And, yes, most of it is psychological. It's knowing that the players are there practicing, banging slump-busters, taking greenies, shooting up steroids, etc.

its just been such an angst filled off-season that even thinking about getting baseball going doesn't bring on that same excitement of years past.

I'm sure that will change in the coming weeks, I just don't seem to be anxious about the season right now.

Along the way there are landmarks, some with importance:
-Stopping at a fort for some supplies you don't have on the first day of free agency, hoping you're a banker from New York and not a farmer from Florida.
-Coming up on a river, not knowing how dangerous it is to get to the other side, and then crossing your fingers with hope that your GM isn't named Bavasi and he won't pay $50 to the Indians GM asking for $10 because his Plan A was to ford it but that fell apart when the water level was too high and he then waited around for a month hoping it would subside.
-Always my favorite part, rafting what's left of your wagon down The Dalles to your final destination during Spring Training.

But there are also landmarks that come without any real significance. Pitchers and Catchers reporting to spring training, just like Independence Rock, is certainly one of them. After you've played through a few dozen offseasons, the inevitable tombstones of horrible memories involving bad trades and worse free agent decisions begin to litter the side of the trail and add the association of heartbreak to an increasingly large pool of dates.

But how monotonous would that game be if you didn't have these landmarks to help remind you that you're growing ever closer to Opening Day? Four-plus months of nothing but barren wilderness with a buffalo named Beluga Tits and a gritty squirrel named Willie occasionally making an appearance. Today may be insignficant in the grand scheme of things, but it's an emotional pick-me-up. Baseball grows nigh. It's sunny and over 50 in Seattle for once. I can almost smell the fresh cut grass and hear the sound of baseball smacking glove.

This, amigos, is what Pitchers & Catchers is all about. I'm inscribing my random thoughts on the side of Independence Rock as we pass by. Anyone want to trade me a wagon wheel for some clothes? My DH broke both of his and I'm tired of watching him GIDP.

I just want Opening Day to come ASAP.