School Ball Tryout Tips

[Mr. Soft Balls]

Today is the 23rd of February and the start of school practices/tryouts. Last minute tips for the girls that will make the team and those trying to make the team? A difficult time of the year for some girls who have never had to face a tryout.

 

[coachjwb]

1) Hustle, hustle, hustle

2) Be very coachable and don't roll your eyes!

 

[crystlemc]

Do NOT expect to make Varsity just because your family has lived in that district forever.

Varsity is not an "equal play" situation. Just because you went out for the team, just because you made the team, just because you breathe, does NOT mean you should get equal playing time. Your effort, ability, and attitude should dictate playing time.

Play where the coach needs you. Don't get hung up on where you or your parents think you should be playing. The coach will (should) put you where you most benefit the team. Hence, the term "team sport".

Hustle, run on and off the practice "field", carry equipment, encourage and cheer on your teammates, hustle, take instruction, have a great attitude, and most importantly, HUSTLE!

I'm sure I will come back with more to add to this list...lol.

 

[ThompsonUSSSA]

Today is the 23rd of February and the start of school practices/tryouts. Last minute tips for the girls that will make the team and those trying to make the team? A difficult time of the year for some girls who have never had to face a tryout.

1) Show Value
*If your good at multiple items / positions, make sure coach(es) see all of these skills
*If you have a talent that the team is short on, make sure you show/shine at that. (Maybe your glove isn't best, but you hit the crap out of the ball. Maybe you run like a deer and would be a great base stealer/runner...?)
2) Don't be afraid to ask the coach(es) what they are looking for
*It shows them 2 things: How important it is to you to shine (make your roster spot!) and also you can communicate (play shy, you may get overlooked or lost in the mix, especially on larger roster teams)
3) Be COACHABLE. If they want you to learn or try something new, be open minded.
4) Don't be limited on what you can or will do.
*Last thing you want to do is limit a coaches option (see 'value' above). I always told DD's - get on the field 1st, then once on the field show them why your their best options at the positions (and lineup spots) that you want.
5) Fit in with the "In players".
*If you are someone that may rock the boat with bad chemistry on the team, they may choose lesser talent that fits the team better. Show you are one of the gang!
6) As stated earlier, HUSTLE! Effort goes a long ways...

 

[Fairman]

All Good advice.... I'll add a few.


1. Have all your health clearances in and completed. Sitting does't help you make the team.
2. Show up on time and don't leave until ALL the equipment is put away.
3. Bring everything you'll need like a glove or your shoes.
4. Be ready to go outside at the drop of a hat.
5. Help those players that need help.
6. Help the coach pick up and get ready for the next station or event.
7. When the coach is talking for goodness sake ....shut-up.
8. Laugh a little and have fun.
9. If the team is short on catchers then let the coach know that you'd try. (This works on all positions.)
10. Don't ever tell a Coach that 'my ________ (dad, instructor, cousin....etc) told me to do it this way' and then blow the coach off.
11.Throw, bat, warmup, hang with the better players.

 

[dennis golic]

a big plus is being a senior at a tryout that doesn't cut seniors.

 

[wvanalmsick]

a big plus is being a senior at a tryout that doesn't cut seniors.

Yep, always need someone to chart pitches.

 

[backstop09]

If the coach wants to see who is really dedicated, count on Saturday practices for the first couple of weeks. Probably wouldn't be a real good idea to tell the coach you can't make it because you have club volleyball.

 

[jcthatsme23]

If the coach wants to see who is really dedicated, count on Saturday practices for the first couple of weeks. Probably wouldn't be a real good idea to tell the coach you can't make it because you have club volleyball.

Or Soccer. Or Show Choir. Or Jazz Band. Or Work.

 

[Hilliarddad3]

Work will always trump the others in a coaches mind. Some kids need to work to help out at home....especially if kid is committed within, the coach will know most times that work isn't going to be a problem....especially if she's talented....

 

[Softballfarm]

Be the first one on and off the floor. Be coachable.

 

[Bat Dad]

Or Soccer. Or Show Choir. Or Jazz Band. Or Work.

I guess that introduces an interesting side topic. My daughter is 8U and also does gymnastics. I know other girls in older age brackets who also play soccer and / or lacrosse etc. At what age group for travel ball is there an implicit (or explicit?) expectation from the coach that the player in question needs to make a choice to solely focus on softball? Fair or not is it appropriate to require a 12 year old (just to throw out a random age) to make a choice to play a singular sport when she is trying to broaden her horizons in her young life trying different sports / extracurriculars / activities / endeavors?
My DD isn't at that level yet, I'm just curious as to whether this type of "pressure" exists in the culture going forward.
Great thread. Sorry for veering off topic a bit...

 

[wow]

Very hard question to answer. Each kid is different and as they develop the will tell you without ever saying anything. There are those who say multi-sport kids are well rounded and have better muscle development, other will say depending on the level at which you want to play requires fastpitch to NEVER end. The easiest answer is at 8U they should experience as much as they can. Yes this will interfere. However nobody cares what you did at 8U. But the other side of this is to let your travel ball coach know what you have planned and communicate, heck over communicate. Travel ball, at any level, will require some sacrifices. The trick is to find out what works for you and your family.

I will say by 9th grade the girls who are playing varsity and high level travel tend to make a decision to focus on fastpitch but this is 14-15yrs old. They also have aspirations of playing beyond HS. These kids also play other sports just focus on fastpitch.

At 8U enjoy the ride and find a passion. Try every sport, you may find she likes something better than fastpitch, just cant imagine why>????

 

[cz fastpitch fan]

Having been a travel coach for the last 5 years I decided to take on the task of coaching our school's 7th grade team.
What do I look for? It was well stated earlier with the one post that listed about 13 tips.
Number one above ALL OTHERS...EFFORT!!! Hustle your butt off. Show me that you WANT to be there and thay you are willing to work your butt off. My job is to help you develop your mechanics and techniques. Don't make me ask you to try harder.
By the way...any college coach will probably say the same. Control the controllables-effort and attitude.
Good luck to all who tried out.