What is Spring Training in Baseball
The preseason practice and exhibition period where MLB teams prepare players for the regular season through workouts, drills, and non-counting games.
Spring Training is the preseason preparation period for Major League Baseball teams, held each year in February and March before the regular season opens in late March or early April. It combines structured workouts, instructional drills, and a full slate of exhibition games that don't count in the official standings — but matter enormously for roster decisions.
Where Does Spring Training Take Place?
All 30 MLB teams hold Spring Training in one of two warm-weather locations:
- Florida (Grapefruit League) — 15 teams train across the Tampa Bay, Orlando, and South Florida areas
- Arizona (Cactus League) — 15 teams train in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area
The two groupings are known as the Grapefruit League and the Cactus League, respectively. Games between teams within each league are common, and fans can often see multiple teams in a single trip.
What Happens During Spring Training?
Spring Training typically opens with pitchers and catchers reporting first — usually around mid-February — followed by all position players arriving days later. The schedule includes:
- Physical conditioning — Players returning from the offseason rebuild stamina and baseball-specific fitness
- Skill work — Pitchers refine mechanics and develop new pitches; hitters work on timing and approach
- Roster evaluation — Prospects and fringe players compete for roster spots on the 26-man active roster
- Exhibition games — Teams play 25–30 games against other MLB clubs, Triple-A opponents, and college teams
Competing for a Roster Spot
For established veterans, Spring Training is largely about getting in shape and game-ready. For younger players and roster bubble players, it's an audition. A strong spring can earn a player a spot on the Opening Day roster; a poor showing — or a better-performing competitor — can send them to the minor leagues.
Why Spring Training Matters for Fans
Spring Training games are relatively low-key and affordable, making them a popular destination for baseball fans who want close access to their favorite players and a casual ballpark atmosphere. Stadiums are smaller, autograph opportunities are more common, and tickets are far cheaper than regular season games.
If you're planning a Cactus League or Grapefruit League trip, the MLB Shop has officially licensed gear for every team — a good way to show up repping your squad on the first day of the baseball year.
Spring Training and the Bullpen
One of the most watched parts of Spring Training is pitcher development. Teams use the exhibition slate to evaluate which relievers will fill their bullpen and how their starting rotation will be structured. Spring Training stats are taken with a grain of salt — coaches are more interested in mechanics and pitch development than outcomes — but a dominant spring from a young pitcher can dramatically change a team's plans.