| If you need a tryout format for your league, | | | | have to be very big so he needs to be able to |
| All-Stars, or for an individual team, here are some | | | | make contact at the plate especially if he is small |
| good guidelines that are flexible and give coaches | | | | and doesn't bring too much pop with the bat. |
| a good idea of the players' abilities. | | | | Shortstop- The leader of your infield and very |
| Make sure you run them. Whatever distances | | | | quick and hopefully, fast. If he can't cover the |
| your bases are, make sure they run a dash from | | | | whole left side of the infield, than he should be a |
| home to first and a dash from home to second. | | | | 2nd baseman. Should be very athletic and maybe |
| Time and log everything! | | | | your leadoff or #2 hitter. |
| HINT: Run them side by side if you are running in | | | | 3rd baseman- Strong arm, doesn't have to be the |
| the outfield. The competition makes for better | | | | quickest but should be able to cover the line |
| times. | | | | because your shortstop will cover to his left if he |
| Hitting will make or break a team. Have a coach | | | | can't reach it. The older the player, the more he is |
| or a consistent pitching machine throw about 10 | | | | looked at as a power guy. |
| pitches to every player. Giving only 3 or 4 pitches | | | | Left Fielder- Should be able to charge in very well |
| may eliminate some good hitters. Don't always | | | | because he needs to play deeper than most of |
| look for the guy who can knock one over the | | | | your outfielders due to so many right-handed pull |
| fence if he strikes out a lot. Look for the guys | | | | hitters. Doesn't need the best arm but couldn't |
| who hit the ball hard, hopefully gap doubles. While | | | | hurt. |
| some players are hitting, make sure you have | | | | Center Fielder- Good to great arm, should be one |
| other groups doing something else, such as | | | | of the best and quickest athletes on your team. |
| running or fielding. Don't put all the guys on the | | | | If he can't cover much ground, don't pick him or |
| field and have them play a game.....yet. When | | | | put him in left or right if he has a superior arm. He |
| picking your team, always pick the guy that may | | | | gives the corner outfielders confidence. |
| hit for average and hopefully, some power. | | | | Remember...the game is won "Up the Middle"! |
| Remember, base hits will win you more ball | | | | Right Fielder- Big arm, needs to make the longest |
| games than the occasional long ball. | | | | throws on the field. Again, the older the player, |
| Fielding.... When hitting to them, make sure you hit | | | | the more he is expected to hit for power. Doesn't |
| pop ups, grounders, line drives, slow rollers, and | | | | need great speed, covers limited amount of |
| make them go right and left. I would take a guy | | | | ground. |
| who is a below average hitter and an above | | | | Always watch players warm up and practice |
| average fielder rather than a good hitter and a | | | | when they are not "in the spotlight;" that will tell |
| poor fielder (you just run out of places to hide | | | | you a lot about how they play. |
| them on defense, especially if you have more | | | | Always make sure most of your team can pitch |
| than one of this type of player). Offense wins | | | | or catch. You can never run out of those. Pitchers |
| games but pitching and defense prevents losses. | | | | at the younger levels tend to be the most athletic |
| Another potential problem to avoid is the guy that | | | | and/or advanced players. |
| is very limited to one position. This absolutely will | | | | In the end, play a game. Here's the best idea I |
| hurt you more than you can imagine. You will find | | | | have. Line them up and number off by threes. |
| yourself realigning an entire team's defense when | | | | The 1's hit, the 2's play infield, and the 3's play |
| that one catcher-only or 1st baseman-only player | | | | outfield. A coach or machine pitches. Start them |
| is on your roster. | | | | with a 1 ball and 1 strike count to speed it up. |
| Let me list what positions need what attributes: | | | | Pitch average fastball speed for the age group, |
| Catcher- Needs to be a very loud, aware take | | | | nothing on either extreme. You will see a lot of |
| charge guy; May be even the smartest and most | | | | repetitions, situations etc. and the guys will relax |
| baseball-knowledgeable player on your team. You | | | | and have some fun. |
| can't have a slow catcher, he must be agile and | | | | Remember, kids know how to play, some just |
| quick. If not, sooner or later it will come back to | | | | don't "test" as well as others. |
| haunt you. | | | | Coach JP's Note: |
| 1st baseman- Also can't be very slow or it will | | | | When evaluating baseball talent... |
| hurt you. He must be able to cover some ground | | | | Think Arm Speed, Bat Speed, Foot Speed |
| as more infield errors occur from bad throws | | | | And never forget, attitude, and all that that |
| than missed balls! | | | | implies. |
| 2nd baseman- Quick hands and quick feet. Doesn't | | | | |