Oh boy, spring training has finally rolled around. Feels like Christmas for baseball fans, doesn’t it? This week, pitchers and catchers are making their way to the sunny locales of Arizona and Florida. And guess what? Exhibition games are just around the corner, set to start before we even flip the calendar to March. Now, mark your calendars: Opening Day 2024 falls on Thursday, March 28.
MLB dropped the spring training dates back in January. It’s kind of like setting a giant, nationwide baseball rendezvous. Each team has the autonomy to decide their own reporting dates. But, here’s the kicker: they all kick things off within a few days of each other. Tradition dictates that pitchers and catchers get the ball rolling. The rest of the crew? They get a brief grace period before it’s their turn to report.
Now, here’s a curveball for you. The Dodgers and Padres are on a slightly different schedule. Why, you ask? Well, they’ve got the honor of opening the regular season with the Seoul Series in South Korea. Talk about an international affair! The Dodgers got the party started with their first workout for pitchers and catchers last Friday. Not to be outdone, the Padres jumped into action on Sunday.
This Seoul Series is no small deal. Scheduled for March 20-21, the Dodgers and Padres will jet off to South Korea, duke it out for two games, and then hustle back to Arizona to wrap up spring training. Talk about a whirlwind!
2024 Spring Training Dates: Get ‘Em While They’re Hot
For those keeping track at home, players typically arrive a day before the first official workout. Just a little insider tip for you. And, for a quick geography lesson: Cactus League teams get cozy in Arizona, while the Grapefruit League squads set up camp in Florida.
2024 Cactus League spring training reporting dates
2024 Grapefruit League spring training reporting dates
So, there you have it. Whether you’re counting down the days until your team’s pitchers and catchers report, or you’re just excited for the return of baseball, spring training is a beacon of hope. It signals that winter’s grip is loosening and that the boys of summer will soon take the field once again. Let the games begin!
