How to Understand Split-Squad Games

Major League Baseball teams use spring training to evaluate talent and decide which players will start the season on the big league roster. They play exhibition games virtually every day in March, but that may not be enough to get a proper look at everyone in camp. So teams often play split-squad games that divide the roster into two groups that can play different teams in different places. Read on to learn how to understand split-squad games.

Instructions

    • 1

      Watch for the split-squad designation. The list of exhibition baseball games in the newspaper or online will say something like, "Pirates versus Reds at Sarasota." But if you see "ss" next to one of the teams, it means that club is a split squad for the game, and you're likely to find another game involving the same team at another park. For example, you might see "Pirates versus Reds (ss) at Sarasota" and "Reds (ss) versus Cardinals at Jupiter."

    • 2

      Understand the purpose. A split-squad baseball game gives teams a chance to play more players, not necessarily to field two squads of equal talent. You'll see more rookies and minor leagues in a split-squad game.

    • 3

      Revel in the rookies. Baseball fans watching a split-squad game may not see all the current stars, but they are more likely to see the stars of the future before they get to the major league roster. The young players are using the game to impress the team, so you can see what the club front office is seeing in it's budding talent.

    • 4

      Read the road map. A team is more likely to leave its stars at home for a split-squad game and take younger players on the road. The longer the bus ride to the away game the less likely the biggest stars of the game will attend.

    • 5

      Study the strategy. Some teams use this type of game as a chance to get extra players into the lineup, and some players use the time to work on a particular aspect of their game. You might see a player working on a new position, or a pitcher working on a new pitch.

    • 6

      Check the calendar. Baseball teams are more likely to schedule these games in the early to middle portion of spring training so they have time to evaluate their players. Late in March at the end of spring training the rosters are smaller because many players have been shifted to the minor league camps.