Before the regular season of Major League Baseball starts again at the end of March, we have to prepare for the season. In baseball this phase is called jumping training. SPOX explains the jumping training and reveals where the preparatory matches take place, how the teams’ cadres are structured and how the game is run.
The jumping training is the MLB’s preparation for the season. It officially starts in mid-February, when the pitcher and catcher start to work in the teams’ respective training camps. About a week later the positioners follow. And at the end of February, the preparatory games will start, which will be played mainly against the competition from the MLB. Occasionally, however, MLB teams also compete against college teams.
The jumping training takes place in Florida and Arizona. In each case, 15 teams set up their training camps in these states. The teams in Arizona play in the Cactus League, while the teams in Florida play in the Grapefruit League. However, the teams do not necessarily have to play the same number of matches, which makes the official league tables secondary.
In principle, all players of the 40-player squad of the MLB teams take part in the jumping training. In addition, there is an arbitrary number of so-called “Non-Roster Invitees”, i. e. players who have signed a minor league contract and received a separate invitation to the camp.
Gradually, the squad will be thinned out for the upcoming season. Players who fail to make the cut will either be transferred to the minor league camps or even fired if necessary.
In general, jumping training is an opportunity for established players to get in shape for the season and maybe even work on new things. Pitcher try out new pitches, hitter test changes to their swing.
In turn, the numerous talents will be given the opportunity to present themselves to the managers of the MLB Club and recommend them for upcoming promotions. The Spring Training is also a great opportunity for fans to watch the next generation of players on a big stage.
Especially at the beginning of the jumping training, there are usually so many players available that it is difficult for the managers to give everyone enough time to play. That’s why they rely on the so-called split squads. One MLB club divides its squad into two teams: one plays at home, the other drives to an away game. And then both teams play on the same day.
The jumping training takes place in Florida and Arizona. Each team has its own jumping training complex. Most of the teams have their own ball park, but especially in the Cactus League it is common practice to share the stadium.
In contrast to the regular season, not all jumping training games are broadcast live on TV. The regional sports networks, which also show the regular season matches of the teams, only show selected matches in the preparation for the season.
As a rule, however, these will then all be shown on MLB. TV, the official paid streaming service of MLB. There, subscribers from Europe will be able to watch all 2,430 regular season games played on 29 March. Including the All-Star Game as well as the complete postseason, live and on-demand tracking begins on March 1.