How to Select a Rep Baseball Team

Rep baseball leagues are more competitive than recreational leagues. They are designed for players who want to test their skills against top competition. Coaching a rep baseball team can be a great experience; you get to interact with an elite group of young players who have a passion for the game. The first coaching step usually is selecting the players for your team. Take the time and care to select players who will be able to play together as a group and complement each other's strengths.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look at last season's strengths and weaknesses, especially the strengths and weaknesses of returning players. Consider where you need to fill in the gaps for the coming season.

    • 2

      Determine the team's style of play. In part based on last year's returning players and their strengths, you need to focus on what style of baseball your team will play. For example, you could build your team on strong defense and pitching supplemented by hitters with high averages, speed and aggressive base running. Or you could have a strong offensive team with defense concentrated up the middle in the shortstop, second base and centerfield positions.

    • 3

      Determine how many players you want. You want to make sure every play has plenty of opportunity, but you want to protect yourself against players who get injured or who have jobs or other things that cause them to miss games. For pitchers, choose and develop several players to avoid injuring young arms.

    • 4

      Decide whether to have a few players as alternates. If injury strikes or a player quits, it is useful to have a player or two who practices with the team and is ready to fill in.

    • 5

      Hold tryouts for all interested players in the age group. If there is a lot of interest, consider holding more than one tryout session. Organize the tryout according to positions and skills. Have sessions for pitchers and catchers, infielders and outfielders in addition to getting general metrics like base running speed and hitting average and power.

    • 6

      Be prepared to talk to parents. Unfortunately, every parent believes his child is rep team material, but only a handful can actually be on the team. It is easier to speak calmly with parents than shut them out, particularly for players who are not quite ready now but might develop for coming seasons. Articulate the team philosophy and style and how a particular player could contribute in future years.