Running a proper baseball tryout requires precise organization, experienced coaches who are keen judges of talent and a large enough area to give all players the opportunity to demonstrate their talents in hitting, pitching, running and fielding. Good coaches assess candidates on their performance and not their reputation from past seasons.
Step 1
Set up a batting cage so you can judge each hitter's ability to hit for contact and power. Give each hitter 10 swings in the cage so you can get a fair idea of what he can do. If you are using a pitching machine, 10 pitches should be enough for the batter to get 10 strikes to swing at. If you have a pitcher that can throw batting practice, it might take 15 pitches or more to throw 10 strikes.
Step 2
Judge infielders on their ability to handle ground balls and then make the throw to first base. Judge outfielders on their ability to handle fly balls and make quick throws. Each infielder should get five balls to handle and each outfielder should get at least three fly balls. Hit the ball at game speed. You have to be able to hit the ball hard if you are going to judge your hitters accurately.
Step 3
Time all your runners in a 90-foot dash. This is the same distance between home plate and first base. Running speed does not necessarily mean that a baseball player will become a good and dependable base runner, but it will give you an idea of how fast he can and his base-running potential.
Step 4
Conduct a scrimmage among those trying out for the team. This will give you an idea of how players respond to game competition. Some players will rise up in this situation and play well when they know they are being judged while others will struggle. It's better to know this before you select them to play on your team.
Things You'll Need
- Stopwatch
- Batting cage
References
- Baseball Excellence.com: How to Hold a Baseball Tryout
- "Play Baseball the Ripken Way"; Cal and Billy Ripken; 2004
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