Baseball players and fans alike feel that spring is a magical time of year. This work is a compilation of interviews with 23 players, an umpire and a trainer, each of whom shares his own personal spring training experiences and thoughts on why spring training is such a special time.

baseball players, the dream of a championship season begins in spring training. Newcomers and veterans, journeymen and legends, all come together for a single purpose to win the World Series. And each year, all but one team goes into the off-season disappointed. But for that one team,the hard work of spring training and the grind of a 162-game season gives way to the euphoria of a championship, fulfilling a dream for the team andits fans.

The 28 players, managers, and pitching coaches here have all experienced baseball?s postseason. Many have been a part of championship teams; others have...