Getting Into It

[MFS62]

When do you start to get interested in Spring Training?

[batmagadanleadoff]

Rarely.

[Ceetar]

Generally, a couple of minutes after the final out of last season.

[Benjamin Grimm]

"Other."

Either upon my arrival in Florida (which I've only done twice in four decades!) or when something interesting happens. This year, I'll be more into it as we start getting answers about the pitching rotation, the second base position, and the Beltran/Pagan thing.

Pitchers and catchers mean nothing to me. The games, even when televised, barely hold my interest, although it will be nice to hear Gary, Keith, and Ron again. The only thing I really like about spring training is that there's on-the-field baseball news again.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I don't get excited until opening day of the regular season.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Yeah I find spring training an interminable dicktease and I especially tend to hate "pitchers & Catchers" because it happens in February and we all know that means the entire crappy month of March is in front of us still.

I mean it's better than no spring training, and maybe this one is slightly more interesting than others if only to see how they make their choices, but those are a long time coming too.

[metirish]

Other

Duffy's bar for the fights and the local pizzeria's parking lot for the fights and the pissing are what keep me interested.I was thrilled to hear that the Mets brought back Karim Garcia, Shane Spencer and Tony Tarasco as cultural ambassadors.

One camera view intra squad games just don't do it.

[ashie62]

First exhibition game against another team that I can watch on TV.

[Ceetar]

Getting into it's a pretty vague term. I'm excited for the news and actual games and stuff, but I'm not Tivoing every game. I pay attention to what's going on, but i do that all offseason anyway. I guess i don't amp it up until I'm actually at a game. This year that'll be 3/17.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think "pitchers and catchers" is something that the beat writers get excited about, because they get to truncate their winter in mid-February when they depart for Florida. That's why we see these "pitchers and catchers" countdowns in the newspaper. If I was going to Florida (even though I hate Florida) I'd buy into it more. But I'm not, so I don't.

[Ceetar]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I think "pitchers and catchers" is something that the beat writers get excited about, because they get to truncate their winter in mid-February when they depart for Florida. That's why we see these "pitchers and catchers" countdowns in the newspaper. If I was going to Florida (even though I hate Florida) I'd buy into it more. But I'm not, so I don't.

It's more than that. For those of us that wouldn't blink if every single other sport was canceled, it represents baseball being back in some small way.

For analysts and what not, mainly those ones not interested in expanding their horizons beyond football and baseball and don't even give a half hour to hockey or basketball usually, it's a time they can start talking about something interesting again instead of having faux fights with other hosts over bad songs they use as intros to their shows.

NY has gotten a little reprieve with the two big NBA trades this year though.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I'm one of those one-sport people too. I haven't watched any sports at all since Oliver Perez went walk-happy on the final day of the regular season. But to me, pitchers and catchers is much ado about nothing. I even felt that way thirty years ago, when my interest was most rabid.

[Guest themetfairy]

Most years I'm into it as soon as there are players showing up in Florida, filling up their spring training lockers, etc. But this year I'm not feeling it.

I don't know whether it was being there for the last demoralizing game of last season or the Madoff mess or the organization's inability to reach out to its fans as well as other teams do. And I'm sure I'll be into it once I can go back to attending games in person. But so far this year I haven't been able to get excited yet.

I do know that I would be feeling differently if Bobby was our manager. I'm sure I'll learn to appreciate Terry, but if Bobby was the manager I'd be riveted to the reports coming out of Port St. Lucie.

[Guest LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr]

metirish wrote: Other Duffy's bar for the fights and the local pizzeria's parking lot for the fights and the pissing are what keep me interested.I was thrilled to hear that the Mets brought back Karim Garcia, Shane Spencer and Tony Tarasco as cultural ambassadors. One camera view intra squad games just don't do it.

So what you're saying is, you want more fights in baseball, and more Fox robot in your game broadcasts.

I went "Other," too. Position battles-- especially crazy-ass five-way free-for-alls like we have at second-- and certain acquisitions (Chris Young and the Rule V guys this year) get my stones all whetted. I'm a little more plugged in this year than in most.

[Willets Point]

Rockin' Doc wrote: I don't get excited until opening day of the regular season.

This.

I don't really care for exhibition games and the rest of it is just chat about dudes practicing. In Boston they make a huge deal about "Truck Day" and I just don't get it. Why do even need to drive a truck of equipment down to Florida? Can't they keep the Spring Training facilities stocked up with its own supplies?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I agree. The date I've been looking forward to is, as of today, exactly five weeks away.

[seawolf17]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I agree. The date I've been looking forward to is, as of today, exactly five weeks away.

Only five weeks?!? Holy crap. That's not a whole lot of time to find some good baseball players. Get cracking, Sandy.

[Fman99]

Ashie62 wrote: First exhibition game against another team that I can watch on TV.

Yep.

[Ceetar]

First game's tomorrow, if you don't count today's intersquad.

Fman99 wrote: Ashie62 wrote: First exhibition game against another team that I can watch on TV. Yep.

Are you sure it's not "First in game thread in the Crane Pool Forum?"

[nymr83]

I'm excited about today! I doubt I'll care too much about another spring training game after the first one though.

[Guest Edgy DC]

I like baseball. I like when there's more rather than less or none.