Campbell Little League Baseball Tryouts Campbell Little League conducts annual tryouts to help our volunteer managers/coaches evaluate talent in an attempt to balance out the teams. This tryout evaluation process is done with the goal of making each division as competitive as possible while giving each player the best possible experience. Some of the important areas each coach will evaluate are: Skill level based on individual categories Hustle and effort in each drill Attitude and attention during tryouts Mechanics and fundamentals ALL players league age* 7 years and older MUST attend at least one tryout day.
Documenting the Tryouts Managers/Coaches will use a selection criteria worksheet to evaluate each player on different facets of the game including: Outfield Skills – Players will line up in the outfield. Each player will receive fly balls, at different locations, and throw the ball to second base. Managers will evaluate fielding technique, range, throwing strength, and accuracy. Infield Skills – We will arrange players on the infield and give each player a number of ground balls. The players will field the ball and throw to first base. We will evaluate fielding technique, range, throwing strength, and accuracy. Hitting Skills – Players will come up to the plate and take swings off of a pitching machine. Managers will evaluate the players based on swing technique and mechanics rather than how hard they make contact. Most kids will be off on their timing this early in the season so consistency making contact is not stressed.
*league age as determined by Little League International. Please visit www.campbelllittleleague.org >Links to identify league age.
Base running – Players will run from home plate to second base following their last pitch at the hitting station. Base running technique is evaluated for how well they round first base and their quickness to reach second base. Players WILL NOT slide into second base but will overrun the base instead.
Tryout Activities Players taken in groups to warm up: Depending on the overall size of the age group, players will be taken in groups of 10-15 at a time. Players will be called according to their tryout numbers 901, 902 etc. Please make sure each player has their tryout number attached to their hat or shirt. Warmup: Players will do a quick warmup running and then some light throwing to a partner. Outfield Skills: Players will line up fairly deep in left field. Each player will receive 5 fly balls with varying locations to check range and throws to second base. Infield Skills: Players will lineup near left field behind third base. Each player fields ground balls at the shortstop position. The coach will hit 5 ground balls to the player to throw to first base. Ground balls may be varied in location to evaluate range of player and throwing ability. Infield group will move to dugout to prepare for hitting skills station While infield group prepares to hit the next group will begin outfield skills station Hitting Skills: Players will come up to home plate one at a time to take swings at pitches from the pitching machine. Players will receive 5-7 pitches each so coaches can evaluate players for technique. *Machine speed will be adjusted to specific age group.
Thank You: Following the hitting skills station a league official will thank each group for attending and let the departing players/parents know what to expect in the coming days/weeks.