Yay Baseball!: Blue Jays at Phillies Spring Training Game Thread, February 26, 2014

This is the beginning of the end of our long, baseball-less winter. The Phillies are playing a baseball game today.

I don't want to hear about how this isn't a real game and it doesn't count. It's baseball. Played by the professional baseball players employed by the Philadelphia Phillies. There will be pitches and swings and balls and strikes and innings and outs and running and hitting. Sunflower seeds and big ol' wads of gum. Baseball caps. Uniforms. Sunlight and green grass and brown dirt and white bases. A scoreboard. Random music over the loudspeaker. Announcers. Play-by-play. And fans. Fans, and all the lovely noises they make. Talking. Clapping. Cheering. Booing. It's all glorious, and it's finally here.

I know you have excitement and joy in your heart. Let it explode forth from your chest and run free. Let it consume your very being. Bask in the restorative glow of this sport, this beautiful sport, which has finally returned to us.

The Phillies take on the Blue Jays today at Bright House Field. You can catch the game on MLB.TV, which is the best $130 I spend all year, and they're not paying me to say that. (If only.) The WPHT radio broadcast will also be available.

Are you watching or listening to the game, and have thoughts on what is happening? Then please comment below. Are you not watching or listening, but want to share your excitement about baseball? Then you should also comment below.

Welcome, 2014 baseball season.