How to Watch Spring Training Pitching Practice

There are many die hard baseball fans who feel that spring training with its lazy, languid pace is the very best kind of baseball there is. Whether these fans truly believe this or whether they have simply convinced themselves so in an effort to justify a late winter trip to places warm and sunny is known only to them. Regardless, it sounds good, and those who not only attend games but practices as well are probably not self-deceivers. Read on to learn how to watch spring training pitching practice.

Instructions

    • 1

      Understand that spring training begins in the middle of February with the arrival of pitchers and catchers at a teams facilities. The remainder of the team arrives roughly a week later.

    • 2

      Realize that spring training camps are located in Arizona (The Cactus League) and Florida (The Grape Fruit League).

    • 3

      Understand that even players who will not end up on a major league team begin spring training working out with those who will.

    • 4

      Go to spring training before any games are even scheduled if you want to see nothing but practices. In the days after players have arrived but before the spring training schedule starts, practices go on from morning until night.

    • 5

      Arrive at a camp between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM to see the beginning of practice. Usually, a schedule of practice sessions can be obtained at the facility. It is also usually possible to watch the sessions "up close and personal."

    • 6

      Realize that players are usually broken up into groups by defensive positions for fielding practice for example, infield practice or outfield throwing sessions. Pitchers and catchers must generally work together.

    • 7

      Be aware that unless you truly are one of the "die hards" practices may be boring because they are primarily a process of mind numbing repetition.