spring training

American  

noun

1. a program of physical exercise, practice, and exhibition games followed by a baseball team in the late winter and early spring, before the start of the regular season.

2. the period during which such a program takes place, usually from the beginning of March until the middle of April.

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Etymology

Origin of spring training

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Meckler hit .315 over 111 at-bats with the Angels in spring training, after being claimed off waivers by the franchise in January.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2026

Before this year, the utilityman, who agreed to a one-year, $4.5-million deal with the Dodgers in February, never missed spring training or opening day in his career.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

After acquiring the Atlanta Braves baseball team in 1976, he sent an advertising sales executive to spring training to embed with the club, in uniform, so he could learn about baseball.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Mangum reported to spring training and learned that he had shrunk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

After that game comes the inevitable run around the park which has been a headliner in spring training ever since the institution was discovered.

From Pitching in a Pinch or, Baseball from the Inside by Mathewson, Christy