HOMESTEAD(UPI)- The first day of spring training was just completed here at Almost Indian Stadium, in Homestead, Fla. Several hundered players practiced together, as this years' free agents were just too numerous too count. This is the first year for this camp, and it marks the beginning of a new era for baseball, following the busiest and strangest winter in memory.

You want strange? Check out these events since the last season ended:

• The players went on strike on July 9th, the day immediately after the Cannibals World Series victory. One of the most vocal of the strikers was firstbaseman Mark McGwire, who cited unfair J ratings. With the strike, all players' contracts became nullified, thereby making them all free agents. When the strike was settled (with no rule changes made) last week, all the players became members of the new "Strike Draft Pool."
• World Series hero John Valentin served a short prison stint this winter, following his arrest for aggravated assault and battery. Valentin apparently became incensed during an interview with ESPN2's Jim Rome, when Rome allegedly kept referring to him as "Valentine." Valentin is here in camp after receiving a suspended sentence.
• Cannibal Owner/GM Greg Nims had legal troubles of his own. APBA Journal has filed suit against him for alleged "trademark infringements." It might be noted that The APBA Journal is a partial stockholder of the Jamaica franchise. Mr. Nims is not in Homestead, as he is currently in Dekalb, IL, scouting a "farm" team. We reached Mr. Nims via telephone, but were unable to make out anything that he said.
• Rhinelander GM Ken Klein was busy touring the country, with a self-designed fashion show. Apparently tear-away clothes are quite the rage this year.
• Tallahassee President Dan Casper has alleged that the Tommy Division (or was it Maloney?) used juiced baseballs for all of its intra-divisional games last year, to increase their offensive statistics. Mr. Casper was then declared offensive by the league, and any suits were ignored.
• The Tahiti Owner/Coach Brian Boice became upset with his team when they would not allow any cheese sandwiches on domestic flights. The players revolted against Mr. Boice, and threatened to kill him. Mr. Boice then fled the States, and moved to Iowa. He sold the team to entrepeneur Jim Frank. Word has it that Mr. Frank also received a used 1982 Cavalier and $50. In return Mr. Boice got rid of all his problems (with the exception of something called a "plowman").

On a final note, it is rumored that at least five of the six teams have moved their franchises to unspecified locations.