| Tips for for having a successful baseball tryout. | | | | the coach you have the ability to hit the ball hard |
| 1. Be on time: If your not 15 minutes early your | | | | no matter where the pitcher throws it. |
| 15 minutes late! | | | | 16. Scare the coach: Mix in at least one or two |
| 2. First impressions are everything: Dress in a full | | | | balls that hit the L-Screen so hard that you scare |
| uniform. Spikes, socks, baseball pants, belt, | | | | the batting practice pitcher. Hopefully its the |
| uniform top, and baseball cap. | | | | coach, and when he thinks back to your round he |
| 3. Be prepared: (Spikes, glove, bat, cup, catching | | | | will remember getting the life scared out of him |
| equipment). | | | | when you hit the ball back at the screen in front |
| 4. Introduce yourself: If you have never met the | | | | of him. |
| Coach before make sure you go out of your | | | | 17. Pep in the step: No matter how your round |
| way to say hello and shake his hand introducing | | | | goes hop out of the cage with a little pep in your |
| yourself. This will show the coach you are a | | | | step show the coach this isn't the last round of |
| mature young man with a professional attitude | | | | BP you'll ever take in your life, whether it was |
| and strong self confidence. The type of | | | | good or bad show the coach you have the ability |
| confidence needed to lead a team, or get a game | | | | to stay focused even after a rough round. |
| winning hit. | | | | 18. Keep your head up: (players strike out |
| 5. Always on Stage: During warm ups make sure | | | | sometimes in their first at bat of the game, if the |
| you look like an athlete, taking each exercise | | | | player puts his head between his legs and sulks it |
| serious, no talking with other players even if they | | | | will bring the moral of the team down) coaches |
| try to talk to you. Coaches are judging you from | | | | need players that can rebound from failure and |
| the second they see you, don't think they are | | | | keep the team spirits up. Again "fake it until you |
| waiting for your bull pen or batting practice | | | | make it!" it really works guys. |
| session to make a decision. | | | | 19. Establish Mound Presence: Pitchers, Coaches |
| 6. Warm up Seriously: When the time comes to | | | | are looking for command of your pitches and |
| start warming up your arm choose your partner | | | | confidence on the mound. Don't worry if you get |
| wisely. Do not choose someone who looks like | | | | off to a bad start, the Coach is looking for your |
| they will have a hard time catching the ball, he will | | | | ability to recognize why you are making a |
| likely make you look bad. Do not choose a friend | | | | mistake and your ability to make an adjustment |
| who will not take the warm up seriously, if the | | | | to correct it. |
| coach sees you or your partner chasing the ball | | | | 20. Keep the ball down: You can never go wrong |
| across the field, it will look bad for you. | | | | by keeping the ball down even if you miss your |
| 7. Don't be a warm up hero: Warming up is NOT | | | | location. Don't change your mechanics for any of |
| the time to show off your arm. Coaches are | | | | your pitches, your fastball should look like your |
| looking for a player's ability to play CATCH, save | | | | curve and change and vice versa. |
| your arm for the defensive part of the tryout, or | | | | 21. Willing to learn: If you don't have a curveball or |
| your bull pen if you're a pitcher. | | | | if you don't have a change up, of if you have one |
| 8. Bring it in hard: After the throwing warm up the | | | | but its terrible, simply explain to the coach, I don't |
| coach will likely call players to "bring it in". Do not | | | | have that pitch but if you want to show me one |
| sprint full speed stopping an inch from his face. | | | | I will definitely give it a try. |
| This is "false hustle" and is a obnoxious. Do not | | | | 22. Be coachable: Coaches are not looking for an |
| walk either, on a faster than average jog make | | | | all star player. Yes all stars are fun to have. But |
| sure you are one of the firsts to take a knee in | | | | so are players with the ability to get better. It is |
| front of the coach. | | | | more satisfying for a coach to find a player he |
| 9. Eyes on the prize: Any time the coach is | | | | knows has athletic ability and the burning desire to |
| speaking keep your eyes locked on his, show the | | | | become a better ball player, and turn him into an |
| utmost attention. Do not be distracted by other | | | | All Star. That's why they are "coaches" in the first |
| players, you are there for one reason, to impress | | | | place. |
| the coach enough to make the team. | | | | A short story from personal experience. |
| 10. Stay moving: When it is time for defensive | | | | On March 28th 2008 on a sunny day in Melbourne, |
| drills, take a deep breath and hustle out to your | | | | Florida at the Washington Nationals Spring Training |
| position. Jump three times up into the air to | | | | Complex, I entered the office of the Minor |
| release some tension and keep your feet moving. | | | | League Player Director. By my side was my |
| Look excited, look ready, look like defense is your | | | | Manager for the past two seasons, a great man |
| favorite part of the game and you are ready and | | | | and a wonderful mentor to me Darnell Coles. We |
| willing to showcase your talents. | | | | both knew what was about to happen and neither |
| 11. Fake it Until you Make it: If you hate defense it | | | | of us had a word to say. I sat in that office and |
| doesn't matter, "fake it until you make it" that's a | | | | Bobby Williams the Minor League Player Director |
| great quote that means, try hard to look like you | | | | said "Ricky, you are an incredible ballplayer with |
| are completely comfortable on a baseball field | | | | tons of talent and you have been nothing but a |
| even if you are not, if you are able to fool | | | | model citizen in our Organization. Unfortunately we |
| enough coaches throughout your career, you'll | | | | were unable to find a spot for you on the High -A |
| keep making teams and moving up the ladder. | | | | roster for this season. We wish you the best in |
| 12. Hustle around the field: When its time to hit, | | | | your career, we know you will make a great |
| hustle in from your position grab your bat and | | | | coach someday, so if you find yourself heading |
| helmet and line up ready to hit. Try to take some | | | | down that road you come see us first. " I said |
| swings off a tee or even just take some | | | | with a smile to the 5 men standing before me |
| imaginary swings before it is your turn to hit for | | | | who had decided my fate, one being the GM for |
| the coach. | | | | the Nationals Bob Boone, the others were the |
| 13. Time the Pitcher: Time your load and swing | | | | Player Coordinators, "thank you guys for the |
| behind the cage while others are hitting, each | | | | opportunity to play professional baseball, you have |
| batting practice pitcher will have a different | | | | been nothing but good to me since the day I was |
| delivery and speed to their pitches. Notice the BP | | | | drafted, I know this isn't the end of my playing |
| pitchers arm slot, where does the ball come from, | | | | career but I appreciate the comments and |
| over the top or more side arm? This type of | | | | maybe someday when I do get into coaching I |
| mental preparation will give you an advantage | | | | will take you up on that offer." I shook each of |
| over the player who jumps into the cage blindly | | | | their hands and walked out the door. |
| without any clue how the pitcher is throwing. | | | | The point being I know what it feels like to not |
| 14. Establish a cage presence: How you enter the | | | | make the team. It's not fun, but even at the |
| cage will tell the coach a lot about our confidence | | | | professional level there is only so many spots on |
| as a hitter. Enter the cage with your shoulders | | | | each team, it doesn't mean you are not a |
| back and your chin up, dig into the box like a big | | | | talented ballplayer, it can mean a hundred |
| leaguer with a sense of cockiness and over self | | | | different things. My advice to a player who |
| confidence that coaches love. | | | | doesn't make the team is never give up, Michael |
| 15. Make some noise: Hit the ball hard. Make some | | | | Jordan didn't make his JV basketball team, imagine |
| noise up there. Don't worry about where the ball | | | | if he gave up?! |
| is being hit, and don't try to hit home runs, show | | | | |