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

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

Major League Baseball did commission a documentary, as it always does, but the film was not ready for release by the time spring training started.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 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

A young ball-player looks on his first spring training trip as a stage-struck young woman regards the theatre.

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