Baseball is back as pitchers and catchers report

On Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 11:10 pm eastern, in front of 40,535 screaming fans, Royals catcher Salvador Perez fouled out to third base. Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey rejoiced. The Giants had just won baseball's 110th World Series.

When the lights shut off at Kauffman Stadium that night, the door had been closed on yet another baseball season. 

Baseball's second season, the Hot Stove season, began that night, much to the disappointment to many baseball fans, including myself. It would be a tough three months waiting for the rebirth of baseball in the spring. Today, those three months have concluded. Pitchers and catchers officially reported for five teams, with many more coming in the following days. 

The baseball season is like none other. It follows the seasons, beginning in the budding spring and ending with the harsh facts of fall and winter. Today is not only the day when pitchers and catchers report; today is the unofficial beginning of springtime. Today is the beginning of something new for fans in 30 major cities across the United States and Canada, along with those who have adopted teams around the world. 

The lights have been turned back on. In just 11 days, Spring Training games will begin. In 45 days, the Padres and Dodgers will be under the spotlight playing on Opening Night. And in 46 days, baseball will begin officially with Opening Day.

Is it just me, or is it time to play some ball?

--Devan Fink

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