TRYOUT FORM
What you should know before taking part in tryouts as a seventh grader:
The baseball teams at MEMS play on a standard high school baseball field using the NFHS rules – This means the pitchers will be throwing from a 60’ 6” mound and the bases are 90 feet apart. This is a difficult transition for many players in this age group, especially the ones who are still playing on the 46’/60’ fields. In addition, the bat rules require BBCOR/minus-3 bats ONLY. You will not be permitted to tryout using any other type of bat.
Approved Bats: Washington State University Sports Science Laboratory
Here is what to expect...
The first day is for pitcher and catchers ONLY. When there are more than 30 participants, the second and third days are tryouts for an A group and B group (divided alphabetically). The fourth day is the full group and concludes with a first cut (announced via email) . Once the first cut is made, we try to secure two outdoor sessions. In the event weather and field conditions are not cooperative, we will conclude with two indoor sessions and then a final roster of 14-16 players will be set. Important information will be shared on morning announcements so pay attention.
This information is to help you be as prepared as possible for the upcoming MEMS grade baseball tryouts.
Health and Academic requirements:
·It is YOUR responsibility to see the nurse and make sure that you are medically cleared to participate in spring sports. Forms below were distributed at the tryout meeting.
*Medical Update form - return to the nurse
*Consent Form - return to the coach
·You must be academically eligible to take part in tryouts - As per district policy; you cannot have more than two Ds or one F in one marking period of work. A progress report will be filled out by your teachers prior to tryouts. It MUST reflect sufficient grades and appropriate classroom behavior.
·Not meeting the above requirements before tryouts will prevent you from participating.
Areas of Evaluation (See Below):
Past accomplishments are not considered in the tryouts. Only what is seen in the few days by the coaching staff will be used in the selection process. You will be evaluated in the following the criteria explained below.
Good Luck
Areas of Evaluation:
Past accomplishments are not considered in the tryouts. Only what is seen in the few days by the coaching staff will be used in the selection process. You will be evaluated in the following areas:
Infield (Fielding Ground Balls)
Stance & anticipation
Positioning on the field
Fielding the ball cleanly and range
Transition & Throw
Outfield Fly Balls
Anticipation
Positioning on the catch & verbal communication
Fielding the ball, range, transition, & throw
Base-running
Speed
Stance
Awareness of game situation
Pivot, turn and sprint (first to second) & (first to third)
Batting
Stance, bat speed, & swing mechanics
Eyes on the ball throughout swing
Legs, hips, shoulders, arms and wrists work together
Strive for line-drives or well-hit ground balls.
Catching
Stance, target, & catching the pitched ball
Accurate and strong throws to all bases
Mobile on fielding bunts
Awareness of game situation
Proper communication with fielders and pitchers
Pitching
Form
Accuracy
Velocity
Arm strength
Poise
Maturity (Applies to All Players)
Baseball is as much (if not more) psychological as it is physical. A player will not succeed with physical ability alone. The successful player combines the physical skills with the qualities of maturity, discipline, cooperation, effort, and sacrifice. These qualities are absolutely essential for both team and individual success, lack of these mature behaviors demonstrates that a player is not yet ready to play baseball at this level.
What you should know before taking part in tryouts: The seventh and eighth grade teams at MEMS play on a standard high school baseball field using the NFHS rules – That means the pitchers will be throwing from a 60’ 6” mound and the bases are 90 feet a part. This is a difficult transition for many players in this age group, especially the ones who are still playing on the 46’/60’ fields. Some players are ready and some are not. Players who have experience on fields with these dimensions might be more successful at tryouts.
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It is suggested that you practice as much as possible on:
Running the bases
Fielding your position - Making the standard throws from your position.
For example: Infielders should be able to field a ball and make an accurate – hard throw to the appropriate base.
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-Outfielders should be able to track down deep fly balls and make accurate – hard throws to cutoff men or the appropriate bases.
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-Catchers – block balls in the dirt and make strong and accurate throws to second and third base.
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-Pitchers * You must have experience from the 60’ 6” distance. You should be throwing through the winter a few times a week to be prepared and have the arm-strength to throw hard and accurate. It could be dangerous to walk into tryouts not throwing all winter and participating in a tryout situation. Starting pitchers will be expected to throw 60-70 (80 max by season end) pitches per start; hopefully in 5-6 innings of work. * Players who make the team as pitchers will be expected to commit themselves to only pitching for this team with no exceptions. This rule is for your safety. A rotation will be set up and strict monitoring of pitch counts and inning counts will be made between the coach and the pitching staff members.
