Softball tryouts require a player to have confidence and a calm demeanor. When you are trying out for a travel, high school or college team, you will be putting your skills on display, and coaches will be evaluating them. While this can be stressful, it can also be an outstanding opportunity to demonstrate your development and find out where you stand compared to your peers.
Versatility
Coaches are looking for players with versatility. If you can play more than one position, they will look at you favorably when they make final evaluations of who should be on the team. For example, if you can play shortstop, first base and center field, a coach will feel good about adding you to the roster. A catcher who can catch fly balls and comfortably play the outfield when she is not behind the plate is valuable. And coaches want pitchers who can start or come in and relieve in tight situations.
Hitting to All Fields
When you can show the ability to hit to all fields, you will impress coaches. Demonstrate that you can hit the outside pitch to the opposite field and pull the inside pitch. This shows that you do not have any predetermined ideas of what you are going to do at the plate and that you are comfortable going with the pitch.
Fielding Fundamentals
Coaches want players who know how to get directly in front of ground balls and not field them from the side. They want you to throw the ball with a straight overhand motion and not sidearm the ball over to first base. Go back decisively on fly balls to the deep part of the outfield. Charge one-hoppers to the outfield, pick the ball up cleanly, and throw it in quickly. If you make an error, you can still make the team as long as your fundamentals are strong and your approach is consistent.
Pitching
A pitcher who has command of her pitches and poise on the mound has a strong chance of making a team through tryouts. Pitchers need to show they can move the ball in and around the strike zone and throw a variety of pitches. A good fastball is essential, but you need a change-up and a drop to go with it. If you also have a curve ball and rise pitch, coaches at tryouts will see your potential to be a dynamic pitcher who takes command when you get in the pitching circle.
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