Spring Brings New Hope For Fans

With just two days until pitchers and catchers report to camp, many fans are just itching for baseball to start. Spring training brings hope that the real season is soon to follow. It also gives hope to fans who see their team as a real contender—I guess every team is a contender in March.

This spring brings extra hope to baseball fans who get to see extra competition earlier than normal. That’s right—the World Baseball Classic is set to start in early March. So while the diehard fans make the trip to Arizona or Florida to see their team in spring training, the more common fan gets a special treat with early baseball.

Most Major League teams do not want their players to play in the Classic for fear of injury. Some players might make the same decision—they don’t want to risk injury for the upcoming season. Regardless of players and clubs’ decisions, many great players are still willing to represent their country in the second World Baseball Classic. Japan is the returning champ but Team USA is ready to challenge for the top spot. With plenty of talent still being showcased in the tournament, this team is a legit threat to win it all.

And once the action is all over, just two weeks separate the end of the World Baseball Classic and the start to the 2009 season where excitement begins all over again. So fear not baseball fans—baseball will shortly be underway beginning with pitchers and catchers reporting to camp. Shortly thereafter will be the World Baseball Classic with the new MLB Network televising 16 of the games. And the cap it off, the 2009 season will follow shortly after the Classic. Baseball fans just can’t get enough but for 2009, the beginning is almost here.