Softball Tryouts: How to Prepare, Essential Tryout Tips

Thumbnail: Softball tryout by Minda Haas Kuhlmann (CC BY 2.0)

Softball tryouts are quite stressful, but with the right preparation and attitude, you can get the coaches’ attention and make the team. In this article, you will learn some important tips that will help you get ready for softball tryouts.

What Do You Do in Softball Tryouts?

I bet you are eager to know the tips to survive a softball tryout, but let me first describe what usually happens during one. Softball tryouts evaluate players’ abilities, physical attributes, and personalities that will fit in the team. Therefore, the process is normally divided into five main stages.

1. Warm-up and stretching: The players perform a dynamic warm-up and stretching exercises before engaging in any of the activities for the day.

2. Skill assessments: Coaches assess players on their throwing, catching, fielding, hitting, and base running skills. These assessments are usually very structured and include certain drills for each skill area.

3. Position-specific drills: Some players may be required to perform certain skills, such as throwing or catching, when they are trying out for certain roles.

4. Scrimmages and game situations: Coaches usually employ live play or game-like situations to observe how the players behave during high-pressure situations and how they interact with other players.

Fitness and conditioning: Some tryouts may include tests to determine endurance, speed, and strength.

During the tryout, apart from the skills and drills, the players are also assessed on their attitude, ability to learn, and behavior on the field. They search for players who have good listening skills, the capacity to incorporate feedback or adapt, and appropriate social skills.

Now that you have an idea of what kind of tests will be performed during the tryout, let’s check out the softball tryout tips.

Dress Like a Softball Player

Appearances count, and turning up for a tryout dressed like a softball player ensures that you are making the right impression.

• Wear softball pants or athletic leggings. If you have them, it is advisable to use proper softball pants. If not, athletic leggings are suitable. Do not wear jeans, shorts, or very loose pants that will interfere with your mobility.

• Choose a fitted t-shirt or jersey: Wear a t-shirt you can comfortably move around in. If you have a shirt related to softball or has a team name written on it, that is even better. Do not wear very loose T-shirts or very short tops like tank tops.

• Wear high socks: Most softball players wear over-the-calf high socks during the game. This gives a professional look and also covers your legs when sliding.

Footwear

• Cleats for outdoor tryouts: If the tryout is on a field, then wear softball cleats. Make sure they're broken in to avoid blisters.

• Athletic shoes for indoor tryouts: For gym-based tryouts, wear comfortable shoes with a good grip to avoid sliding.

Protective Gear

• Bring your own glove: Gloves must fit properly. Again, make sure it's broken in and in good condition.

• Batting helmet and face mask: If you have your own, bring them. Otherwise, the team might have offered those.

• Sliding shorts (optional): These can offer additional safety when gliding.

Additional Considerations

• Hair management: For long hair, tie it back neatly. This will keep your hair out of your face and give you a more professional appearance.

• No jewelry: Do not wear any jewelry, as this may be dangerous.

• Visors: For outdoor tryouts, you are advised to wear a visor or sunglasses to shield your eyes from the sun.

• Sunscreen and lip balm: If you are doing tryouts outside, protect your skin from the sun.

• Bright or unique clothing item: Wear one bright piece of clothing (socks or headband, for example) to make yourself stand out, but do not exaggerate.

Be Prepared for Weather

• Layer appropriately: Pack light clothing that can be easily worn over another layer, like a light jacket or a long-sleeve shirt, which you can wear or remove depending on the weather, season, and the area.

• Rain gear: If there is any possibility of rain, ensure that you are well-equipped.

Many softball and baseball athletes bring additional equipment such as an extra softball, face mask, and water bottle. It's a good habit to follow.

Be Prepared and Arrive Early

Research the Team, Coaches and the Program

Know about the team's background, coaches, how they play, strengths and weaknesses, and members.

Make a Tryout Kit

Prepare a small kit with spare laces, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages, and a small towel. Carry a snack and an electrolyte drink to help with energy replenishment.

Early softball tryouts training

It is advisable to begin training at least a week or two before the tryout.

Skill-Specific Training

Pay more attention to positional exercises relevant to the position you are aiming for. Infielders should work on quick transfers, especially the double-play turns. Outfielders should practice catching fly balls and then throwing the ball to the right base with speed and precision. Pitchers should focus on improving their accuracy and come up with new pitches.

Cross-Training

Integrate workouts that increase general fitness, for instance, yoga for flexibility, weight training for power, or swimming for stamina.

Nutrition and Hydration

Create a pre-tryout nutrition plan. Have a light meal about two to three hours before the tryout, preferring items that contain carbohydrates and lean proteins. Hydrate yourself well in the days before the tryout.

