Tryout Tips
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Since everyone will be trying out for school teams and possibly other travel teams this year here are some tips to help you out:
1- Always say that you are a pitcher. Coaches love to see pitchers even if you are not, every team needs a guy that can eat up innings.
2- If you have played catcher in a competitive game before say you catch.
3- Take your warm ups seriously. That is the easiest time for a coach to pick out who can play and who cannot. Make sure you are catching the ball with two hands, bringing your hands together, crossing over right over left (for right handed players), bringing your glove back in towards your chest and throwing only four-seem fastballs.
4- Dress appropriately. Always wear a hat, tucked in shirt, belt, baseball hat, socks and cleats, but bring sneakers as well.
5- Be on time. If you are five minutes early, you are ten minutes late.
6- Always say thank you and shake the coach's hand after every tryout and practice. That can really go a long way.
7- Do not focus on where the ball is going when you are hitting but on your mechanics. If you need to take a swing to regroup, that looks good.
8- Do not show frustration during tryouts or act inappropriately. A school ball coach has to spend 12 hours a week with you at least. If your behavior is not up to par, it could not only hurt the team but also your status on the team.
9- Never walk on the field. Always sprint and hustle while on the field. Run out every batted ball and even sprint to first base on a walk.
10- Most of all have fun. Play loose. A coach would rather see you dive for a ball and miss than not go for it at all.
