How pumped are you for baseball!

St. Petersburg, Florida - I just got an e-mail from the Rays with a list of important Spring Training dates. While it was nothing earth shattering, it did get me daydreaming about baseball.

This year promises to shake out real well. This is the year the Rays marked on the calendar to become a contender.  Evan Longoria is no longer a young rookie. Carl Crawford is vet looking toward his next contract. The starting pitchers now have some serious innings under their belt. And the Rays have a legitimite closer. This year promises to be a big year battling the Yankees and the Red Sox for the AL East.

Here's the schedule of events:

Thursday, February 18 Pre-spring training press conference with Joe Maddon and Andrew Friedman,
Charlotte Sports Park, noon

Friday, February 19 First workout, pitchers and catchers, 10 a.m. (all other workouts, 9:30 a.m.)

Saturday, February 20 Fan Fest Tropicana Field, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday, February 24 First full-squad workout, 9:30 a.m.

Friday, February 26 Photo Day, 7:30 a.m.

Monday, March 1 2010 Rays Charity Golf Classic, Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Bradenton, noon

The Super Bowl officially ends football season this weekend, now we can start looking toward some baseball. Go Rays!