It's that time of year when everyone involved in baseball is ready to go north and feel the freshness of spring in the air. Opening day for the baseball fan and player is a special time.  Spring training is coming to an end...finally..and everyone from players to media to grounds crews and probably even fans are relieved. It's too long.  The point of spring training is to get in condition to start the season, not to feel worn down and tired.

I've had some nice warm feelings this spring that I haven't experienced for a while. I have come out of retirement and gotten 'back in the game'. Mainly, I have my friend and business associate, Elizabeth Schumacher, to thank for that. And encouragement from other friends like Tim McCarver helped too.

Recently, I was given the opportunity to cover the WBC on MLB international by my friend and executive producer, Russ Gabay. It was a great experience. I won't live long enough to see it but it could eventually be the real 'World Series' of baseball. Now that it is over and I read the comments from players like David Wright and the Latino and Asian stars that played for their countries, I have a whole new outlook on the WBC. The enthusiasm from the other countries is tremendous. If the USA stars are not motivated to play, maybe the USA should be denied an invitation in 2013.

The World Baseball Classic will always have flaws as long as the MLB season is 162 games and major league clubs are paying the incredible salaries of the star players. But, with sensible leadership and thoughtfulness it can be a great event. I've heard from long time colleagues like Buck Martinez and Buster Olney that maybe two rounds could be played in March in a short period of time and the semi finals and final game during the All-Star break. Not a bad idea. Let's keep brainstorming until we come upon the best plan.

If there is one thing the World Baseball Classic has taught us is that 'we', the USA, don't own the game. There are players all around the globe that can really play and they're going to get better because they're beginning to play at an early age-- as players from my era did. We didn't have as many other sports to grab our attention in the 40's and 50's and now kids in the USA do. Baseball is the top attraction in many other countries. I actually wish it could be played again sooner than 2013. I'm eager to see it again.

While covering The World Baseball Classic, Pool D, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, I watched team Netherlands beat a star-studded team like the Dominican Republic.  It gave me the same feeling as rooting for an unranked and unnoticed college basketball team to advance in the NCAA tourney. Awe inspiring stuff.

I had another warm moment last week in Clearwater, Florida. As a member of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association (MLBPAA), I participated in a game against the U.S.  Military All-Stars. It was staged to benefit the Cal Ripken, Jr. Foundation. I had no idea the U.S. military even had a baseball team. It was a very cool moment to catch the ceremonial first pitches from six soldiers who were transported from a helicopter to a spot behind the mound at beautiful Bright House field. The shortstop on the U.S. Military team has two purple hearts and is a machine gunner.  He currently serves in Iraq. The soldiers range in age from 19 to late 40's. They love the game. Dan Duquette, former general manager of the Boston Red Sox is heading up the effort to get these guys more exposure. They travel the globe playing baseball while they serve their country as well. President Bush, #41, restarted the baseball program for the military in 1992. I hope to be a part of this wonderful program and have offered my services to teach their pitchers.

Well, less than two weeks away and the real fun starts! Can Tampa Bay repeat? Are the Yankees going to be the Yankees again? Will Chris Carpenter comeback after missing almost two seasons and win another Cy Young award? Will Derek Jeter still be an effective shortstop at 35? I can't believe he’s 35---it seems like just yesterday when I met a young 20 year old named Derek and his parents, Charles and Dorothy.

Time to play ball!