Fanpost Friday: Spring expectations

To see if we can generate some more interaction, we’ll be running Fanpost Fridays, at least through spring training - if the response is good, these will then continue once the regular season starts up. The aim is to pose a question, and have people answer it in the form of a Fanpost. Well-formed ones will then be promoted to the front page and featured on the site over the weekend, and you may even find yourself in Google News. Please also read and, as appropriate, recommend any submitted Fanposts.

The issue: What do you want out of spring training?

Last season, spring training was probably the highlight of the D-backs’ season. Having “won the off-season”, the team promptly rolled through the Cactus League, winning five more games than any other baseball team. But, of course, it all proved to be utterly meaningless: the warm, fuzzy feeling resulting from the early success evaporated within a couple of weeks of the regular season starting. It would be understandable if we are a little more gun-shy this spring. But here are some potential topics to discuss:

• Do you still “care” about results, either team or individual?
• Or are you more concerned about the process?
• Which players have most to prove?
• Pick a dark horse who can make a big impression.
• Will Mike Hazen make any more personnel moves this spring?
• Are you worried about the impact of the World Baseball Classic on Paul Goldschmidt, Fernando Rodney and the other participants?
• Do you think spring training is too short, too long or the right length?
• If you’re a local: going to any spring games? Why/why not? And what are your favorite parks.

Writing a Fanpost

Note: comments will be locked on this post. So the only way to respond is to write a fanpost, in which you set out your position and explain it. Get started by clicking here! This will then take you into the editor. In many ways, it isn’t all that different from posting a comment - you get some more flexibility with regard to formatting, and it’s a spiffier editor, but you can simply write away if you want. You do need to come up with at least 150 words. And yes, repeating “Shelby Miller sux” 50 times will result in a firm, disapproving stare from the SnakePit authorities. Do not go there.

Protip: You may want to write it up in Notepad or whatever, then copy and paste it over. Or if you are writing directly into the editor, be careful with the backspace button. If your mouse is outside the body and you hit backspace, it will take you back a page and you may lose any work that has not been auto saved. Just trust me on this one.

Useful link: Extra Fanpost help guide