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I love Baseball and I hate cold weather. These are by no means the only reasons I currently reside in Florida, but they don’t hurt.
When I’ve lived in colder areas such as New England, Upstate New York, and the upper Midwest, the first sign of Spring for me was usually reading the magic words “Pitchers and Catchers Report.” As you can see from the link, nine of the thirty major league teams have pitchers and catchers reporting today (February 13, 2011), eight more report tomorrow (Valentine’s Day present!), three report on Tuesday, eight more on Wednesday, with the White Sox reporting on Thursday and the Marlins reporting on Friday. Most teams will have their first formal workouts the day after they report officially with position players reporting starting Friday, February 18 through Tuesday February 22.
Of course, the reality is, many players have already reported to Spring Training sites and begun unofficial workouts. Some of them are players coming off of season ending injuries or off season surgery. Others have changed teams in the off season and of course, there are the hopeful rookies and veterans hanging on by a thread hoping to make a good impression on their manager, coaches, and front offices.
The whole point of this is to remind folks that even though they may be shivering at the moment, waiting longingly for the arrival of the Vernal Equinox, the earliest signs of Spring are already here. So it’s time to look for your seed catalogs for your garden and/or flower beds, time to start planning your spring and summer activities.
Pitchers and Catchers report.
Don’t you feel just a small bit warmer already?
And because I can:
6 Comments
I love it when “Pitchers and Catchers Report” comes. Time to declare it a National Holiday, No? Even though I do not get out to see as many games as I want to, there is nothing, nothing like a Spring Training game. Last year the only game I saw was played between rain clouds, and even that was heavenly. It is the only time that for a few measly dollars you can really see the game up close and personal. And HOT DOGS AND BEER. Nothing better.
Actually for me, Opening Day should be the national holiday (since it now coincides with the NCAA men’s and women’s final four weekend, it is pretty much the best sports weekend of the year for me)
Minor league games are just as much fun for me as a Spring Training game. Either way, I’m pretty much guaranteed to have at least one hot dog and one hamburger
Ah but opening day is played at the big stadiums where you can’t see the players and the seats cost $45-$75???(Been a while since I went to the big leagues.) That’s why I love spring training. Baseball for $16.00.
The second most beautiful phrase in the English language, right after “Pay to the Order Of”
Well, other than an opportunity maybe some day to see an Opening Day in Cincinnati, I’d just as soon see the Opening Day games from the comfort of my sofa.
As I say, that’s the same weekend as the NCAA men’s and women’s final fours so I can play couch spud for the weekend and see a nice variety of fun.
A truly beautiful phrase indeed, made even more lovely this year because one Cliff Lee is back where he belongs…