Record and Analyze Your Performance

For the weeks prior to the tryout, practice and record yourself and then review your form. This self-assessment can be useful for determining where you may need to make changes and monitoring your progress.

Mental Preparation

Try to picture what the tryout process will be like and set achievable targets for yourself. Keep on the positive side and concentrate on what you are good at.

Arriving Early

It is important to be punctual so that you have enough time to sign in, put away the equipment, and psych up for the tryout. This also tells the coaches that you are punctual and serious about being on the team.

Demonstrate Focus and Sportsmanship

Coaches are not just in search of talent but also players who have concentration and a good sportsmanship attitude. Here's the best way you can stand out.

Maintain Composure Under Pressure

• Stay calm during high-stress situations: Show them that you are capable of succeeding not only in the less important tasks but also in the critical and/or competitive ones.

• Control your emotions: Do not lose your cool.

Show Respect for Officials and All the Rules

• Accept referee decisions graciously: Do not protest a call even if you think it was wrong, and do not display any form of disrespect towards the officials.

• Follow all rules and regulations.

Exhibit Leadership Qualities

• Communicate effectively: Be polite and use constructive language with teammates and coaches throughout practices and tryouts.

• Support struggling teammates: Encourage those struggling with certain skills or tasks and offer help where necessary.

Display a Growth Mindset

• Embrace challenges: Demonstrate positivity toward challenging exercises or new techniques and consider them a chance to grow.

• Seek feedback: Request feedback and comments from the coaches and show them that you are receiving feedback positively and ready to improve.

Demonstrate Versatility

• Be willing to try different positions: To show your coaches that you are flexible, you should seize any chance to participate in different positions.

• Showcase a range of skills: To be on the safe side, try to showcase your athletic ability as well as your knowledge of the game, even if you are focusing on one particular area.

Get Ready To Show Off Your Skills: How to Do Good in Softball Tryouts

Throwing and Catching

Show correct and precise form. Coaches pay close attention to your arm motion and ball control.

• Proper throwing mechanics, including arm slot and follow-through

• Accuracy of throws to different bases

• Ability to make strong throws from various positions on the field

• Catching technique, including using two hands when possible

Fielding

Show your range and ability to make routine plays. Get in front of ground balls and make accurate throws. Focus on:

• Proper fielding stance and ready position

• Quick lateral movement and ability to cover ground

• Soft hands when fielding ground balls and fly balls

• Smooth transitions from fielding to throwing

• Communication with teammates on pop-ups and fly balls

Hitting

Make every swing count as if it were for a game. Demonstrate your mechanics, bat speed and control, and ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field.

• Proper stance and grip

• Consistent swing mechanics

• Skills to make adjustments to different pitches

• Power and bat speed

• Ability to hit to all fields

• Bunting skills (if applicable)

Baserunning

Display smart and aggressive base running skills. Know when to steal and how to take the shortest route around the bases. Demonstrate:

• Quick starts and acceleration

• Proper technique for rounding bases

• Ability to read and react to the ball off the bat

• Smart decision-making on when to take extra bases

• Sliding technique (if appropriate for the tryout)

Ask Questions and Be Coachable

Coaches always want to work with players who can be coached, that is, players who are willing to listen to what the coaches have to say. Exhibiting your coachability shows your desire to grow. Here are ways to exhibit your coachability.

Show Eagerness to Learn

• Look at the coaches when they are talking to you to demonstrate that you are paying attention.

• Nod or give verbal acknowledgment to indicate you understand instructions.

Show Adaptability by Applying Feedback Immediately

• If a coach gives you some advice or tells you to do something different, do it on your next try.

• Show that you are willing to change your strategy based on the coach’s recommendation.

• Do not argue or find reasons when things do not go well; rather, inquire how to improve.

Demonstrate a Growth Mindset

• Frame challenges as a way of learning and developing.

• When receiving feedback, use phrases such as "I am looking forward to that" or "I will definitely work on that and get better."

Have Fun and Enjoy the Tryout

Tryouts are often nerve-wracking, but you shouldn’t forget to have fun. Here are 5 tips to keep the tryout fun:

• Be optimistic and maintain confidence even when things go wrong. Coaches like players who can get back up when they are down.

• Concentrate on presenting your strengths. For instance, if you are a power hitter, work extra hard on your hitting and show confidence when you are at the plate.

• Approach the coaches and other players, greet them, make eye contact, smile, and be friendly. Coaches want energetic, good-team players.

• Have fun and go all out in your performance. Sprint during practice, go for the ball when it is within reach, and most of all, demonstrate enthusiasm.

Show respect to other players and your team by motivating them and not giving up even after a mistake.

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