Tryouts...What do you look for??

I look at similar things, regardless of the age:
1. Arm strength- can they "get it there?
2. Arm accuracy- do they know where it is going?
3. Bat contact- can they hit it?
4. Bat power- can they hit it with authority?
5. Glove grounders- can they field it?
6. Glove flys- can they catch it?
7. Speed- can they run?
8. Baserunning- can they run smart?

I grade these items on a 1-5 basis, with 5 being the tops, then total the score and rank the players accordingly.

The success of this system is dependent on the tryout system and how well you know the players. Our league uses a very simple evaluation where it is tough to grade all 8 items. It is great to keep a track record of how players grade out year-to-year, then compare to their actual performance. It's pretty amazing that the good (all-star calibre) will almost always grade the highest, even if they haven't touched a ball since summer. The key is the "middle round" players (2's and 3's), and how well you can develop the hidden talent that lies within the kids. That's one of the joys of coaching kids--you just never know. JT