Imagine you are attending a baseball game.

The weather is perfect, a balmy 80 degrees.

Your box seat, located five rows behind the dugout, costs five dollars.

The players, genuinely happy to be playing a game they love, chat with fans while they stretch.

The game is played with heart and the entire bench rises to high-five a player for simply advancing the runner.

Simply put, imagine baseball at its best.

For three weeks this utopia was a reality. It was called replacement baseball.

Having attended three Los Angeles Dodger exhibition games over spring break, I can honestly report that the replacement games were a on a similar level to Double-A (minor league) baseball.

The Dodger replacement squad, for example, was a melting pot of talented minor leaguers, former major-leaguers, and imported players.

Third baseman Mike Busch batted .263 in Albuquerque (AAA), belting 27 homeruns and knocking in 83 RBIs last season.

Pitcher Wayne Edwards, an ex-Detroit Tiger, had several strong outings this spring. The southpaw was equally effective as a starter or reliever, finishing with a 3.00 ERA.

Outfielder Tito "Say Hey" Landrum hit .245 along with 16 homers and 50 RBIs in Bakersfield (A).

Pitcher Miguel Alicea compiled a 2-2 record in Puerto Rico last year, racking up 39 saves with a 2.04 ERA.

This odd assortment of players won 20 games over spring training, and by the end of the three weeks had truly gelled to become a team.

There was an visible bond between players that is sadly lacking on most Major League teams.