Let the Games Begin
As the camps progress, there are inter-squad games. Some are open to the public. Others aren't. It's partially the discretion of the clubs, and it's partially the way that the game is being played. In some inter-squad games, the game is stopped so players working on particular problems or situations can receive instruction. In some cases, a player may get continue an at-bat, or get an additional at-bat to work on issues that the coaches catch.
It's really some of the most interesting baseball that you can watch. Some players put the pieces together that will lead to major league careers, while others who don't or can't get it struggle to stay with the club at their current level.
There are also "minor league" games where squads of potential Class-A, Class-AA or AAA players are sent out to meet other clubs. Don't look at the rosters of these squads too carefully though. They can flip a dozen times or more over the Spring as the player development staff and the coaches fine-tune the farm system.
Familiar Faces
While they parade out the big names of past clubs for a sniff by the major league media a couple of times at the beginning of Spring, they put many of them to work back in the minor league camps with the developing players. Dodger great Steve Yeager gives instruction to the pitching hopefuls at the first day of the Dodgers' Winter camp. Mets phenom Mookie Wilson schools infielders in the finer points of bunting and contact hitting.
Less Rare Air
There's a tension present in the major league side at all times. There are always a few positions up for grabs. There's also the invitee or minor league player or two who goes super-nova during Spring, bending or breaking a position player's lock on a base or a chunk of the outfield. It keeps everyone on their toes.
On the minor league side, the air is more at-ease. Players are still fighting for positions, and to move up in the organization, but the mix of instruction with evaluation lightens the mood, and keeps things a bit more loose.
Spring Style
Each club has their own temperament, pace, and training rituals. The atmosphere around the camp depends a lot on how many money players are involved, the style of the skipper, the facilities, the front office staff, etc.
Some clubs, like Jack McKeon's Marlins of 2005 are a lot of fun. The air is more relaxed. Jack uses a lot of young players, so there is a strong sense of optimism all through the farm system that the opportunity to advance exists.
The Cardinals, easily one of the best teams of 2004, are more serious, focused, and perhaps a bit touchy after the post-season drubbing they received at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.
The Red Sox, as one might expect of the new "curse-free" club, are the undisputed Kings of Spring. Ruth is dead. Pedro and Nomar are gone. The euphoria of October is spilling into Spring, where the mood of both major and minor clubs borders on the downright giddy. A number of Pawsox made the forty and the invitee lists who have the first decent crack at this club in transition.
