Yankees Pitchers and Catchers to Report On Valentine's Day

Forget the chocolate or roses, the Yankees will be reporting to Spring Training on Valentine's Day. THAT is a gift. Though we'll still be in the freezer in mid-February, the Yankees will getting ready for the season...hopefully with a re-tooled team.

Position players will report on the 19th. Hopefully Derek Jeter will have some new friends to play with.

Courtesy of the nj.com (Star Ledger), here's the Yankees Spring Training Schedule:

Feb. 25: vs. Florida State University, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

Feb. 26: at Pittsburgh, Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.

Feb. 27: vs. Pittsburgh, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

Feb. 28: at Detroit, Lakeland, 1:05 p.m.

March 1: vs. Philadelphia, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 2: at Toronto, Dunedin, 1:05 p.m.

March 3: vs. Washington, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 4: vs. Baltimore, GMS Field, 7:05 p.m.

March 5: at Tampa Bay, Port Charlotte, 1:05 p.m.

March 6: at Philadelphia, Clearwater, 1:05 p.m.

March 7: vs. Detroit, GMS Field, 7:05 p.m.

March 8: at Houston, Kissimmee, 1:05 p.m.

March 9: vs. Tampa Bay, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 10: OFF

March 11: at Washington, Viera, 1:05 p.m.

March 12: vs. Detroit, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 13: vs. Baltimore (split-squad), GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

at Philadelphia (split-squad), Clearwater, 1:05 p.m.

March 14: vs. Minnesota, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 15: at Baltimore, Sarasota, 1:05 p.m
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March 16: vs. Atlanta, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 17: at Pittsburgh, Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.

March 18: vs. Boston, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 19: at Atlanta, Lake Buena Vista, 1:05 p.m.

March 20: at Boston, Ft. Myers, 1:05 p.m.

March 21: vs. Pittsburgh, GMS Field, 7:05 p.m.

March 22: at Minnesota, Ft. Myers, 1:05 p.m.

March 23: vs. Toronto, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

March 24: OFF

March 25: vs. Philadelphia, GMS Field, 7:05 p.m.

March 26: at Toronto, Dunedin, 1:05 p.m.

March 27: at Pittsburgh, Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.

March 28: vs. Miami, GMS Field, 7:05 p.m.

March 29: vs. Miami, GMS Field, 1:05 p.m.

Tampa Yankees Hitting the Highway

In a move that has been in the works for quite a while, the Tampa Yankees (Florida St. League 'A+' ball) have reached an agreement to move north to Ocala, FL.  George M. Steinbrenner III will continue to host Spring Training for Derek Jeter, CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira and the rest of the Major League Yankees.

The city council of Ocala, a 90 minute straight shoot up route 75 from Tampa, will be presented with plans Tuesday for a proposed $45MM stadium and entertainment complex. The city's mayor, Ken Guinn, said a half-cent sales tax for a five year period would pay for the new ball park, though the tax would have to pass referendum.

If all goes as planned, the Tampa Yankees could begin play in Ocala in 2016. The reason for the move is a reported lack of interest in Single-A baseball in the Tampa area, especially with a Major League team located nearby.

The Steinbrenner family owns the Kinsman Horse Stable, which is located in Ocala. There is no word on future plans for GMS III Field outside of Spring Training use. While it will mean the loss of several jobs, the county and Tampa Sports Authority will not be affected since there are no ticket surcharges on Tampa Yankees tickets.