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

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

And by the time he arrived at spring training, he had emerged as the sport’s consensus No. 1 prospect.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026

The longer window likely means China’s military is “giving itself scheduling flexibility” for spring training, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

After signing a one-year deal in December, right-hander Alek Manoah struggled in spring training but could be a reliever.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 24, 2026

Merkle and I worked out a play during the spring training season in 1911 which caught perhaps a dozen men off first base before the other teams began to watch for the trick.

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