When Does Spring Training Start For The Orioles

So, you’re counting down the days until you can hear the crack of the bat and the smell of fresh-cut grass, right? I get it. Winter is fun for about five minutes, and then we all start dreaming of baseball. The big question on every Orioles fan’s mind is: when does Spring Training actually start?

The Official Date: Mark Your Calendars

For the Baltimore Orioles, Spring Training officially kicks off with pitchers and catchers reporting in mid-February. We’re talking around February 14th or 15th, depending on the exact schedule released by the team. That’s right—Valentine’s Day is for love, but February 15th is for baseball love.

Position players usually trickle in a few days later, with the first full-squad workout happening around February 18th. This is when you see the whole gang together, stretching, joking, and pretending they’re not already sore from winter workouts.

But here’s the kicker: those dates can shift by a day or two based on the official MLB schedule. Always check the Orioles’ official site or social media for the exact “report dates” because, let’s be honest, you don’t want to show up to Ed Smith Stadium a day early.

Where It All Happens: Sarasota, Florida

The Orioles have been making their winter home in Sarasota, Florida since 2010. They share the complex with the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor-league training, but the O’s are the kings of that castle during Grapefruit League play.

Ed Smith Stadium is a beautiful, renovated ballpark with palm trees and sunshine—basically a postcard. You can watch workouts from the bleachers, snag an autograph, or just bask in the fact that you’re not shoveling snow. Pro tip: Bring sunscreen, because Florida in February is still sneaky strong.

And if you’re not lucky enough to fly down to Sarasota, don’t worry. The games are broadcast on MASN and streamed online, so you can watch from your couch while wearing shorts and pretending it’s warm.

Grapefruit League Games: When Do They Matter?

First exhibition games usually start around February 22nd or 23rd. The Orioles will face off against other teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Twins—all in that laid-back “we’re just here to get a tan” kind of vibe. These games are fast, weird, and full of players you’ve never heard of.

Don’t stress about the scores in February. Spring training is about getting reps, avoiding injuries, and figuring out if that rookie can actually hit a curveball. If the O’s lose 12-3 but nobody got hurt, that’s a win in my book.

Orioles spring training begins later this month | Camden Chat

The real season—the one that counts—doesn’t start until late March. But Spring Training is the appetizer, and everyone knows appetizers are often the best part of the meal.

A Little History (Because It’s Fun)

Did you know the Orioles used to hold Spring Training in Miami Stadium back in the 1950s? They also bounced around to places like Daytona Beach and St. Petersburg. It wasn’t until the early 1990s that they settled in Fort Lauderdale, before moving to Sarasota in 2010.

That move to Sarasota was a big deal. It meant new facilities, better weather, and a chance to build a real training culture. Now, the Orioles own that complex, and it shows in how the players gush about it during interviews.

So when you see a photo of a Oriole in a bucket hat and flip-flops, just know that’s decades of tradition wrapped in a little bit of sunscreen.

How to Get Ready (And Why It’s Worth It)

First, clear your calendar for those mid-February mornings. Set an alarm if you have to. Watching pitchers throw their first bullpen session is oddly hypnotic—like a really slow, peaceful version of a no-hitter.

Second, prepare your snacks. Spring Training games are peak munching time. Think hot dogs, peanuts, and maybe a cold beer. It’s a celebration of “look, we survived another winter.”

Orioles' 2024 spring training schedule released

Finally, get your emotions ready. You’ll see familiar faces like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson looking tan and relaxed. You’ll also see rookies you’ve never heard of who might become legends. That’s the magic of spring.

The Real Truth: It’s a Reunion

For the Orioles, Spring Training is like a family reunion where everyone is happy and no one’s fighting over the last potato salad. Players reunite after a long winter, coaches crack jokes, and fans just soak it all in. There’s no stress yet. No “must-win” games. Just baseball as it was meant to be: fun, sunny, and full of hope.

So mark your calendar for mid-February—specifically the 14th or 15th for pitchers and catchers, and the 18th for the full squad. Then hold on tight because the journey to October starts with a single pitch in Sarasota.

And remember: Spring Training isn’t just about baseball. It’s about believing that this year, your O’s could surprise everyone. That the lineup will click, the bullpen will hold, and maybe—just maybe—you’ll be watching them in October.

Until then, dream of sunshine, sing “Thank God I’m a Country Boy,” and get ready to fall in love with the game all over again. Because Spring Training is coming, and it’s going to be beautiful.

Go O’s! ☀️⚾️