

The Howe family reacts as the Tampa Bay (Fla.) Rays tie the Pittsburgh Pirates in the eighth inning of a preseason game in Port Charlotte, Fla. The Rays won in the 10th by a score of 4 to 3. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
Rays’ Evan Longoria rounds third base during a March 8 game against the Pirates. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
A New York Yankees booster seeks an autograph before a Tampa, Fla., spring-training game against the Pirates. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
Yankee captain Derek Jeter faces a Pirate pitcher March 9. The Pirates won, 12 to 7. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
A stadium attendee in Tampa at the Yankees-Pirates contest wears the ‘away’ jersey of former Yankee outfielder Bernie Williams. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
Tyler Goldberg, age 3, is pleased with the baseball he got at a preseason game. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
A man waits to add another autograph at a preseason game. Players are often more accessible and accommodating to fans during spring training. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
A cotton-candy vendor plies his wares at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
Rays pitcher Matt Garza shows his form at a game against the Pirates earlier this month at Charlotte (Fla.) County Stadium. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor
Yankees’ utility infielder Ramiro Peña obliges fans with autographs before a game. Taylor Weidman/Christian Science Monitor