Spring training almost started at the same time as baseball itself. The first record spring training event occurred in 1870 when the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the Chicago White Stockings held camps in New Orleans. However, some believe the first spring training wasnt until the Washington Capitals had a four-day training camp in Jacksonville in 1888. Either way in 1900 spring training was established as a ritual in baseball. During this time, most American and National League teams go out of town for players to train and mangers to evaluate the players. There are three distinct eras for spring training. The first of these eras is the early years between 1901 and 1942. Before spring training was started many teams either trained locally or while they were on the road. This was because in the early years many baseball players had to work other jobs to support their family and could not travel out of town to train. In 1910 when spring training became an institution, most teams went east of the Mississippi River. This is when the Grapefruit League was founded. A second era is the war years between 1943 and 1945. When World War II broke out many starting scaling back their use of various items. Therefore, baseball became a luxury. Baseball was allowed to continue because President Roosevelt felt it was important to homeland morale. However, travel to training camps became difficult. This is when the MLB commissioner developed a boundary that called for teams to train close to their home. Therefore, the Yankees held spring training in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The third and final era runs from 1946 to our present time. Prior to World War II, many teams had spring training in California and Arizona. However, it wasnt until 1947 when the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians started spring training in Phoenix and Tucson that the Cactus League was formed. It was at this time spring training became a moneymaking institution that has grown into the large popularity we see today. |
