This year, the end of the Winter Olympics will usher in spring, as the Major League Baseball Spring Training season kicks in on Tuesday when the Braves and the Mets throw the year’s first baseballs at each other. It’s easy to get caught up in the standings and to see your team do well through March and expect big things throughout the year as a result, but be careful with that. Spring Training is not so much about winning and losing as it is seeing what you have.

In Spring Training 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies finished 13-19-2, while the Washington Nationals 15-17-2. We all watched as Philly went on to the World Series while Washington had one of the worst seasons anyone could have expected. The point of Spring Training for players is to get in shape and re-familiarize yourself with your team and the game. For some, it’s also a tryout, as some holes in lineups invariably exist that several players play for. Some know they won’t break with the club; especially young players, but they’re there to get experience and pick the brains of coaches and stars in order to develop and become better.

These holes most notably appear in pitching lineups. Teams may invite over 30 arms to training, and will only break camp with 12 or 13. Most teams already have a few spots solidified, causing even more competition for the rest. As the weeks of March wear on, different waves of cuts will be made as some pitchers show that they either don’t have the stuff or are ready to break camp and, in most cases, move north with their clubs.

Spring Training is also a great time for fans. Visiting the many training complexes in Florida and Arizona gives fans a chance to get up close and personal with their favorite players. The relaxed attitude and close-quarters with players is a great experience for those who are lucky enough to be welcomed to the field. It’s definitely the time and place to invade the players’ lives, as competition has not fully sunk in, so if you want to experience baseball in a different way, March is definitely the time.