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

Padres: Musgrove, on the injured list with a broken left big toe, is scheduled to face live batters Saturday at the spring training complex in Peoria, Arizona.

From Washington Times

Minor league players will receive four weeks of retroactive spring training pay for this year.

From Seattle Times

Gallo faced the outfield shift in spring training in which left field was vacated, but its unclear how it will play out if defenses position themselves creatively against him for a full season.

From Seattle Times

The Angels’ Anthony Rendon had a comeback spring training and the infielder hopes to replicate it during the season while staying healthy.

From Los Angeles Times

For the first time in baseball history, the sport will be played against a clock — a pitch clock, more specifically — one that shortened spring training games dramatically and fostered a more appealing pace of play.

From Washington Post