Tryouts

We want children that have an age-appropriate ability to stay focused and a willingness to follow directions. 

We need players who will show up to practices and are on time to pregame warm-ups.

Your child should be able to answer basic questions about baseball. For example: 

Q: What is the goal in a game of baseball? 

A: To score runs and to prevent the other team from scoring.

Q: How many strikes equal and out? 

A: 3 strikes. Foul balls count as strikes, but do not count for the 3rd strike.

Q: What are 2 ways to get an out?

A: Catch a ball in the air, tag 1st before the runner, batter gets 3 strikes, etc.

Q: Which bases can you over run?

A: 1st and home.

We will be looking for age-appropriate skills for the following: 

• Hitting (mechanics, bat speed, contact, power, bunting)
• Throwing (mechanics, quickness, ball transfer, arm strength)
• Fielding a grounder (straight on, to each side, slow grounder, fast grounder)
• Catching a fly (predicting ball path, catching, throw to cutoff)
• Base running (home to first speed, run through first)

• Drive
• Aggressiveness
• Determination
• Responsibility
• Leadership
• Self-Confidence
• Mental Toughness
• Coachability

The child will be assessed on everything listed in U8.

Your child will be asked situation baseball questions. For example: 

Q: If there are runners on 1st and 2nd, which base would be tagged to get the lead runner out?

A: 3rd

Q: The winning run for the other team is on 2nd, there is 1 out, and the ball is hit to shortstop. What should SS do?

A: Tag runner if possible. Otherwise, hold the ball to keep the lead runner at 2nd. (Bonus points: Fake throw to 1st and tag runner if possible.)

In 10U, we switch from machine to kid pitch, so we will be evaluating children for their ability to both pitch and catch:

• Pitcher (mechanics, arm strength, accuracy)
• Catcher (mechanics, agility in full gear)

Not all children will be evaluated for catcher.