Some of you who read this may be too young to remember that in spring training there use to be 'A' games and 'B' games. The 'B' games usually meant rookies and minor league players would be playing and normally there was no charge.
Then baseball came up with idea of split squads. This way they could charge full price for all exhibition games. Baseball policy was that each team was to start at least four regulars in these games. This rule has always been stretched. I remember attending a game between the Ranges and the Angels two years ago in Tempe. The Rangers brought a squad of players with the number on the back ranging from 76 - 95 with no names. In fact some of the players were so small I think they picked them up from a little league game on the way to the stadium. Since I don't follow the Rangers that closely I am sure they had four players that might have played for them the previous year. However there were no starters. This has been a common spring training occurrence for years.
This year with the World Baseball Congress this 'rule' has been relaxed. The Giant announcers Miller and Kuiper didn't think that the Angels even sent four AAA players to play the Giants. Actually they made quite a joke of it many times during the game. However you don't see the teams cutting their prices at spring training do you? Oh no you pay as much for Class A has the Major Leagues. Buyer beware! Another Bud Selig rip off.
Homer Sweeney
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