How To Succeed At Baseball Tryouts
I get this question many times so I've decided to answer for everyone to see..."Jon, what is the best way to make a lasting impression during tryouts."
It's really simple actually, but you would be suprised how many mess this up...
1. Introduce yourself to the coaches holding tryouts. This is rarely done, but instantly makes you memorable to coaches who are understaffed and overwhelmed. I don't care if you're a local legend or just moved into town yesterday. This act immediately will label you as a leader and someone a coach wants on his team.
2. Look like a ballplayer. Full uniform, pants and hat. I don't care if everyone else is in shorts. You will instantly stand out when you're in full gear. And that's the whole point...getting noticed! And be 100% sure your hat is on straight AT ALL TIMES!
3. Listen. Follow exactly what the coaches tell you to do. There will be plenty of chances to show off your abilities. If the coach tells you to hit the cut-off man then hit the cut-off man. Throwing a grenade to the plate will only show the coaches you have yet to develop the vital skill of following directions.
4. Hustle. Be the hardest working player there. Sprint at all times.
5. Relax. If you make a mistake don't worry. Good coaches don't look at the end result in tryouts, although if you put on a show it certainly can't hurt! Just stay calm and let the work you put in during the off-season pay off...You did do your drills and exercise during the off-season didn't you?
That's basically it. You can only control what you do. So be 100% sure you have done everything in your power to get selected. And if you don't get picked never give up. Keep practicing and playing...Remember, this advice is coming from someone who was cut his Freshman year of High School. I didn't give up, made the team the next year and became a college All-American a few years later.
I would wish you good luck...but luck has nothing to do with it...go get 'em!
It's really simple actually, but you would be suprised how many mess this up...
1. Introduce yourself to the coaches holding tryouts. This is rarely done, but instantly makes you memorable to coaches who are understaffed and overwhelmed. I don't care if you're a local legend or just moved into town yesterday. This act immediately will label you as a leader and someone a coach wants on his team.
2. Look like a ballplayer. Full uniform, pants and hat. I don't care if everyone else is in shorts. You will instantly stand out when you're in full gear. And that's the whole point...getting noticed! And be 100% sure your hat is on straight AT ALL TIMES!
3. Listen. Follow exactly what the coaches tell you to do. There will be plenty of chances to show off your abilities. If the coach tells you to hit the cut-off man then hit the cut-off man. Throwing a grenade to the plate will only show the coaches you have yet to develop the vital skill of following directions.
4. Hustle. Be the hardest working player there. Sprint at all times.
5. Relax. If you make a mistake don't worry. Good coaches don't look at the end result in tryouts, although if you put on a show it certainly can't hurt! Just stay calm and let the work you put in during the off-season pay off...You did do your drills and exercise during the off-season didn't you?
That's basically it. You can only control what you do. So be 100% sure you have done everything in your power to get selected. And if you don't get picked never give up. Keep practicing and playing...Remember, this advice is coming from someone who was cut his Freshman year of High School. I didn't give up, made the team the next year and became a college All-American a few years later.
I would wish you good luck...but luck has nothing to do with it...go get 'em!
posted by Jon Doyle at Monday, February 26, 2007
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