The ground is covered in snow but it is almost time to start tossing the ball around the bases again.
It seems like only yesterday that the Los Angeles Dodgers completed a truly international World Series with a win against the Toronto Blue Jays.
During the off season, there was plenty of activity in the front office of the teams as general managers scurried to crunch the numbers that would make players happy to don the uniform.
But in less than two weeks, the pitchers and catchers will open their spring training camp.
On February 20 the games begin with the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues. With winter still going full force, the 30 teams divide up between spring camps in Florida (grapefruit) and Arizona (cactus) to “get into shape” as the games begin.
And of course, 2026 marks the return of the World Baseball classic with players from around the world playing in a tournament to name the best baseball players in the world. This year the classic is set to begin on March 4 and run until St Patrick’s Day on the 17th.
Exhibition games begin on March 3 with Team USA playing the Giants, Panama playing the Yankees, and Puerto Rico playing the Red Sox.
Pool play begins in Tokyo on March 4 when Australia and Chinese Taipei get the World Baseball Classic started.
Team USA doesn’t play its first game until March 6 when they take on Brazil in Houston.
This year the championship game will be in Miami, Florida.
March 19-22 the top prospects battle it out in the Spring Breakout.
While the season officially opens on March 26, the Yankees and Giants get the season started on March 25 at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Most of the team will officially kick off the season on March 26 with a few teams having their opening day on March 27.