“As far as sleeping goes, you’re up and ready to go at six in the morning. Spring training was always a combination of relaxing and working, and I missed that quite a bit. I missed being around the ball field. A baseball. A bat. The smell of the uniform, you might say. Talking baseball.” ~ Lou Boudreau
As you dedicated readers know, I’m “semi-retired” (see Catching Up with Coach Mike), and pursuing some of my passions. I hope this is good news; We’re BACK. Me, from a self-imposed break due to a case of writer’s block (both in regard to “Comments” and my song writing, but the truth and time will cure both) and of course, baseball. I apologize for my absence.
How I love these four magic words, “Pitchers and Catchers Report”. Does it get any better than that? I think not.
“That” football game ended yesterday. I was happy that the Patriots lost, but I was sad that the Seahawks won. I was just not interested in either team, which makes for a long game. I actually spent most of the game with the sound turned down while I was playing my new 12-string Taylor acoustic / electric guitar, rehearsing new songs. By the end of the game, I knew the real winner was all of us baseball fans. Baseball will be BACK tomorrow.
Spring in the Midwest (Chicago) comes late. It is currently 40 degrees with wind gusts up to 13 mph, so it feels like 32 degrees (I personally don’t believe in wind chill). This is mild for early February. The next week has the same “moderate” temps, but history and common sense tell us that this tread won’t last. What will last though is that warm feeling in our hearts knowing the “heartbeat of America” is starting tomorrow.
The reporting schedule looks like this:
Arizona Cactus League:
Arizona Diamondbacks:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Tuesday, February 10th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Athletics:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Chicago Cubs:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Chicago White Sox:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Tuesday, February 10th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Cincinnati Reds:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Cleveland Guardians:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Tuesday, February 17th
Colorado Rockies:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Tuesday, February 17th
Kansas City Royals:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Los Angeles Angels:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Los Angeles Dodgers:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Friday, February 13th
Position players report date: Tuesday, February 17th
Milwaukee Brewers:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Tuesday, February 17th
San Diego Padres:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
San Francisco Giants:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Tuesday, February 10th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Seattle Mariners:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Tuesday, February 17th
Texas Rangers:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Tuesday, February 10th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Florida Grapefruit League:
Atlanta Braves:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Tuesday, February 10th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Baltimore Orioles:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Boston Red Sox:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Tuesday, February 10th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Detroit Tigers:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Sunday, February 15th
Houston Astros:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Miami Marlins:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Minnesota Twins:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
New York Mets:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
New York Yankees:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Philadelphia Phillies:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Pittsburgh Pirates:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Saint Louis Cardinals:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Tampa Bay Rays:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Thursday, February 12th
Position players report date: Tuesday, February 17th
Toronto Blue Jays:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
Washington Nationals:
Pitchers and catchers report day: Wednesday, February 11th
Position players report date: Monday, February 16th
The first spring training game will be played on Friday, February 20th between the Chicago White Sox and The Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. I can’t wait.
Most players report in phenomenal shape as they train their bodies year-round, but they still need to go through the “rites of spring”. Fielding, throwing, hitting, baserunning, covering bases, relays, backups, interacting with each other, just preparing. And we, the fans, need this “rite” as well. We need to let the warmth of the reporting of baseball enter our minds again. We need to hear, see, and let baseball come alive again. We need to experience the magic which will occur.
There is no doubt in my mind that there are still single-digit temperatures, wind chills, and snow in my near future. But my heart is warmed, my enthusiasm high, my anticipation has peaked, and all is right in my world, baseball starts tomorrow.
Spring is the time that the weather gets warmer, we gradually have more daylight, flowers bloom, the grass grows, and life begins again. Spring is also the time that baseball begins. A coincidence, not in my mind.
Enjoy…
~ Coach Mike
AUTHORS NOTE: If you’d like to follow my musical journey, contact me at mikewittmann.songsmith@gmail.com and I’ll add you to my email distribution. Thanks.
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