How to Conduct Fast-Pitch Softball Tryouts

Sports tryouts give coaches precious little time to fully evaluate players' skills. The athletes' narrow window of opportunity also reduces the acceptable amount of subpar performance, so an off-day or nagging injury can have a tremendous impact on surviving the cut. Fast-pitch softball coaches can benefit from a set routine and scoring system when evaluating players at a tryout. Assigning a coach to watch for intangibles like on-field leadership will make sure a valuable asset doesn't slip through the cracks.

Instructions

    • 1

      Review league rules for roster size and scheduling. Determine if any limits are in place for innings a pitcher can throw in a certain time period. These rules will establish the number of players needed at each position. For example, if the league permits pitchers to throw only seven innings a day and doubleheaders are scheduled on both Saturday and Sunday, then at least three pitchers should be kept on the roster — two starters and a reliever.

    • 2

      Set the criteria to be used in judging the performance of athletes at the tryout. Select five skills and establish a written points system so all coaches stay consistent in their ratings. For example, running, throwing speed, throwing accuracy, hitting and fielding are important aspects of fast-pitch softball. Set a number of repetitions for each position to complete, such as third basemen must field grounders and throw to first 10 times. One observer will rate technique on a 1-to-10 scale and another coach will track the skills. The skills scores, such as 1 point for a good dig, minus-0.25 points for a bobbled ball and minus-0.5 points for a poor throw, are added or subtracted from the technique score for an overall grade.

    • 3

      Schedule a one-day tryout at a local softball diamond. Promote the event in the media, through social networking and with postings at sports equipment shops, parks and batting cages.

    • 4

      Assign coaches and other trusted observers to evaluation stations at the tryout. Instruct one coach to hit fungoes for fielding drills. Review the scoring criteria with each evaluator and distribute lined charts for grading each player participating.

    • 5

      Assign yourself or the main assistant to watch the entire tryout. Select athletes who have intangible qualities or unwanted characteristics and make notes about their interactions with other players. For example, a shortstop candidate who is not the best fielder may have uncanny skills for directing players to the right position and offering encouragement. Meanwhile, a temperamental outfielder with natural playing abilities may be a poor influence in the dugout. Intangibles can change a player's overall score when the coaches meet following the tryout.

    • 6

      Give players a time frame for announcing the roster after the tryout ends. Describe how the decisions will be made, based on the skills scoring system used, and tell them where to look for the roster — whether posted at the diamond, listed on the Internet or printed in a local newspaper.

    • 7

      Meet with the coaches and observers immediately following the tryout, so the information is fresh in everyone's minds. Tally the players' scores for all five disciplines, making the needed adjustment of the technique scores based on the skills outcomes. Write the players' names on a white board at each position, along with the score. Discuss the intangible characteristics observed and whether it should change the order at any position. Review the roster limits decided upon prior to the tryout about players needed for each position. Fulfill the roster requirements and notify all of the players who participated in the tryout.