7 Baseball and Softball Tryout Tips

As middle school and high school players prepare for upcoming tryouts, here are some 7 helpful tips to have a great baseball or softball tryout experience.

1. 1. Arrive early
      • Arrive at least 15 minutes early for the tryout
      • Don’t be the player that shows up 5 minutes before the start of any tryout or practice
      • Show the coach you are excited and ready to compete
   2. Eat and drink healthy
      • Eat a healthy breakfast before tryout
      • Stay away from fried or greasy foods (probably all the time but especially for tryouts)
      • Bring plenty to drink and a healthy lunch or snack
      • Tryouts can often last longer than a regular practice day and you will want to be at your peak energy-wise the entire workout
   3. Dress the part
      • Make sure you have your athletic attire laid out the night before
      • Recommend attire: Socks, belt, pants, undershirt or ¾ shirt, jersey or t-shirt, hat, sunglasses or contacts, glove, bat, eye black if you wear it, pine tar, sweatshirt/jacket if needed, sliding shorts
      • Wear your uniform properly with t-shirt tucked in, belt on, and hat worn properly
   4. Don’t just be one of the guys in the crowd – Make a great first impression
      • When the coach calls everybody in at the beginning of the first tryout… sprint instead of walking out there or jogging out there like every other kid
      • Sprint directly to the coach and stand right in front of him
      • Stand tall and keep eye contact on the coach during the entire talk
   5. Do what you do well 
      • If you are a great fielder, show off the glove
      • If you are a great hitter, show your skills in batting practice
      • Don’t try to be an all-American at everything
      • Stay within yourself and stay focused on what you do best
   6. Who cares if you screw up – Next play!
      • If you make a mistake… oh well, it happens. Everybody makes mistakes. Always go on to the next play.
      • The best players react in a positive way to those mistakes and don’t let them snowball into a bunch of mistakes.
      • Remember these 3 letters: W.I.N.-What’s Important Now
      • Play in the present, don’t’ worry about the past or the future – focus on what’s happening now!
   7. Most of all have fun
      • Enjoy this time being outside and getting a chance to compete in the game you love
      • Do your best and leave it all on the field every day

Seeking Private Baseball or Softball Lessons?

Now is a great time to schedule individual lessons for your son or daughter with one of our talented instructors. Private lesson packages can be purchased online through the TSI website and payments for lessons are easily made through TSI’s online system.

If you need a recommendation for a private instructor, please contact Chris McKnight.