If your child is heading to their first travel or select baseball tryout, it helps to know what the day looks like. Every club runs things a little differently, but most tryouts follow the same basic plan. This guide walks through it from sign-up to the phone call afterward.
Types of tryouts
- Open tryouts: a set date and time where any player in the age group can come. Most tryouts on our site are this kind.
- Private or by-appointment tryouts: the club invites a player to a practice or sets up a time to see them. This is common when a team needs one or two players to fill a roster.
- Multi-day tryouts: some clubs hold two sessions, then invite some players back for a second look.
Our listings show which kind each club offers. Clubs that take players by appointment say so on their tryout page.
Before the tryout
Most clubs ask you to register ahead of time, online, by email or by text. Each listing on our site shows how that club wants you to sign up. Some tryouts are free and some charge a small fee. If the listing does not show a cost, ask the club.
Check the age group carefully. Clubs group players by age (8U, 10U, 12U and so on), and the cutoff date can differ between leagues. If you are not sure which group your child belongs in, ask the club before the tryout.
Plan to arrive 15 to 20 minutes early. That gives you time to find the right field, check in and let your player warm up without rushing.
What to bring
- Glove, bat and helmet (check that the bat is allowed for the league the team plays in)
- Baseball pants and cleats, or turf shoes if the tryout is indoors
- Catcher's gear, if your child wants to try out at catcher
- Water and a small snack
- A hat and sunscreen for outdoor tryouts, and a jacket for cold evenings
Check-in
At check-in, a coach or parent volunteer usually writes down your child's name, age and positions, then gives them a number to pin on their shirt. Coaches use the number to keep notes. You may be asked to sign a waiver or fill in contact details.
Warm-up
Most tryouts start with a team warm-up: jogging, stretching and easy throwing with a partner. Coaches are already watching here. They notice effort, listening and how players treat each other.
The drills
The exact drills change by club and age group, but these are common:
- Throwing: long toss or throws across the infield to see arm strength and accuracy.
- Infield: ground balls hit to each position, then a throw to first base.
- Outfield: fly balls and ground balls, then a throw to a base or the cutoff.
- Hitting: live pitching, coach pitch or a machine, depending on age. Each player usually gets a set number of swings.
- Running: a timed run from home to first, or around the bases.
- Pitching and catching: pitchers throw a short bullpen, and catchers show receiving, blocking and throws to second base.
Some clubs finish with a short scrimmage so coaches can see how players think during a game: where they throw the ball, how they run the bases, and how they back up plays.
What coaches look for
Coaches watch skills, but they are also picturing a full season with your child on the team. Along with the drills above, they look for:
- Effort: running on and off the field, chasing every ball.
- Coachability: listening, trying a tip right away, asking questions.
- How they handle mistakes: shaking off an error and staying ready for the next play.
- Being a good teammate: encouraging others, helping pick up equipment.
Younger players are often judged more on athletic ability and attitude. Older players are judged more on skill at their positions, so it helps to tell the coach which positions your child plays.
Where parents go
Many clubs ask parents to watch from the stands or outside the fence. It is fine to cheer, but try not to coach from the sidelines. Coaches want to see how your child plays on their own. Some coaches also notice how parents behave, since they will spend a season with you too.
Questions to ask the club
A tryout is also your chance to learn about the team. Good questions to ask a coach before or after:
- How many players are you keeping, and how many spots are open?
- What does the full season cost, including team fees, uniforms, tournaments and travel?
- How often do you practice, and where?
- How many tournaments do you play, and how far do you travel?
- How do you decide playing time and positions?
- When will we hear back, and how long do we have to decide?
After the tryout
Clubs usually tell families their decision within a few days to a couple of weeks, by phone, text or email. If you have not heard anything by the date they gave you, it is fine to reach out politely.
If your child gets an offer, some clubs ask for an answer within a few days and may ask for a deposit to hold the spot. If you are waiting on other tryouts, say so and ask how long you have. It is better to ask than to lose a spot or commit too early.
If your child is not picked, that is normal. Many players try out for more than one team. Ask the coach if there is one thing to work on, then keep looking. Fall tryouts often happen in a short window (in the Dallas area, most of them fall in two weeks of November: see our Dallas-area tryout season report), so there are usually other tryouts close together.
You can browse upcoming tryouts by age and state or get an email when new tryouts are posted near you. Getting ready for one? Read how to help your child prepare for a baseball tryout.