Tryout Tips For Players

[InSider]

First, I would like to wish all the girls going through the tryout process, the very best of luck. This is an exciting time of the softball year. I know I already did a post about what to and what not to do, which was more for the parents. Hopefully, this thread will help someone out who is unfamiliar with the tryout process.

1. Arrive early and be fully prepared to start on time. Have your gear all out and ready.

2. Talk to the other girls. Some may already be on the team, and some may be your future teammates, either that team or another. Be friendly to all.

3. Wear a brightly colored shirt. It will catch the coach's eye and help you to stand out.

4. Try to be at the front of each line. You NEVER want to be the last in line. Show some enthusiasm!

5. NEVER, and I mean NEVER, talk poorly about past teammates or coaches. Whether to the coach or to the other girls. This gives a very poor impression and will likely label you as a drama queen.

6. Look the coaches in the eye, speak clearly, and always be respectful.

7. Use your manners at all times.

8. Make sure you take enough water with you so that you don't have to rely on your parents to bring you more. Your parents should be sitting far away.

9. Do not look to your parents for instruction or approval.

10. Give 100% effort. Dive, slide, run, swing hard. Leave it all on the field.

11. Never give up on a ball. Finish the play unless otherwise instructed.

12. Always, always, always shake the coaches hand and thank them at the end of the tryout.

13. Be honest. If you are untruthful about past teams, why you left, your stats, whatever, the coach will find out. Travel ball is a very small world and coaches do talk.

14. Dress like a ball player. T-shirt, softball pants, long socks. If you need sunglasses or a ball cap, wear them.

15. Carry your own bag!

I am sure our wise members can add to this list. This is just what came to mind when I think back over my daughters' tryout experiences. Good luck to all the players and teams going through this process.

 

[FastBat]

Awesome! Good advice!

 

[Pacerdad57]

Sounds like you covered all the bases insider, great advice!
Now to get through it all in one piece!! Wacky season again!

 

[mike_dyer]

If a coach ever tells you "well, when she's in college she will have to ____________ so she better get used to it now."

explain to them that one day she will have to pay the gas bill if she doesn't want to be really cold in the winter but you're not going to make her do that either.

They need your kid, not the other way around.

 

[SMc4SMc]

"1. Arrive early and be fully prepared to start on time. Have your gear all out and ready.

2. Talk to the other girls. Some may already be on the team, and some may be your future teammates, either that team or another. Be friendly to all.

4. Try to be at the front of each line. You NEVER want to be the last in line. Show some enthusiasm!

5. NEVER, and I mean NEVER, talk poorly about past teammates or coaches. Whether to the coach or to the other girls. This gives a very poor impression and will likely label you as a drama queen.

6. Look the coaches in the eye, speak clearly, and always be respectful.

7. Use your manners at all times.

8. Your parents should be sitting far away.

10. Give 100% effort. Dive, slide, run, swing hard. Leave it all on the field.

11. Never give up on a ball. Finish the play unless otherwise instructed.

13. Be honest. If you are untruthful about past teams, why you left, your stats, whatever, the coach will find out. Travel ball is a very small world and coaches do talk.

14. Dress like a ball player. T-shirt, softball pants, long socks. If you need sunglasses or a ball cap, wear them.

15. Carry your own bag!"

-InSider, good post and great info for ALL.
Core returning players that goof off and gossip can gum up tryouts. Get ALL the "team" on the same page.

 

[kelbot]

Great list. I'd add the following: First one in (run in and get your water) and first one out / Always hustle. If a coach asks if you can do something you haven't yet learned, reply with I haven't done that before but I'm willing to try and want to learn it.

Also, do you guys remember a thread that was something along the lines of "questions to ask a coach before accepting an offer"? I've done some searches but the terms I'm searching are coming up blank. That had some great info in it.

 

[CoachB25]

Here are the first 7 off of my list I use for HS:

1. Affect SCREAMS! Carry yourself like you?re a ball player!
2. Understand that a tryout is not a social event. You are there to take someone's job. Yes, you are competing against friends and veterans. Nothing is guaranteed!
3. Don?t be the last person there. Don?t be the last person in any drill. Don?t be the last person to finish any run. I?m not saying that you have to be first. DON?T BE LAST.
4. Ball players are excited about getting to play. Make sure you have your equipment. Otherwise, you might leave an impression that you aren?t really excited about playing.
5. If you don?t understand a drill or what a coach ask, it is alright to ask for clarification. However, don?t make that a habit. If so, they will think that you just don?t pay attention.
6. If you anticipate a long tryout, make sure you have a snack ready to eat before practice. Don?t let eating this snack make you late.
7. Dress like a ball player. Wear softball pants/shorts if you have them, cleats and a top that you can practice in. Be prepared to go outside or stay inside.

BTW, no team "needs" your dd. My dd is holding tryouts for her 14U TB team. They are moving up from 12U after a 65+ win summer, winning 4 tournaments, coming in 2nd in two more and winning the 14U League. They will be playing "Elite" TB and so will decide between ASA and PGF. A dad of a "super star" and the super star showed up late though they were sitting in the parking lot long before the players gathered at the main facility. They interrupted the coaches when they were explaining what was going on and who went where. Then, the dad walked around telling everyone just how great his dd is and that she will be the star of the team. They didn't need her. When you attend these tryouts, if the team is worth its salt at all, there will be 25-30 minimum trying out.

I used the term "Elite" since I don't know whether they will be ASA or PGF. For PGF, this team would be "Premier" I believe. The other team comprised of those that don't make this team will be "Futures."