Players generally report to their camps in mid-February, and pitchers and catchers always come a week before position players. For the entire month of March, the teams play exhibition games against one another as a way to get good PR amongst the fans and as a way to get some good practice in before the season begins in April.
The teams do not seem to care much about the outcomes of the games, as players run wind sprints in the outfield in mid-game, teams compete in split squad games in which each half of the team plays a different team, and all starters usually leave the game by the 6th inning. However, because of this relaxed, minimal pressure attitude, the players are much more approachable and are always eager to meet fans.
Twenty teams practice in Florida, and ten teams practice in Arizona. Both locations are great, and I could never say I prefer one to the other.
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me at wackykramer@yahoo.com.
