8 Best Baseball Drills for Your Next Tryout

Tryouts are one of the most challenging aspects for baseball coaches.

The tryout process entails carefully assessing the abilities of your players in different positions, identifying those who show exemplary character and determination, and ultimately, selecting players who are a well-rounded fit for the team.

To achieve these objectives, it is imperative to have your players participate in baseball tryout drills that showcase their potential and capabilities.

This blog outlines the 8 best baseball drills for evaluating your players, giving you the insight and confidence needed for making team placement decisions.

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8 Baseball Tryout Drills For Evaluating Your Players

1. Round the Bases

Aim

This baseball running drill is designed to develop players’ base running and conditioning in a fun environment.

Preparation

1. Separate the tryout players into three teams.
2. The first team are baserunners at home plate.
3. The second team are fielders starting behind 1st base.
4. The third team are fielders starting behind.
5. The coach or player positions themselves 10-12 feet from home plate in a soft-toss position. 

How To

1. The first base running player steps to the plate.
2. Next, the coach tosses a baseball, and the player hits a line drive and then proceeds to round the bases.
3. The 1st player in the fielding lines from bases 1st and 3rd immediately runs to field the ball. 
4. As soon as both fielders touch the ball, the baserunner must stop.
5. Baserunners earn one point for each base they touch.
6. Repeat the drill until all players have had at least one chance to round the bases. 
7. Ensure you keep track of points to declare a team the winner. 

Watch the “Round the Bases” drill on YouTube

2. The Shoestring Catch

Aim

This outfield baseball drill is designed to improve outfielders’ techniques by catching balls that land in front of them or at their feet, hence the name “shoestring” drill.

Preparation

1. The player and coach stand approximately 15-20 yards apart in the outfield. 

How To

1. The coach will throw or hit a ball directly at the player’s feet.
2. The players will sprint in, attack the ball, and attempt to use proper technique to make the play (shoestring catch).
3. After making the play, the player returns the ball to the coach, returning to their starting position.
4. Reassure players that the ball will not bounce higher than their knees; this will allow them to catch the ball with confidence. 

Watch the “Shoestring Catch” drill on YouTube

3. Power the Hips

Aim

As the hips are the most essential part of producing bat speed, this baseball hitting drill is designed to develop hip power in the swing.

Preparation

1. Ensure every player has a bat.
2. Place cones at a safe distance from each other but close to the fence.
3. Provide every player with a ball.

How To

1. Ensure that players are aware that turning their hips through the hitting zone is the focus of this drill.
2. Have players stand at their designated cones while ensuring that there is a safe distance between each player.
3. The coach will blow the whistle, and players will begin hitting their ball into the fence while powering their hips through the hitting zone. 

4. Fast Hands

Aim

This baseball hitting drill is specifically designed to improve hand speed in players while hitting. 

Preparation

1. Have the player stand at home plate in their athletic batting stance.
2. The coach is set up to the side of the player.

How To

1. The players assume their batting stance, ensuring they are in an athletic position and relaxed.
2. To grip the bat, the player moves their bottom hand all the way up to the top of the handle. Then, the player inverts their top hand so that the palm faces the pitcher and places it above the bottom hand. Finally, the player lines the bat up with their top hand’s fingertips.
3. The coach throws a soft toss, and the player swings away.
4. Repeat, with a focus on speed, concentration, and proper techniques. 

See the “Fast Hands” drill in action

5. The Three-Minute Drill

Aim

This baseball throwing drill develops arm, pitching speed, and throwing endurance.

Preparation

1. The pitcher stands on the mound.
2. A coach or player is next to the picture with a bucket full of baseballs.
3. The catcher is at home plate.

How To

1. The pitcher throws as many pitches as they can in one minute before taking a one-minute rest. They then repeat this twice more for a total of 3 minutes of pitching, hence the name “three-minute drill.”
2. Ensure the pitcher completes their pre-pitch routine each and every time. 
3. Once the pitch is completed, have the player or coach quickly pass the pitcher the next ball. 

6. Start From Second

Aim

This baseball fielding drill is designed to teach players how to score when on second base. 

Preparation

1. Have three players in the outfield with a catcher at home base.
2. All of the remaining players should be in a line directly behind 2nd base.
3. The coach or another player is at home base with the bat and balls.
4. An assistant coach or another player plays the role of the 3rd base coach. 

How To

1. Have the coach or players hit fungo singles.
2. Now, the 2nd base runner will try to score unless stopped by the 3rd base coach. 
3. Repeat this drill by giving each player multiple chances to score from 2nd base. 
4. Ensure that the 3rd base coach provides the runner with verbal and visual cues. 
5. To make the drill slightly more challenging, you can have players start from 1st base rather than 2nd. 

7. Outfield Grounders

Aim 

This baseball outfield drill focuses on developing correct fielding techniques while also serving as an excellent warm-up drill for players. 

Preparation

Have your players line up in the outfield or put them in designated outfield positions. A coach, player, or even a machine will hit the balls to the field. 

How To

1. The player, coach, or machine hits a ball for each outfielder so that they can field using the correct techniques. 
2. Be sure to hit a combination of varying balls on the fielder, including directly to them and to their forehand and backhand sides. 

See the “Outfield Grounders” drill in action

8. Reaction pop-up drill

Aim 

This baseball catching drill helps players develop hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness on the field. 

Preparation

1. The player takes a “ready” position, about 10 feet away and facing backward from the coach or player.
2. The player should have their knees slightly bent and feet shoulder-width apart.

How To

1. Once the player is in the ready position, the coach or player will say “Go.”
2. As the player spins around, the ball will be tossed into the air.
3. The player will move into position beneath the ball and catch it.
4. Repeat this drill several times, changing the height and direction of the ball.
   

Expanding Your Coaching Toolkit

While our primary focus has been on the baseball drills, it’s valuable for coaches across all sports to have a versatile approach to evaluations and selection of baseball players. If you’re involved in coaching baseball or looking to expand your understanding of baseball tryouts, you can enhance your ability to run efficient and effective sessions. Here’s a brief overview to get you started:

Baseball Tryout Format

• Warm-Up: Dynamic exercises focusing on agility and flexibility.
• Baseball Throwing and Catching Drills: Assessing players’ defensive abilities, focusing on coordination between players and accuracy.
• Baseball Hitting drills: Evaluating hitters’ technique and power.
• Base Running: Timing players’ speed and assessing their decision-making skills.
• Baseball Fielding Drills: Assessing players’ reaction time and arm strength.
• Game-like scenarios: After running through baseball drills, emulate a “real-life” game scenario during tryouts.

Baseball Tryout Plan

1. Set Clear Objectives: Determine what skills and attributes are most important for your team.
2. Schedule Baseball Drills: Allocate specific times for each drill or activity, ensuring a smooth flow and minimizing downtime.
3. Include Evaluation Time: Build in moments for coaches to discuss and note observations about players’ performances.

Baseball Tryout Checklist

• Equipment Ready: Balls, bats, gloves, helmets, bases, and any necessary protective gear.
• Drill Stations: Set up stations for each planned activity to facilitate smooth transitions.
• Evaluation Forms: Prepare forms or digital tools (like SkillShark for baseball) to record player performances.
• Staff Assignments: Ensure each coach or helper knows their role and what they’re evaluating.
• Player Registration: Have a system in place for player check-in and information collection.

Looking For an Easier Way to Evaluate Baseball Players?

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