In late February of every year, baseball fans flock to Arizona and Florida for Spring Training. There is always intrigue and excitement surrounding Spring Training, but this year feels different. The Los Angeles Dodgers made a splash in the offseason, signing two Japanese superstars in Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, trading for ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow, and adding power hitting outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. On top of this, the Dodgers brought back the legendary Clayton Kershaw and fan favorites Jason Heyward and Kiké Hernandez. While baseball fans as a whole look to Spring Training as a sign of new optimism and hope, Dodger fans have been on cloud nine throughout the offseason leading up to baseball’s return. “I’m so excited for this season,” said Aldo Cali, 10.
Spring Training also provides opportunities to see stars on new teams. Fans got their first looks at Ohtani, Yamamoto, and the others on the Dodgers, outfielders Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo on the New York Yankees, pitcher Corbin Burnes on the Baltimore Orioles, and young star Jarred Kelenic on the Atlanta Braves. But what is the most exciting thing for fans that comes with Spring Training? Actual baseball action for the first time since early November. The Dodgers and Padres opened up action on a Thursday afternoon, as the Dodgers routed their division foes to the South 14-1, after scoring eight in the first. The hype that surrounded the Dodgers all offseason, much to the delight of Dodger fans, may just be real.
However, Spring Training, as much excitement as it has brung to baseball fans, did not come without controversy. Over the offseason, the MLB entered into a new partnership with Nike and Fanatics to produce jerseys for the league, and the product left fans utterly frustrated. Jamie Bercaw, 11, described them as “looking like cheap, replica jerseys.” The pants are practically see through now, and the quality has rapidly declined from a season ago. Players are almost all frustrated with how the new jerseys, with Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman claiming, “I don’t really think they care about the players, to be honest. They’re more focused on how much they can see the Nike check. It’s unfortunate.” This sentiment was shared by Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, who said “I know everyone hates them.”
Even with the controversy and frustration from the fans, baseball is officially back, and with the regular season rapidly nearing, fans are ready to hear the words “play ball” ring in ballparks across the nation.
