It is that specific time of year when the air in Florida and Arizona starts smelling like fresh-cut grass and cheap sunscreen. You know the feeling. We’ve spent months staring at hot stove rumors and arbitration filings, but now the actual games are here. Except, there is a problem. Trying to nail down a reliable spring training tv schedule feels like trying to catch a 100-mph fastball with a thimble. It’s messy. One game is on a local regional sports network (RSN), the next is a "webcast" only available if you have a specific app, and the third is blacked out because of a rule written in 1974.
I’ve been through this cycle every February for two decades.
Why the Spring Training TV Schedule is Such a Moving Target
Broadcasters treat the Grapefruit and Cactus Leagues differently than the regular season. During the summer, you know exactly where to find your team. In March? Not so much. Most teams only televise about half of their spring games. The rest are usually radio-only or handled by a single camera parked behind center field for a "raw" stadium feed.
MLB Network is usually your best friend here, but they play a lot of games on delay. You might see the Dodgers and Cubs at 11:00 PM when the game actually ended at 4:00 PM. It's frustrating. You’ve basically got three tiers of coverage: the national broadcasts (ESPN, MLB Network), the local RSNs (like Bally Sports or YES), and the team-specific digital streams.
The schedule changes constantly. Rainouts in the desert are rare, but they happen, and sometimes a team decides last minute to scrap a broadcast because the "A-squad" isn't traveling to an away game. If Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge isn't in the lineup, the TV cameras might stay in the truck.
Where to Look When the Guide Says To Be Announced
Honestly, the MLB.TV app is the most consistent source, even with its flaws. If you are looking for the most accurate spring training tv schedule, ignore the generic sports sites that haven't updated their data since January. Go straight to the "Probable Pitchers" or "Schedule" page on the official MLB site.
Why? Because they toggle the "TV" icon in real-time.
The Regional Sports Network Trap
If you live in a team's home market, the RSN is still king. For example, if you're a Braves fan, Bally Sports South is going to carry the bulk of the "home" games from North Port. But if the Braves travel to play the Phillies in Clearwater, you might have to hope NBC Sports Philadelphia is broadcasting it. If they aren't, you're staring at a blank screen.
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Streaming services like Fubo or DirectTV Stream are generally the only way to get these RSNs now that YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV have dropped most of them. It's an expensive hurdle just to watch a relief pitcher you’ve never heard of throw three innings in a half-empty stadium.
National Broadcasts and the "Big" Matchups
ESPN usually grabs a handful of games, especially during the final week of spring training when the rosters are mostly set. These are easy to find. The trouble is the mid-March lull. This is when MLB Network carries games from local feeds. You'll hear the away team's announcers calling your home team's plays. It's weird, but it's better than nothing.
Navigating Blackouts in the Preseason
You would think blackouts wouldn't matter for games that don't count, right? Wrong. MLB’s blackout maps are still active during the spring. If a game is being shown on a local station in your area, MLB.TV will likely block the live stream.
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I’ve found that using the MLB App on a tablet is sometimes more forgiving than the desktop version, but that’s anecdotal. The real trick is checking the "split-squad" days. On days when a team plays two games at once, only one—usually the home game—will have a TV crew. If your favorite player is on the bus to the away game, you're probably out of luck for video.
How to Actually Use the Schedule to Plan Your Day
Don't just look at the time. Look at the venue.
Games in Scottsdale or Mesa tend to have better production value because the stadiums are newer and wired for higher-end broadcasts. Some of the older Florida parks are a bit "lo-fi." If you see a game listed as "Webcast Only," lower your expectations. This usually means a single camera, no replays, and the stadium public address announcer acting as your play-by-play guy. It's charming in a "high school football" kind of way, but it's not the polished product we get in July.
- Check the 48-hour window: Schedules are rarely firm more than two days out.
- Follow the beat writers on X: They usually tweet out the broadcast availability before the team site updates.
- MLB Network's "Strike Zone": Sometimes they do a whip-around coverage which is great if you just want to see highlights.
The Reality of Spring Training Media
The cost of producing a baseball broadcast is high. Each game requires a production truck, at least five to seven cameras, and a crew of about 20 people. For a game in Port St. Lucie that doesn't affect the standings, many networks simply can't justify the spend. That’s why the spring training tv schedule feels so fragmented.
We are seeing a shift, though. Teams like the Giants and Mariners have started using "low-cost" streaming setups—basically high-def automated cameras—to provide fans with a feed of every single home game. It’s not a full TV production, but it fills the gap.
Actionable Steps for the Dedicated Fan
Stop checking the general TV listings on your cable box; they are notoriously slow to update for spring ball. Instead, do this:
- Download the MLB App and set your "Favorite Team." The app will send you a push notification about 15 minutes before first pitch if a video feed is available.
- Verify the RSN status. If you’re a cord-cutter, check if your team is on a platform you actually subscribe to. Many RSNs now offer a standalone direct-to-consumer app (like Bally Sports+ or YES App) for about $20 a month. It might be worth it just for March.
- Sync with Radio. If there’s no TV, the radio broadcast is almost always available via the MLB app. There is something arguably better about listening to baseball on a Tuesday afternoon while you’re actually supposed to be working.
- Watch the Replays. MLB Network loops spring games all night long. If you missed the live window, set your DVR for the 2:00 AM slot. It’s a great way to wake up to baseball.
The schedule is a puzzle, but once you find the rhythm of which networks cover which days, it gets easier to track the progress of the roster battles and the new pitching mechanics everyone spent all winter talking about.
Next Steps for Your Viewing Setup:
Start by visiting the official MLB "Spring Training Probables" page. This specific page is updated more frequently than the standard schedule grid and will explicitly list the TV affiliate for both the home and away side. If you see a "Bally," "SNY," or "NESN" logo next to the game, you know exactly which regional app or channel to prime. For those without cable, checking the "Spring Training" tab within the MLB.TV interface on your smart TV will show you exactly which games are included in your subscription tier before you spend the afternoon scrolling.