8 Best Baseball Tryout Drills

Baseball tryouts are a critical step to assembling a competitive and well-rounded team. 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.

In order to run successful baseball tryouts, it’s important to run a series of position-specific drills that provide coaches with the data needed to make educated drafting decisions.

Keep reading to learn the 8 best baseball drills that can help you evaluate talent quickly and effectively.

How to Run Successful Baseball Tryouts

Hosting a successful baseball tryout starts well ahead of time, long before players step onto the field. Here are some tips below:

1. Plan Ahead: Set tryout dates, drills, and evaluator assignments at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
   
2. Set Evaluation Criteria: Use standardized scoring sheets or apps like SkillShark to ensure consistent feedback and objectivity.
   
3. Use Position-Specific Drills: Craft drills for pitchers, catchers, infielders, and outfielders.
   
4. Prioritize Safety and Flow: Set up stations ahead of time to avoid dead time and ensure proper spacing between drills.
   
5. Provide Feedback: Discuss with your team ahead of time the best method(s) for providing athlete feedback (to both players and parents).

Top 8 Baseball Tryout Drills

1. Baseball Running Drill: Round the Bases

Aim

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

Preparation

1. Line up players behind the home plate.
2. The coach 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. Baserunners earn one point for each base they touch.
4. Repeat the drill until all players have had at least one chance to round the bases. 
5. Ensure you keep track of points to declare a team the winner. 

2. Baseball Outfield Drill: The Shoestring Catch

Aim

This outfield baseball drill is designed to improve outfielders’ techniques by catching balls that land in front of them, 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. 

3. Basbeall Hitting Drill: Power the Hips

Aim

As the hips are the most essential part of producing bat speed, this baseball hitting drill is designed to develop a player’s hip power.

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. Baseball Batting Drill: Fast Hands

Aim

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

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. 

5. Baseball Pitching Drill: The Three-Minute Drill

Aim

This baseball throwing drill helps players develop pitching speed, run speed, and 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. Baseball Infield Drill: Start From the 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. Baseball Fielding Drill: Outfield Grounders

Aim 

This baseball outfield drill focuses on developing correct fielding techniques.

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 into 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. 

8. Baseball Pitching Drill: 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.
   

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