I enjoy following and watching spring training. But only because each day of spring training that goes by brings me one day closer to Opening Day. Exhibition games that are aired on New England Sports Network are fun to watch, but it is not regular season baseball. Should the 162 game season be even longer? I don't think so. But spring training should start a little later and end earlier. The Red Sox have been practicing and scrimmaging for over two weeks, and it is still nearly four weeks until Johnny Damon digs in for the opening pitch of the Red Sox 2004 season.
As much fun as it is to watch games with Cesar Crespo playing shortstop, it would be nice to open the sports page of The Boston Globe and see regular season standings. I know that it is unrealistic to expect there to be baseball games this early in March, but to have to wait until April 5 seems ridiculous. Why not have the season end a week or two earlier in September so that the World Series can be played in mild weather, as opposed to when people are already looking towards making plans for Thanksgiving? Now, obviously in northeast cities such as Boston, it can still be cold in March, but why not schedule games to be played in warm weather for the opening of the season? I don't think too many in Red Sox nation would complain about home games against the Texas Rangers or Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the last weeks of the season.
Spring training is a relaxing time for managers as well as veteran players. Just ask San Diego Padres pitcher David Wells, who in his book explained how the night life is often the highlight for him during these March days. It's true that during spring training there is not as much pressure so players can simply play for enjoyment of the game. The weather is beautiful, and there is a low-key atmosphere each day. But it's unlikely that players like Red Sox hopefulls Tony Womack or Carlos Feebles would agree. For them, each and every at-bat and ball fielded could make the difference in whether or not they secure the 25th spot on the big league team or find themselves playing 30 miles south in McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket. However, for the vast majority of guys who are going to be playing on Yawkey Way this summer, the most stress that they will face will come from the rush of autograph seekers.
There is nothing wrong with spring training, it just needs to be condensed. I feel as though it would be even more popular if it were three or four weeks long as opposed to six or seven weeks. Three weeks from now, I believe Red Sox nation will be rather tired of seeing another Red Sox and Minnesota Twins spring training game.
The other problem is that players sometimes have injuries. Padres third baseman Phil Nevin missed nearly the entire season last year because of a serious shoulder injury suffered in an exhibition game. In simple infield drills a few days ago, Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Jim Thome broke his finger and will most likely be out for three weeks. Although injuries can happen at any time, most players would agree that they would rather risk injuries during a regular season game. Regarding off-field distractions (i.e. steroid testing and contract negotiations), although they are very crucial, it seems as though they get magnified during spring training.
I do enjoy spring training, but I enjoy the regular season games a lot more. After a frigid winter, the sights of seeing newly acquired pitchers Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke are enjoyable-even if they're in the practice red uniforms. There's nothing wrong with spring training, but there's nothing so great about it that it has to be a month and a half long.