How to Get Ready for High School Baseball Tryouts

The days leading up to a high school baseball tryout can be a nerve-wracking ordeal. Not knowing who you will be competing against, how well you stack up against the competition and what the coaches are looking for in their players are questions that will need to be answered. Preparing yourself mentally and physically in the days leading up to the tryout can give you an edge against your fellow competitors and help you make the team.

Instructions

    • 1

      Go to the batting cage as often as possible if you are a position player. Work on all aspects of your game at the plate, such as making contact, going with the pitch and laying down bunts. Try to practice at least an hour a day leading up to the tryout date.

    • 2

      Practice with friends or fellow players and work on your fielding and throwing skills. Practice fielding and throwing from several positions in case you are asked to play another position other than the one you are trying out for. Work on all aspects of fielding and throwing, such as fielding ground balls, tagging the runner, turning the double play, fielding pop-ups and hitting the cut-off man. Practice two or three times in the week leading up to the tryout.

    • 3

      Work on your pitches if you are trying out as a pitcher. Get a friend, fellow player or parent to catch for you on pitching to spots, changing you arm slot and different grips. Work on your delivery, both in the full windup and the stretch. Practice situational pitching, such as the type of pitches you would make to get a ground ball or keep a runner at third.

    • 4

      Improve your cardiovascular health by running or bicycling often. Work out with weights, such as leg exercises, to improve your stamina and your core strength. Use light free weights with a lot of repetitions to improve arm strength, especially in your throwing motion.

    • 5

      Take care of your body. Watch for any lingering pain and alter your workout schedule, if necessary. Eat healthy foods high in proteins and carbohydrates and low in refined sugar and saturated fats. Get plenty of rest in the days leading up to the tryout; at least seven hours of sleep per night and as much and nine hours of sleep is best for athletes.

    • 6

      Become a student of the game. Read up on baseball strategy and watch coaching videos to increase your knowledge of how the game is played.