Running an Effective Tryout

A major winter storm barreling down on the Chicago is a sure sign that baseball is upon us.  For those of you not from the north, this is, in fact, a common occurrence three days before the first day of tryouts.  Many coaches in cold weather climates run into the same dilemma that I have; you need to assess your players and select your team without actually getting to play outside. I can count on one finger the number of times I have held a tryout outside in my ten years of coaching. 

 
As I am preparing for our season, I am reminded that tryouts are a very bittersweet time of the year.  It marks the beginning of baseball season, which is very exciting.  But inevitably, it marks the end of someone’s baseball career, which is upsetting.  The worst part about it is that I get to choose whose career effectively ends next week.  This task has not gotten any easier over the past decade, so in order to rationalize the large responsibility I have been granted, I have come up with a few rules for our staff during tryouts: 1.) Keep the maximum number of feasible players, 2.) ensure that the tryout is fair, equitable, and takes as many facets of the game into account as possible, and 3.) be objective and honest in the cut process.

Below are some methods for making tryouts as fair and equitable as possible:

1.) Allow players to make as many decisions as possible in tryouts

     a.) Evaluate how they work/behave when nobody is directing them

     b.) See how they will perform when they are on their own

2.) Give specific expectations ahead of time

     a.) What intangible characteristics will you be looking at?

     b.) What skills will you be looking for at each position?

     c.) Share the evaluation tool with parents and players ahead of time

3.) Measure as many things as possible

     a.) Measure speed, don’t guess who is faster

     b.) Measure batting practice rounds

     c.) Measure velocity (if you can)

     d.) Measure strike and quality strike % for pitchers

4.) Decide what skills you want to emphasize ahead of time

     a.) Will you value offense or defense more?

     b.) How much will you emphasize speed?

     c.) What type of team do you want to have?

     d.) How many pitchers do you need for your season?

     e.) How much do you value players who play multiple positions?

Making cuts

The actual method of making cuts is not a one size fits all process.  Each coach needs to decide which method fits them and their community best.  The three basic methods are face-to-face, posting a list, and player letters.  Each has their advantages and disadvantages but as long as you are honest and unbiased, the process will go as painlessly as possible.  Below is a list of keys to making the cut process as painless for yourself and the players you are cutting:

1.) Be honest

2.) Be gentle (don’t go on and on about why you are cutting them)

3.) Give useful feedback

4.) Encourage 

5.) Keep ratings confidential (shared only with the parent and the player)

The cut process is not one that any coach looks forward to, but with a little planning the pain can be minimized for both your players and you.