| Happy New Year! | | | | rotate through the hitting cycle |
| While there is no great way to see exactly what | | | | At the end of the tryout, the candidates are |
| a particular player is capable of (short of inviting) | | | | asked if they pitch and/or catch. |
| 18 candidate players & staging a pick-up | | | | With the fact in mind that these are still kids, we |
| scrimmage game), Try this system with the goal | | | | have our tryouts on consecutive Saturday |
| of getting the players (& their parents) | | | | mornings. This allows those who may have had a |
| ready to go home within an hour & a half: | | | | "bad day" on their first tryout to come back for a |
| Sign up 20 candidates (or less) per time slot | | | | second chance. Only one tryout is mandatory to |
| & ask them to show up 30 minutes early to | | | | attend. If the candidate feels his/her best |
| warm up. Make sure an official from the team or | | | | performance was done at the first tryout, there |
| league is there to greet them and get them | | | | is no requirement to have them return for the |
| warmed up. | | | | second. |
| Have at least league V.P. along with 2-3 young | | | | This tryout system will give you results equal to |
| men (high school players if possible) (NOT team | | | | having a long involved 2 hour plus work out |
| coaches) to assist. | | | | involving additional base running and pitching. |
| Each candidate is to hit two ground balls at the | | | | Pitching and catching tryouts can be performed at |
| shortstop position. The candidate fields them both | | | | a later date. It will eliminate long lines and bored |
| & throws to 1st base | | | | players. |
| Each candidate is to hit two fly balls to | | | | Players should workout prior to their scheduled |
| approximately short left-center field. Both flies are | | | | tryout time. Going on the field cold, lowers your |
| fielded & throws are made to 2nd base | | | | chances of performing well. Many young players |
| & then to 3rd base on respective catches | | | | feel nervous, which is natural. Prepare for your |
| The candidates are asked to report to the dugout | | | | tryout as you would a game. This way, you can |
| for batting five at a time, with the remaining 15 | | | | combat the nerves, because you know that you |
| or so to stay in the field to "shag" the hits. Each is | | | | are ready to play. |
| given seven pitches from a pitching machine: the | | | | With spring coming up quickly, it's never too early |
| first two are bunted & the remaining five are | | | | to plan ahead. Youth Baseball Coaches who plan |
| hit "swinging away". After the last pitch, whether | | | | ahead will benefit when spring hits and you start |
| hit or missed, the candidate is requested to run | | | | to run out of time. I hope you find this article of |
| the bases. The candidate returns to the field to | | | | help. Come on spring! |
| "shag" the hits & to allow all candidates to | | | | |