2011 MLB Spring Training: Atlanta Braves Baseball Is Back

Spring is in the air, and so is baseball. I have long missed the sport for over four months, but now it is back. 

The Braves played the Mets, Chipper Jones started, and Bobby Cox was present. It was just like old times. Sure Bobby wasn't managing or Chipper wasn't playing third, but they still are part of the Braves.

The Braves have new young pitching, something else familiar to the Braves' faithful. There always is a young star pitcher, or even pitchers, that the Braves bring up and this year is no different. They sign great young talent, then groom them in the minor leagues. It is a part of the Braves' DNA to do this every year.

Yes, this is an article talking about Spring training, but it is important. Spring training is a good way for the Braves and other teams to find hot players who deserve to be on the 25 man roster and to prepare their players for the long haul of the regular season.

Spring training is a way for us fans to finally see or hear a game again. I love listening to the golden voices of Jim Powell and Don Sutton, and I was able to hear them on Saturday.

Even if the game means nothing in terms of winning or losing, I still loved hearing the commentators banter. It made me even more excited for the season to start. It made me feel like the regular season had already started.

I am happy that I can read box scores again for baseball. I enjoy seeing how different players perform statistically. I can somewhat quench this thirst by looking at the box scores of spring training games. 

Obviously nothing can make up for the lack of the MLB regular season, but spring training is a nice distraction. I can see my favorite players again and hear the crack of the bat. Life is almost back to normal for us Braves' fanatics.