Tryouts, evaluations, assessment day: whatever your league calls it, it can make a young player's stomach flip. The good news is that a little preparation and a simple plan can turn nerves into fun. These tips work for Little League and any other youth baseball or softball tryout.
For Little League tryouts, help your child practice catching, throwing, fielding grounders and hitting for short sessions over two weeks, then show up early, rested and ready to hustle. In our coaching experience, evaluators notice effort, attitude and coachability as much as raw skill.
Train it: Level 2 Skill Builder programs ($49 each) → Free: Free Quick Check →What evaluators often watch at tryouts
Every league runs tryouts its own way, and many use their own forms and drills. Check your league's rules and ask what the day will look like. In our years of coaching and watching evaluations, these are the things that usually stand out:
- Hustle: running on and off the field, sprinting to first, chasing every ball.
- Catch and throw: catching the ball cleanly and throwing to a target with good footwork.
- Fielding: getting in front of ground balls and staying low.
- Hitting: a confident, athletic swing, even if it isn't perfect.
- Coachability: listening, making eye contact and trying a tip on the next rep.
Notice how many of these have nothing to do with size or talent. Every kid can hustle, listen and be a great teammate.
Little things count too. Saying "thank you" to a coach, picking up a teammate's glove, or cheering for the kid in front of you in line all show what kind of teammate your child will be.
A simple two-week tryout prep plan
Keep sessions short, 15 to 20 minutes, and fun. More is not better in the last two weeks. Always warm up first and stop if anything hurts.
| Days | Focus | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Days 1–3 | Catch and throw | Easy catch at short distances, then 10 throws to a target with feet lined up |
| Days 4–6 | Fielding | Rolled grounders: 10 to the middle, 5 to each side, then field and throw |
| Days 7–9 | Hitting | Tee and soft toss, 15 to 20 swings with one simple goal |
| Days 10–11 | Tryout rehearsal | Run the full order: warm up, throw, field, hit, sprint to first |
| Days 12–13 | Light and fun | Easy catch and a backyard game, nothing new |
| Day 14 | Rest | No practice. Pack the bag, eat well, sleep early |
Take a rest day or two along the way, and follow your league's rules on throwing and pitching. Not sure where to start? Our free Quick Check points you to one clear first step in a few minutes.
Tryout-day checklist
Pack the night before so the morning is calm.
- Gear: glove, bat, helmet, cleats or sneakers (check what the league allows), and a cup for boys. Make sure the bat meets your league's rules.
- Water and a snack: plus sunscreen and a hat if it's outside.
- Arrive early: 15 to 20 minutes gives time to check in, stretch and settle.
- Warm up: light jog, arm circles and easy catch if allowed.
- Hustle everywhere: jog to every station, sprint to first after every swing.
- Parents: sit back, smile and save the coaching for the car ride home, or skip it altogether.
At the plate, remind your child of a A Coach BK favorite: "Gotta swing it to hit it." Evaluators would rather see a confident swing and miss than a frozen bat.
How to help your child handle tryout nerves
Nervous is normal. It means your child cares. Name it together: "Your belly feels jumpy because this matters to you."
- Practice a reset: after a mistake, one slow breath, one word like "next," and get ready for the next play.
- Keep the goal small: "Hustle on every play and listen to the coaches." They can control that.
- Rehearse at home: doing the tryout order a few times makes the real day feel familiar.
- Stay loose: As Coach BK tells every player, play aggressive and athletic. Tight muscles come from worry, and loose ones come from moving and having fun.
- Talk about after: plan a treat or a fun stop, no matter what happens.
If your child makes the team, celebrate the effort. If not, say "I'm proud of how hard you worked," give them time, and later pick one skill to build. Our guide on what to say after a game has words that help.
After tryouts: keep building
Whatever team your child lands on, the season ahead is a chance to grow. Kids develop at very different speeds, and the ones who keep working and keep loving the game often surprise everyone.
If you want a plan, our Level 2 Skill Builder programs ($49 each) cover hitting, fielding, throwing, pitching, catching, baserunning, speed and game IQ, with 16 parent-guided sessions over four weeks. Pick the one skill that matters most right now.
And keep playing catch together. A few minutes in the yard after tryouts, with no pressure and no evaluating, reminds your child why they wanted to play in the first place.
One thing to remember
In our experience, hustle, attitude and coachability stand out at tryouts, and every child can bring all three.
What to do this week
Ask your league what tryout day will look like and when to arrive. Then start Days 1–3 of the plan: easy catch and 10 throws to a target, 15 minutes each day.
Parent questions
What should my kid wear to baseball tryouts?
Comfortable athletic clothes, cleats or sneakers your league allows, a hat if it's sunny, and a cup for boys. Bring a glove, bat and helmet, and check the bat meets your league's rules.
How can my child stand out at tryouts?
Hustle on every play, listen to the coaches and try their tips right away. A confident swing and a good attitude after a mistake are noticed more than parents expect.
Should my kid practice the day before tryouts?
Keep it light. Easy catch or a short backyard game is fine, but the day before is for rest, good food and a good night's sleep.