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

Utility man Santiago Espinal, whom the Dodgers claimed on waivers and broke out in spring training, was designated for assignment to make room for the recovered utility man on the roster.

From Los Angeles Times • May 26, 2026

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

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