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-Batting * In compliance with the high school rules – all bats must not exceed more than minus 3 in weight in relation to its length. NFHS Rule 1-3 Art. 4: “A bat shall not weigh, numerically, more than three ounces less than the length of the bat (e.g., a 33-inch-long bat cannot be less than 30 ounces)”. * Do not go out a purchase a new bat for tryouts, however if you are not used to hitting with a -3 bat, practice with one. You will not be permitted to tryout using a bat that does not meet the high school rules. Borrow one from a friend and practice – this is a difficult transition.
NJISAA Bat Guidelines:
AS OF THE 2010-11 ACADEMIC SCHOOL YEAR THE FOLLOWING TYPES OF WILL BE LEGAL.
1. Any aluminum BESR baseball bat
2. Any aluminum barrel BESR baseball bat
3. Select approved composite BESR baseball bats that can be found on the NJSIAA website, http://www.njsiaa.org/SPORTS/Baseball.aspx
4. Any solid (one-piece) wood baseball bat
5. Any aluminum or composite BBCOR baseball bat
TRYOUT TIPS By:
THE COACH TIPS FROM THE COACH - Bruce Lambin
I was recently asked by a friend for some tips about how his sons should approach their upcoming Little League tryouts. They wanted to know how to catch the coaches' eye. The obvious answer is to play well. But there are a few things they should do to insure an eye-catching performance.
1.Understand that a tryout is not a social event. You are there to take someone's job.
2. Dress like a ball player. Wear baseball pants, cleats and a hat. You will get major deductions if you show up in baggy jeans and the latest skater dude apparel. Wearing your hat backward or sideways is a major no no.
3. When you arrive, place your equipment away from everyone else's. Run, preferably by yourself, to get warm. Stretch away from everyone else in the outfield. Coaches will notice that this is a serious,disciplined, knowledgeable ball player. Also your equipment is less likely to grow legs.
4. Throw sufficiently to be completely warm. There may be a lengthy wait while waiting to perform at your position. Be sure to keep throwing if necessary to stay loose and warm.
5. Many think that hustling and trying to aggressively make plays is the way to impress coaches. Understand that it is early season and your game is not in midseason form. When it comes time to show your defensive skills you will be much better taking it slow and smooth, focusing on proper mechanics. Get your feet under you and focus on making an accurate throw. The odds are if you try too hard, rush it and throw it as hard as you can, you will boot it and throw it into the stands.
6. When hitting, take a pitch to get a feel for the timing of the pitch. Be selective and only swing at pitches that you can expect to hit with a high degree of success. Here again it is early season so your stroke is not in midseason form. Don't overswing but just swing smoothly and try to hit line drives and hard ground balls. I once saw a kid hit four straight line drives turn to the coaches and say, its going to be a long day, do you want to see any more? I drafted him!
7. If you have pitching tryouts, again remember that your arm is not in shape. Make sure you are warm and then focus on using perfect mechanics, throwing only 80%. Throw a couple of curves again just focusing on the proper release. don't worry about really snapping them off but just flip them up there for strikes. Only on the last couple of pitches, if your arm feels good should you throw your full fastball.
8. Daddies and Mommies, stay away from the coaches. Lobbying will not help. Good Luck. It's going to be a great season.
Yours in Baseball Bruce Lambin
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Bruce Lambin is a World Champion Baseball Coach and producer of the only Baseball Training Series approved by Little League, Pony, Dixie Youth Baseball, and the National Association of High School Athletic Coaches for the training of their coaches and players. Some of Coach Lambin's accomplishments: * CABA world champion coach * Produced only video series approved by Little League, Pony, Dixie Youth Baseball National Association of High School Athletic Coaches * 6 Players in Major League Baseball * 30 players in professional baseball * Coached two sons who have played major college baseball, with Team USA and in the Olympic Festival * Coached over 150 pro & college prospects
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"Bruce Lambin Baseball Coach." Sporting Goods, Sports Equipment & Sports Gear at Discount Prices. Web. 09 Mar. 2010. http://www.hitrunscore.com/bruce-lambin-biography.html. "TRYOUT TIPS - Youth Baseball Knowledge Base." Welcome to InfoSports.com. Web. 09 Mar. 2010. http://www.infosports.com/baseball/arch/2541.htm.