When does MLB’s Spring Training start? When do pitchers and catchers report to camp?
Though the World Series is still fresh in our minds, MLB’s spring training is actually almost upon us. With that, we can look forward to seeing new signings, young talent and of course the game we all love, baseball.
With spring training set to begin in just under a month, it’s time to take a look at when players are set to report. Pitchers and catchers are of course the first up, but positional players are set to join them shortly after. Let’s take a look
MLB’s Spring Training Dates
Though we will break it down for you, all baseball fans are sure to know that spring training is fast approaching. Indeed, with both pitchers and catchers set to report to training camps in Arizona and Florida by mid-February, the buildup for exhibition games just two weeks later is about to begin. In case you didn’t know, opening day of the 2023 MLB season is set for March 30th.
With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that MLB recently announced the reporting dates for each team - Thursday afternoon to be precise. Though each team is allowed to set its own reporting date every year, it’s interesting to note that all camps open during the same week. Pitchers and catchers are always the first to arrive, while position players are afforded a little more wiggle room and are expected to be present a few days later. A point worth mentioning, is that this is in fact a World Baseball Classic year, meaning that players who are committed to playing in the tournament will actually have to report to training camp even earlier than the rest of their teammates. To that end, any pitchers or catchers who are due to play in the exhibition series will be expected to be present at camp on Monday, February 13th, whereas position players must turn up on Thursday, February 16th.
What are the spring training dates for each team?
For the purpose of clarity, teams in the league are separated into two groups, with each group training in warm weather locations due to the obvious weather constraints of preparing for a season during winter. Those groups are known as the Cactus League which trains in Arizona, while the Grapefruit League trains way down south in Florida. Here’s how that schedule looks: