Spring training exists so baseball players can get ready for the upcoming season. That is understandable. What doesn’t make any sense is spring training being a thing amongst fans. People from around the country head to Arizona and Florida to watch practice baseball. Allen Iverson has some words to say about this…
“I mean, listen, we’re talking about practice, not a game, not a game, not a game, we talking about practice. Not a game. Not, not … Not the game that I go out there and die for and play every game like it’s my last. Not the game, but we’re talking about practice, man. I mean, how silly is that?”
How silly indeed. It’s one thing for locals go out and check out spring training games and sessions. There’s not a lot happening in Florida or Arizona otherwise. But for people to spend their hard-earned money on a trip that centers around practice baseball, what’s the deal with that?
There are usually two reasons people use to justify their decision to travel to spring training. The first is that the trip is actually a vacation to Arizona or Florida which has warm weather. Realistically though, that’s the supporting argument used to defend a spring training vacation, not the reason for the trip itself. If practice baseball wasn’t happening, most people would probably head somewhere else.
The second excuse for the trip is that it gives fans a chance for closer access to baseball players. If you’re a 40-year old hunting for autographs and selfies, well you’ve got other problems. Also, stop taking your glove to the game. Either catch the ball with your bare hands like an adult or let someone else claim the foul ball.
Can we talk about traveling hundreds of miles to attend spring training games? This has to be the most ridiculous thing possible, especially if you already live close to a MLB city. There are already 162 games scheduled for the season and you still need to attend practice ones. People can’t really be this desperate for baseball.
Spring training is important for the players. And going to regular season baseball games is a great experience. These aren’t even debatable. On the other hand, going to spring training as a fan has to be one of the most pointless things possible. It’s like showing up a half hour early for your shift if you work in a restaurant. Sure, you can do it, but there is no point since you aren’t getting paid and you won’t be done any sooner. Besides, people who show up to work that early are always the ones you least like to be scheduled with.
