The crack of bats, fans cheering loudly for their favorite team, and the umpire yelling, “Strike one!” can only mean one thing: America’s favorite pastime is back and ready for spring training.
With weeks remaining until opening day, coaches are rushing to make their team the best for the 2013 season of Major League Baseball.
After having a little more than 100 days off, players work on getting back in the swing of baseball during spring training. It’s a time where players who were in the minor league last year get the chance to show what they’re made of when they fight for their spot on the major league team.
With decisions made about who is on the team’s season roster and who had to go back down to the minor leagues, the Boston Red Sox kicked off the start to the spring training games on Thursday February 21 with multiple teams following the next day.
Spring training is a time when people start to make their predictions about who is going to win what division and who is going to win the world series in October. However, these predictions usually are inaccurate due to the trade deadline on July 31.
During the off season a few changes were made in the world of baseball. The Houston Astros moved from the National League Central division to the American League West. The change evens out all of six of the divisions so each one now has five teams competing.
Opening day will be on March 31 with the Houston Astros playing the Texas Rangers. All other teams will play their first game within the following two days.
