So you're headed to a pro tryout? Great! They're a good spot to showcase your pitching talent. (If you're looking for one in your area, keep your eyes open around late spring, when most are held. A good spot to find one listed is in your local newspaper.)

Want to know how you can stand out from the rest of the pack?

I used to wonder the exact same thing as an up-and-coming pitcher, too.

Here's what I've found: Baseball tryouts can often be pressure packed, and most tryouts consist of a lot of pitchers with very little time to show what you can actually do. In order to standout, however, there are certainly a few things you can do.

Four ways to standout...

• When you first arrive at the pro tryout, make sure you jog for five- to 10-minutes, stretch, and throw to get loose.
  
• When you're called to pitch, run out to the mound, take the ball and work fast, but work controlled.
  
• Challenge hitters with your fastball, but don't over-throw it because you'll actually lose velocity and control. Be aggressive.
  
• Stay focused. Even though some of your friends may be at the tryout, too, don't joke around until the tryout is over. Stay focused, stay relaxed, and let it happen.

One last thing: Don't "buddy-up" to the scouts that are there. Scouts aren't there to make friends, they're there to evaluate talent. I'm not trying to be harsh, but when at a tryout camp, let your skills do the talking. Trust me. The scouts will buddy-up to you if you've got something they like!

Steven Ellis