If you need a tryout format for your league, All-Stars, or for an individual team, here are some good guidelines that are flexible and give coaches a good idea of the players' abilities.
Make sure you run them. Whatever distances your bases are, make sure they run a dash from home to first and a dash from home to second. Time and log everything!
HINT: Run them side by side if you are running in the outfield. The competition makes for better times.
Hitting will make or break a team. Have a coach or a consistent pitching machine throw about 10 pitches to every player. Giving only 3 or 4 pitches may eliminate some good hitters. Don't always look for the guy who can knock one over the fence if he strikes out a lot. Look for the guys who hit the ball hard, hopefully gap doubles. While some players are hitting, make sure you have other groups doing something else, such as running or fielding. Don't put all the guys on the field and have them play a game...yet. When picking your team, always pick the guy that may hit for average and hopefully, some power. Remember, base hits will win you more ball games than the occasional long ball.
Fielding... When hitting to them, make sure you hit pop ups, grounders, line drives, slow rollers, and make them go right and left. I would take a guy who is a below average hitter and an above average fielder rather than a good hitter and a poor fielder (you just run out of places to hide them on defense, especially if you have more than one of this type of player). Offense wins games but pitching and defense prevents losses. Another potential problem to avoid is the guy that is very limited to one position. This absolutely will hurt you more than you can imagine. You will find yourself realigning an entire team’s defense when that one catcher-only or 1st baseman-only player is on your roster.
Let me list what positions need what attributes:
Catcher- Needs to be a very loud, aware take charge guy; May be even the smartest and most baseball-knowledgeable player on your team. You can't have a slow catcher, he must be agile and quick. If not, sooner or later it will come back to haunt you.
1st baseman- Also can't be very slow or it will hurt you. He must be able to cover some ground as more infield errors occur from bad throws than missed balls!
2nd baseman- Quick hands and quick feet. Doesn't have to be very big so he needs to be able to make contact at the plate especially if he is small and doesn’t bring too much pop with the bat.
Shortstop- The leader of your infield and very quick and hopefully, fast. If he can't cover the whole left side of the infield, than he should be a 2nd baseman. Should be very athletic and maybe your leadoff or #2 hitter.
3rd baseman- Strong arm, doesn't have to be the quickest but should be able to cover the line because your shortstop will cover to his left if he can't reach it. The older the player, the more he is looked at as a power guy.
Left Fielder- Should be able to charge in very well because he needs to play deeper than most of your outfielders due to so many right-handed pull hitters. Doesn't need the best arm but couldn't hurt.
Center Fielder- Good to great arm, should be one of the best and quickest athletes on your team. If he can't cover much ground, don't pick him or put him in left or right if he has a superior arm. He gives the corner outfielders confidence. Remember…the game is won "Up the Middle"!
Right Fielder- Big arm, needs to make the longest throws on the field. Again, the older the player, the more he is expected to hit for power. Doesn't need great speed, covers limited amount of ground.
Always watch players warm up and practice when they are not "in the spotlight;" that will tell you a lot about how they play.
Always make sure most of your team can pitch or catch. You can never run out of those. Pitchers at the younger levels tend to be the most athletic and/or advanced players.
In the end, play a game. Here's the best idea I have. Line them up and number off by threes. The 1's hit, the 2's play infield, and the 3's play outfield. A coach or machine pitches. Start them with a 1 ball and 1 strike count to speed it up. Pitch average fastball speed for the age group, nothing on either extreme. You will see a lot of repetitions, situations, etc., and the guys will relax and have some fun.
Remember, kids know how to play, some just don’t "test" as well as others.
Coach JP’s Note:
When evaluating baseball talent…
Think Arm Speed, Bat Speed, Foot Speed
And never forget, attitude, and all that that implies.
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