| If you plan to attend an upcoming independent | | | | championships, and they believe that they can go |
| professional baseball tryout then there are a few | | | | out, if necessary, and find hitting power from |
| things you should know. The major items you | | | | players who are released by the affiliated |
| should know are what the general managers, | | | | organizations. |
| managers, coaches, directors of player operations | | | | Pitchers need to show command of their fastballs |
| procurement, or other team and league | | | | in terms of location, movement, and velocity. The |
| representatives seek. This will help you focus on | | | | representatives want to know that their pitchers |
| your training and give you the best odds of | | | | are athletic and in command of good pitches |
| showing the teams what they want to see in | | | | because such skills are required at the higher |
| prospective players. | | | | levels. While a pitcher possibly can improve by |
| For all position players, perhaps with the exception | | | | working with a team's pitching coach, few teams |
| of catchers, teams are looking for speed. Unless a | | | | believe that such a pitcher could be valuable if he |
| first baseman or designated hitter shows | | | | doesn't demonstrate at least a high level of |
| impressive power at the plate, speed is what is | | | | command. The same applies for a pitcher's |
| sought. The professional level is much faster than | | | | second and third pitches. |
| the college level, and teams need athletes who | | | | Finally, if you make the afternoon scrimmage then |
| are quick. | | | | the team representatives will evaluate several |
| From there, overall arm strength is sought. | | | | factors. They want to see how you carry |
| Catchers are going to be judged on their "pop | | | | yourself and if you can be a leader during one of |
| time" throwing to second base, outfielders will | | | | these independent tryouts. Leadership, body |
| throw from right field to third base, and infielders | | | | language, hustle, and baseball instincts are all |
| throw all the way across the diamond. Arm | | | | evaluated so remember that you are always |
| strength and accuracy are what the team | | | | being evaluated even if you are not playing at |
| representatives seek. | | | | that time. |
| Hitting will not come into play until the afternoon | | | | If you master these skills you will give yourself, at |
| scrimmage. Sometimes, those running the tryouts | | | | least, the best possible chance to get a second |
| eliminate a large percentage of prospects before | | | | look from an independent baseball team. Many |
| they even have a chance to showcase their | | | | guys with great baseball talent never made it to |
| hitting skills. The representatives figure that if | | | | the independent level because they failed to |
| speed and arm strength are not present then the | | | | acknowledge what teams require. Learn from |
| player is already a liability. Their philosophies are to | | | | their mistakes and give yourself the best odds |
| have quality pitching and defense in order to win | | | | that you can. |