Baseball is Back!

Major League spring training is well under way, and preseason games have begun in the Cactus (Arizona) and Grapefruit (Florida) Leagues.

Fifteen Cactus League teams are re-honing their skills and vying for starting roles in all positions; fifteen are doing the same in the Grapefruit League.

In the Grapefruit League, the National League East Atlanta Braves are still my team of choice for nearly 40 years. They have a plethora of new names on their roster, as well as some familiar ones, and some long-absent ones (e.g., fan favorite Jeff “Frenchy” Francoeur).

Currently playing their spring games at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Florida, the Braves are limping along, losing more than they’re winning (so what else is new?), anticipating Opening Day against the Washington Nationals on Monday, April 4.

Their home field is Turner Stadium, their last season there before moving to their new home at Sun Trust Park in the Cumberland Community Improvement District in time for Opening Day 2017.

The Braves’ social media is all a-twitter and we eagerly await the cry of “Play Ball!” on April 4, when all teams have an even record and hope springs eternal … again.

Go Braves!