2008 Woodie Awards
Just the Truth
Spring training excites all fans for April ball
Nathan Hoffman
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
Ahh, the lush dewy grass glistens in the bright yellow sun. Palm trees are swaying in the gentle breeze.
It is all too easy to get lost in this imagery.
Then the local news transitions from its spring training report in sunny Florida to the chilly forecast for the New York metropolitan area.
Although only a lucky few are privileged enough to follow their beloved ball club to either Florida or Arizona for spring training and enjoy the atmosphere, there is a collective sigh of satisfaction from baseball fans everywhere.
Baseball is finally here.
The time period between the end of the Super Bowl and the beginning of spring training is the slowest few weeks for many American sports fans, considering baseball and football are our two biggest sports.
Sorry, but the NBA's All-Star weekend does not tide me over, and I am not much of a Nascar fan.
To many, spring training might be nothing more than young guys playing meaningless games with inordinately high numbers.
Yes, the games have no official significance and no bearing on the standing, and yes, a shortstop with the number 87 is pretty strange.
These are all valid points, but to a baseball fan, spring training is more than as it appears on paper.
It means the long months of baseball inactivity are dead, and the 2008 season is in its third trimester, so to speak.
It is a time where every team is theoretically equal, and there is hope for every team. Spring training is a time for the young guys to prove themselves.
While the games are nothing more than literally spring training for established veterans, young up-and-comers are actually fighting for jobs on many teams.
The games have meaning, in an emotional sense.
Although the standings are nothing to brag or fret about, it is hard not to get emotional about a Yankees vs. Red Sox, Mets vs. Phillies or Cubs vs. Cardinals game.
The games also give fans a chance to check out their new acquisitions in their home colors.
It is all too easy to get lost in this imagery.
Then the local news transitions from its spring training report in sunny Florida to the chilly forecast for the New York metropolitan area.
Although only a lucky few are privileged enough to follow their beloved ball club to either Florida or Arizona for spring training and enjoy the atmosphere, there is a collective sigh of satisfaction from baseball fans everywhere.
Baseball is finally here.
The time period between the end of the Super Bowl and the beginning of spring training is the slowest few weeks for many American sports fans, considering baseball and football are our two biggest sports.
Sorry, but the NBA's All-Star weekend does not tide me over, and I am not much of a Nascar fan.
To many, spring training might be nothing more than young guys playing meaningless games with inordinately high numbers.
Yes, the games have no official significance and no bearing on the standing, and yes, a shortstop with the number 87 is pretty strange.
These are all valid points, but to a baseball fan, spring training is more than as it appears on paper.
It means the long months of baseball inactivity are dead, and the 2008 season is in its third trimester, so to speak.
It is a time where every team is theoretically equal, and there is hope for every team. Spring training is a time for the young guys to prove themselves.
While the games are nothing more than literally spring training for established veterans, young up-and-comers are actually fighting for jobs on many teams.
The games have meaning, in an emotional sense.
Although the standings are nothing to brag or fret about, it is hard not to get emotional about a Yankees vs. Red Sox, Mets vs. Phillies or Cubs vs. Cardinals game.
The games also give fans a chance to check out their new acquisitions in their home colors.
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