Tryouts are an exciting time for youth baseball players — and a busy one for coaches and volunteers. Each baseball season, dozens of athletes step onto the field, excited to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the team. Meanwhile, coaches face the challenge of evaluating participants’ hitting, fielding, and base running abilities to ensure fair and balanced team assignments.
But baseball tryouts don’t have to be overwhelming. With the right plan, youth baseball teams of all sizes can run smooth tryouts that set players up for success!
Preparation for tryouts
From creating clear evaluation criteria to recruiting a volunteer team, thoughtful preparation can make all the difference on tryout day. Here’s how to make the process smooth and stress-free.
Logistics and planning
Smart planning starts with breaking tryouts into manageable chunks. Try splitting sessions by age group or position so every player has enough time to show off their skills.
If you live somewhere where spring weather can be unpredictable, securing an indoor facility is a must. Be sure to reach out to local schools or recreation centers well in advance to reserve gym time.
An equipment checklist will also save you from running around at the last minute. Make sure you have the basics like balls, bats, and helmets, but also think about items like stopwatches, hitting nets, batting tees, and extra evaluation forms.
Clear communication is key for smooth tryouts. Send players and parents a detailed message at least two weeks ahead with everything they need to know: what to bring, what to wear, when to show up, and what to expect. This helps avoid confusion and keeps things on track.
Pre-tryout registration
Getting paperwork in order before tryout day protects both athletes and the organization while streamlining the process for everyone involved. A solid baseball registration form should collect player details, parent contact information, and previous baseball experience.
Medical forms and waivers might not be the most exciting part of youth baseball, but they’re still important. Having these forms completed ahead of time allows coaches to focus on evaluations rather than chasing paperwork.
Make registration as easy as possible by offering an online option. Specialized baseball registration platforms like Jersey Watch help youth baseball organizations securely collect, store, and manage player information — all in one easy-to-access location.
Promoting tryouts
Posting flyers at the local sporting goods store is fine, but to really attract more players, you’ve got to go bigger. The more players you get to attend tryouts, the better chance you have of building balanced teams across all age groups.
These days, most parents and athletes look online for updates, so having a digital presence is key! That’s where Jersey Watch comes in. Instead of dealing with complicated website builders or relying solely on social media, you can create a professional-looking baseball website in minutes. Use it as your team’s one-stop shop to post tryout dates, times, locations, and registration details.
How to structure tryouts
Now that you’ve laid the groundwork for a successful tryout, it’s time to focus on what happens when players step onto the field.
1. Warm-up and conditioning
Start with light jogging and dynamic movements to loosen up muscles and get players in the zone. Pair them up to play catch to help them settle in and find a rhythm. As players go through warm-ups, they’ll begin to relax and feel more comfortable on the field.
Use this time to create a positive atmosphere by encouraging players, learning their names, and reinforcing the importance of minimizing injuries through proper warm-up techniques.
2. Base running skills
Time to see who’s got speed! A player’s quickness and base-running instincts can really make a difference on the field. Set up some drills to see how well your players round the bases, read the game, and make smart decisions.
How's their footwork? Do they understand how to pick up cues from their third-base coach? Figuring this out will help you assess a player’s overall awareness, reaction time, and how they handle pressure.
You can take things a step further by introducing agility-focused drills that mimic real game scenarios. Cone drills can mirror rundowns, while reaction drills force athletes to respond to signals by advancing or retreating.
3. Fielding skills
Defensive skills are a crucial part of any baseball tryout. Start with basic fielding drills to evaluate fundamental glove work, footwork, and reaction time.
- Ground balls: Look for a strong ready position, quick first steps, and smooth glove-to-hand transitions.
- Fly balls: Assess how players track the ball, position themselves, and complete clean catches.
- Angles and instincts: See if they take efficient routes to the ball and maintain focus through the play.
4. Infield skills
To challenge your infielders, add lateral movement drills to the mix. Hit balls to their left and right to test range and agility. Include slow rollers and choppers to evaluate their ability to barehand and make quick throws on the run. The best infielders react before the ball is even hit!
Double-play drills are key for testing an infielder’s footwork, hands, and baseball knowledge. Run feeds from shortstop to second, turns at second base, and transfers from third to second. Rapid-fire drills, where players must field a grounder and make an accurate throw under time pressure, are also important.
5. Outfield skills
Outfielders need drills that focus on their specific skills. Have them track and field balls hit over their heads to assess reaction time and positioning.
One important exercise is evaluating how they field ground balls and make strong, accurate throws to different bases. This shows off their arm strength and, just as importantly, their ability to make quick, precise throws while staying under control.
6. Hitting skills
A lot of players are eager to step up to the plate and show off their home run potential. Start with tee work to check on fundamentals like weight transfer, hip rotation, and bat path. Even experienced hitters should show solid form in these basic drills.
Soft toss drills are great for seeing how well players adjust to moving pitches while keeping their consistency. Watch their timing and pitch recognition - are they getting their front foot down on time and staying in a strong hitting position?
Finish with live batting practice. Start with fastballs down the middle, then mix in outside and inside pitches. For high school players, add in off-speed pitches to test their pitch recognition and their ability to stay back on the swing.
7. Pitching and catching
Pitching: Speed isn’t everything. A structured bullpen session allows pitchers to show off their command, mechanics, and secondary pitches. Keep an eye out for red flags like flying open too early, losing balance, or inconsistent arm slots.
Catching: Create an evaluation that covers all aspects of a catcher’s defensive game. Have pitchers throw a mix of fastballs and off-speed pitches to test framing ability and glove work. Set up blocking drills with pitches in the dirt at different locations making sure to focus on their technique and ability to keep the ball in front of them.
Evaluating and grading players
Now comes the fun part: assigning teams! Balancing skills with factors like coachability and team chemistry is key to building a strong, well-rounded roster.
Establishing clear evaluation criteria
Clear evaluation criteria help remove bias and make sure team selections are fair. To help with this, break down assessments into measurable categories that go beyond physical skills. For example, baseball knowledge deserves its own category — look for players who demonstrate good instincts and strong decision-making during baseball drills.
Don’t overlook attitude and coachability. Pay attention to how players respond to feedback and instruction. The best teammates show enthusiasm, support others, and maintain a strong, positive work ethic, even when faced with challenges.
Using a player evaluation scorecard
A good scorecard is your secret weapon for making fair decisions. Keep it simple but detailed so coaches can easily track each player’s skills without any hassle. Make sure it’s easy to use during drills — coaches should be able to quickly jot down scores and notes while watching. Don’t forget to leave space for standout moments, strengths, or areas to improve, so you can refer back to them later.
Assigning an overall grade and making selections
Rather than ranking players from strongest to weakest, start by grouping them by primary and secondary positions. Then, rank within each group based on both current skills and future potential.
When finalizing your roster and sending out acceptance letters, think about how the team will work together. For example, a third-ranked shortstop might get more out of playing full-time on the B team than just being a backup on the A team. Placing players strategically helps make sure everyone gets the right opportunities to grow.
Organize and run your baseball league with ease with Jersey Watch
A well-organized tryout sets the stage for an awesome season! It helps coaches build balanced teams while giving players an opportunity to highlight their skills. With the solid preparation and structure, tryouts can be a smooth and positive experience for volunteers, players, and parents alike.
Jersey Watch is a great solution for youth baseball leagues. It streamlines the entire management process, from building a website and online registration forms to team communication and scheduling. Our all-in-one platform helps leagues stay organized, reduce stress, and focus on player development.
Explore Jersey Watch today and discover why thousands of baseball players, parents, and volunteers trust our platform!
