballpark; there's decent access to two of the workout ballfields. Practice begins at 9:30 a.m.
CLEVELAND INDIANS: The team practices at its workout facility next to Goodyear Ballpark; there's decent access to two of the workout ballfields. Practice begins at 9:30 a.m.
COLORADO ROCKIES: The team works out on the diamonds adjoining Hi Corbett Field, usually beginning at 9:30 a.m.
DETROIT TIGERS: All practices take place at the four ballfields and Kaline Field next to Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland's Tiger Town. Practices begin at 10:30, and access to the practice fields is limited.
FLORIDA MARLINS: The team works out mornings at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter.
HOUSTON ASTROS: The team works out at the Osceola County Stadium complex, beginning at 9:30 a.m.; access is usually pretty good, but sometimes workout areas are roped off.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS: The team trains at the Surprise Stadium complex, beginning at 9 a.m.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM: The team works out at the Tempe Diablo Stadium complex, but there's limited access to the practice fields. Practices usually begin at 9:30 a.m.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS: The team works out at the Camelback Ranch complex, usually beginning at 9:30 a.m.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS: The team practices at the Maryvale Baseball Park complex, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
MINNESOTA TWINS: The Twins work out at the Lee County Sports Complex, next to Hammond Stadium. Access to the practice fields is limited; practices begin at 10 a.m.
NEW YORK METS: The Mets work out at the Tradition Field complex, north of the ballpark. Practices begin around 9:30 a.m.
NEW YORK YANKEES: The team works out on a fenced-in diamond, complete with bleachers, restrooms and concessions, next to Steinbrenner Field; Field 2 is also used for workouts. There is an admission charge. Your best bet is showing up early — 9 a.m. — and wait for players to enter the practice areas.
OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Full-squad workouts begin the 25th at Papago Park Baseball Complex (1802 N. 64th St.) in Phoenix, usually at 9 a.m. Before that pitchers and catchers practice at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, unless weather moves practices indoors at Papago Park.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES: The Phillies train at the Carpenter complex next to Bright House Networks Field. Practices usually begin at 10 a.m.
PITTSBURGH PIRATES: The Pirates train at Pirate City (1701 27th St. E.), with practices usually starting at 9:30 a.m.
SAN DIEGO PADRES: The team practices at the Peoria Sports Complex, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: The team practices at Scottsdale Stadium, beginning at 9 a.m. Minor league players practice at the Indian School Park (4415 N. Hayden Rd.).
SEATTLE MARINERS: The team practices at the Peoria Sports Complex, beginning at 9:30 a.m.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS: The team works out mornings at the Roger Dean Stadium complex in Jupiter.
TAMPA BAY RAYS: Workouts begin at 9:30 a.m. at the Charlotte County Sports Park. Workouts within the ballpark are closed to the public.
TEXAS RANGERS: The team trains at the Surprise Stadium complex, beginning at 9 a.m.
TORONTO BUE JAYS: The team works out at the Englebert Complex (1700 Solon Av.) in Dunedin, with practices starting at 9 a.m.
WASHINGTON NATIONALS: The Nats work out at the Carl Barger complex next to Space Coast Stadium, usually beginning at 9:30 a.m.
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