Core Training

How Youth Softball Pitching Tryouts Could Be Improved

It’s the middle of February, which means tryouts for association teams is nearing. I spend most of my January and February months giving one on one pitching lessons and getting pitchers ready to tackle their individual tryout for their desired teams. Many of the students I work with come from different associations across Minnesota. What I have found over the years is that pitching tryouts are different for almost every program.

Some programs hire college players and pitching instructors to evaluate their pitching tryouts, while others rely on coaches and parent volunteers. Some programs require 10U players to hit spots as part of their tryouts, while others only care about throwing general strikes. This one kills me, but some programs award “bonus” points to pitchers who “attempt to throw” more than just a fastball and a change-up at the tryout. I get people walking in the door all the time eager to show the evaluator a drop ball or rise ball that they learned in one pitching lesson.

Tryout structures are reviewed and critiqued every year. If I were to give a pitching tryout to my clients in different age groups, here is what I would focus on as an evaluator.

10U

  • 10 Fastballs – watch for mechanics, accuracy, adjustments made by the pitcher
  • 5 Fastballs for speed – using a radar gun
  • 5 change ups – if they have it, watch for mechanics, accuracy, adjustments

I would make the 10U pitchers explain how they grip the Fastball. I would also make them show me their change up grip and explain how a change-up works. It’s important for the younger pitchers to understand that a change-ups purpose is to throw off the hitters timing. Evaluators should also make a note of pitchers who “give away” or slow up their motion to deliver the change-up. The change-up and fastball should have the exact same or almost the same delivery.

12U

  • 5 Fastballs – watch for mechanics, accuracy, adjustments made by the pitcher
  • 5 Fastballs for speed – using a radar gun
  • 5 Fastballs inside corner
  • 5 Fastballs outside corner
  • 5 Changeups – watch for mechanics, accuracy, adjustments
  • 5 Additional pitch – only one additional pitch can be thrown

When pitchers at this age group throw to the spots, I would ask them to explain to me how they are going to make the pitch go to the inside and outside corner. Many pitchers just look at the spot and “hope” that it goes there. This will give evaluators an idea on who the more advanced pitchers are and who can explain how they will position themselves, using two new power lines. Also, watch for those who slow down their motion in an attempt to hit a spot. No need for high and low spots here. If pitchers don’t have an additional pitch to show, they shouldn’t be looked down on. There are many great pitchers playing at high levels in our game who solely rely on a Fastball and a Change-up.

14U+

  • 5 Fastballs – watch for mechanics, accuracy, adjustments made by the pitcher
  • 5 Fastballs for speed – using a radar gun
  • 5 Fastballs low inside, high inside, low outside, high outside
  • 5 Change-ups – watch for mechanics, accuracy, adjustments
  • 5 additional pitch (up to three more)

For the 14U and above group, pitching to the four corners should be evaluated. Again, make the pitchers explain to the evaluator how they are going to position their bodies in order to throw to the spot. Make a note for those who mention adjusting their release point in order to hit the high inside and high outside corners. Change ups should be evaluated the same way as above. Be strict with change-ups at this age group, they should be able to sell the pitch as well as locate it (low in the zone). As pitchers enter 14U and above levels, it is common they will want to show additional pitches. Give them up to three more if they have them. Make the pitchers explain how they grip each pitch, show the proper body mechanics, and have them explain what the movement is going to look like. This is how evaluators will know who really understands and can really throw the additional pitches. Again, a pitcher should not be penalized for only throwing a Fastball and a Change-up at the higher levels. If they are lights out on their spots with speed and have a great change up, I would rank that person higher than a pitcher who is average at hitting spots and has three average additional pitches.

I also think pitchers should be evaluated on their fielding from the mound at the end of their tryout. If there is room, set someone up at first base. Have the pitcher throw a pitch to the tryout catcher and have someone hit the pitcher a ground ball from beside the catcher to make it game-like. Watch how the pitcher fields the ground ball or bunt and her throw to first base. Repeat five times. It’s important that pitchers work on fielding their position in the off-season months because it will carry over to their summer season.

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