Revised Spring Training 2021 Begins in Two Weeks

The significant affects of the pandemic that affected the Grapefruit League schedule are not being seen in the more localized Cactus League, seen in the White Sox release of its revised spring schedule:

The original spring slate was 27 official games and three days of split-squad action, plus two days off, running between February 27 and March 30. The new slate runs February 28 through March 28, with one day off and no split squads, and a total of 28 games.

The first official pitch of Spring Training now comes two weeks from today, instead of February 26 as originally scheduled. The White Sox also see an increase to 14 home games at Camelback Ranch, as opposed to just 12 in the original schedule (15, if you count split-squad games).

Another change to spring — aside from the likelihood that all or some of the schedule will be played without fans — is that the first half of games (through March 13) can be shortened to five or seven innings, if both managers agree. Games after March 13 are intended to be nine-inning games, with managers allowed to shorten them to seven innings if mutually agreed.

Pandemic or not, selling games to fans that could be halved or quartered upon pregame managerial whim will not be easy.

One casualty of the revised schedule is losing two games against the crosstown rivals. The clubs will play a sort of home-and-home on March 15 (Camelback) and March 23 (Mesa); originally the teams were scheduled for one game at Camelback and three in Mesa.

As of now, tickets are still listed as going on sale, online only, on Saturday, February 20. The White Sox have a general spring training page where you can find info as well.