Feb. 11.
Truck Day.
That not so inconsequential time when all the Red Sox Spring Training gear is loaded up at Fenway and leaves for Fort Myers.
Ah, I can feel the juices begin to flow again.
For those of you for whom these major events matter, here’s a list of significant baseball dates for 2012:
February 12, 2012
Voluntary report date for pitchers, catchers and injured players (Oakland and Seattle)
February 17, 2012
Oakland and Seattle full squads may report
February 19, 2012
Voluntary report date for pitchers, catchers and injured players (all other clubs)
February 24, 2012
Full squads may report (all other clubs)
Mandatory report date for all players on Oakland and Seattle
February 29, 2012
First exhibition game, Florida State University vs. Philadelphia Phillies, Clearwater, Fla.
March 2, 2012
First Spring Training game, Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics, Phoenix
Mandatory report date for all players on remaining clubs
March 11, 2012
Last date to renew Major League contracts
March 19, 2012
Last day to place a player on unconditional release waivers and pay 30 days termination pay instead of 45 days
Last date to assign an injured player to a Minor League club, if applicable
March 26, 2012
Earliest date that a club may backdate a placement on the Major League 15-day disabled list
March 28-29, 2012
Japan Opening Series 2012, Tokyo
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland Athletics
April 4, 2012
Opening Night, St. Louis Cardinals at Miami Marlins
April 5, 2012
Opening Day
April 10, 2012
The first date that a player placed on the 15-day disabled list during Spring Training may be reinstated (if placed on or backdated to March 26)
April 14, 2012
First date that a player optioned during Spring Training may be recalled
April 15, 2012
Jackie Robinson Day
May 13, 2012
Mother’s Day
May 15, 2012
Earliest date that clubs may re-sign players that they unconditionally released between August 31, 2011, and March 31, 2012
May 18, 2012
Interleague Play begins
May 28, 2012
Memorial Day
Start of Closed Period for the 2012 First-Year Player Draft
June 4-6, 2012
First-Year Player Draft
June 16, 2012
First date that Clubs may trade an eligible free agent player who was signed after electing free agency
June 17, 2012
Father’s Day
July 2, 2012
First date to sign international players for the following season
July 4, 2012
Independence Day
July 8, 2012
Taco Bell All-Star Sunday, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
Futures Game, Legends & Celebrity Softball
July 9, 2012
Home Run Derby, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
July 10, 2012
83rd All-Star Game, Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City
July 13, 2012
5 p.m. ET, signing deadline for players selected in the First-Year Player Draft
July 16, 2012
Competitive Balance and Forfeited Pick Lottery
First date that assignable draft selections may be traded (through October 3, 2012)
July 22, 2012
Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, Cooperstown, N.Y.
July 31, 2012
Non-waiver trade deadline, 4 p.m. ET
August 31, 2012
Waiver trade deadline. Postseason eligibility lists established at midnight ET
September 1, 2012
Active rosters increased from 25 to 40 players
September 11, 2012
September 11 Remembrance
October 3, 2012
End of 2012 MLB regular season
Immediately after the World Series
Eligible players become free agents
Sixth day after completion of World Series
First day that Major League and Minor League free agents may sign contracts with teams other than their former clubs
12th day after completion of World Series
Midnight ET, last date for a player to accept arbitration from former club
