Should you play Spring Training or All Star Game TO WIN

[zahavasdad]

With the recent events with Tampa and the Yankees

Should spring training games be played to WIN and do things like knock run into the catcher, Knock Down the shortstop on a Double play, Brush back batters etc

Or should these games be played for fun and give people a chance to play (Rookies in camp a chance to be looked it)

[JerseySoxFan19]

just play to have fun and look at the new guys

[metfan13]

Spring training is completely different than the All-star game as long as baseball attaches some meaning to the All-star game. "This time it counts" and all that.

[Yankeebiscuitfan]

The word Spring Trainging says it all. It is all about practice and getting in shape again. So no need to push it to the limits IMO.

[sturg1dj]

you should play every game to have fun

[Imgran]

You should be in the habit of trying to win.

[Wade8813]

I'd say that you should always play hard, in both ST and the ASG, but you don't need to go to the level of knocking someone over, or anything.

Certainly, ST should give rookies a chance to be looked at, but the only way for them to be effectively looked at is if they're playing against people who take it seriously. But it's possible to take baseball completely seriously without trying to knock anyone over, and increase the risk that someone will get injured.

[Imgran]

I'd say that you should always play hard, in both ST and the ASG, but you don't need to go to the level of knocking someone over, or anything.

Certainly, ST should give rookies a chance to be looked at, but the only way for them to be effectively looked at is if they're playing against people who take it seriously. But it's possible to take baseball completely seriously without trying to knock anyone over, and increase the risk that someone will get injured.

I'd say I'm on board with that. Risking injury to yourself or someone else probably isn't something you want to do in Spring Training, but it's also something you might wanna be prepared to do for real games, and spring training games are to prepare you for what you want to do when real points are on the line. You don't want to be building up bad habits due to lack of effort.

But playing the game dirty and going out of your way to hurt someone else isn't acceptable in EITHER Spring OR regular season ball.

[Old Sweater]

Yeah you play to win but you also have to play the percentages what is best for your career and helping your team in the long run. Diving head first into the catcher blocking the plate, trying to make the team and impress the manager isn't a very good percentage for a long career.

[Cubsfan97]

I firmly believe you should play EVERY game to win. Of course Im really competitive and dont want to lose at anything. And think, if your sent home, the ball gets to home before you, the catcher is there waiting to tag you, what do you do? Do you barrel into him and try to score, or do you slow down and say "Oh well I dont want to hurt you so Im just gonna go back to third"

[Brooklyn]

With the recent events with Tampa and the Yankees

Should spring training games be played to WIN and do things like knock run into the catcher, Knock Down the shortstop on a Double play, Brush back batters etc

Or should these games be played for fun and give people a chance to play (Rookies in camp a chance to be looked it)

You should always be trying to win the game if you are out there. Players should only have an on/off swtich, nothing in between. Does this mean you play dirty or try to hurt someone? Of course not, but you don't do that in the regular season, either. You can play to win within the boundaries of sportsmanship.

It also depends who you are. For rookies trying to make the team, you want to be known as a hustle guy. You need to go all out every play to show you belong. For veterans, spring training is a time to get up to baseball speed, and possibly work on new things. For example, pitchers frequenly work on different pitches. Look at Mariano Rivera last year. he worked on a curve ball all spring, then I read he threw it only once all season. You can argue that he (or any other pitcher) was not trying to win since he wasn't throwing his best pitch in a specific situation. Or that manaers aren't trying to win since they don't field the best lineup. That is where the balance comes in. You need to do what is best for you and your team to prepare for the regular season, but once you step on the field, you should play your hardest.

[Brian McKenna]

I think you should play to win - but I also qualify that with:
-regulars and those who are assured of a roster spot should play to get in shape and avoid injury - the top stars usually aren't there in the closing innings to feel the greater pressure anyway
-those fighting for a spot need to do just that - full force as you would a regular season game
-those going down anyway need to do something to make sure they are remembered

I have absolutely no problem with a guy like Maddux coming out after taking a shot to the thigh in March; in fact, I would be a little ticked if he wasn't feeling well and stayed in. Contributions during the championship season are much more important for these guys - the team's success in the standings and at the gate depend on it.

Spring training and the A-S Game are just "exhibitions" - that's it. By the definition of exhibitions, fans are treated to a display of their idols but they're not guaranteed the bells and whistles of championship play.

[Pere]

you should play every game to have fun

You should be in the habit of trying to win.

True and true. :cap:

[dabigyankeeman]

It also depends who you are. For rookies trying to make the team, you want to be known as a hustle guy. You need to go all out every play to show you belong. For veterans, spring training is a time to get up to baseball speed, and possibly work on new things. For example, pitchers frequenly work on different pitches. Look at Mariano Rivera last year. he worked on a curve ball all spring, then I read he threw it only once all season. You can argue that he (or any other pitcher) was not trying to win since he wasn't throwing his best pitch in a specific situation. Or that manaers aren't trying to win since they don't field the best lineup. That is where the balance comes in. You need to do what is best for you and your team to prepare for the regular season, but once you step on the field, you should play your hardest.

Perfect quote Brooklyn. Each player has to do what he has to do in spring training. Overall the goal is not for the team to win, but for each individual player to either get ready for the season, to make the big club, or go make a good impression for the future. Thats why i dont pay attention to win/loss records in spring training, and all the people i know who razz me about how bad my teams are doing in spring training just make me laugh, they have no knowledge of what spring training is supposed to be for. That said, i do think that each team would like to win its last few spring training games so that they feel good and confident going into the regular season.

As to the All-Star game, in the past i would have said its just an exhibition to bring enjoyment to the players and fans, but now with home field advantage in the world series riding on it, you have to play it more seriously and try to win for your league.