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

He also missed spring training and opening day for the first time in his career.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

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

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

Days before spring training, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

Ever since, Crandall’s spring training, like charity, has begun at home, and he takes exercise night and morning throughout the winter, so that when he comes into camp his weight will be somewhere near normal.

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