The following information was taken from the book, "How to Make Pro Scouts Notice You."  The book was written by Al Goldis & Rick Wolff.  If you are serious about playing professional baseball, you need to own this book!  The link below will allow you to purchase this book on Amazon.com.  The knowledge you'll gain by owning this book is literally priceless.  It will give you a step up on all the competition!

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Tryout Camps - by Al Goldis & Rick Wolff

Contrary to popular belief, scouts don't stage tryout camps for the purpose of finding prospects and signing them on the spot. It is true that every so often a ballplayer will be offered a contract based upon his showing in a tryout camp, but understand that such a situation represents a definite exception to the rule.

For the most part, a tryout camp allows a scout and his organization to take a close look at some of the better talent in a particular area. Players are usually timed in the 60-yard dash; then outfielders field and throw from the outfield, infielders throw from the infield and field some grounders, and pitchers take to the mound to throw an inning or two. All this generally takes place in the morning. In the afternoon, there is likely a game or scrimmage that gives the scouts a chance to see players' reactions and instincts in game situations.

Since there are 30 major league organizations, you might read about 10 or 12 tryout camps over the course of a year if you live in a major urban area. Each club wants its own scouts to evaluate and judge the talent, so if you're serious about wanting to land a contract, it is worth your while to attend as many of these separate tryout camps as you can. Not only will the experience help you, but the more scouts you impress, the better your chances of being labeled a prospect.

From Amateur to Professional

Every so often someone shows up as an amateur at a tryout camp and by the end of the day walks off the field a professional ballplayer. It is possible to be signed based upon your performance at a tryout camp and there are players who have done it. At a Pirates tryout camp some years ago, the Bucs signed a 24-year-old infielder who had finished college and was working as a computer programmer. That "find" - as discussed earlier - turned out to be National League slugger Art Howe, who played for several years in the majors. But such signings are extremely rare; you shouldn't expect anything so dramatic at the camps you attend.

It seldom happens that a talented ballplayer shows up at a tryout camp and the scout says to himself, "Hey, where did this guy come from? He's the next Mickey Mantle!" and rushes up to the newly discovered "phenom" with contract and pen in hand. Nine times out of 10, the scout already knows who this prospect is, and he has already planned to offer him a contract. In such cases, the scout is using the camp to take one last look at the ballplayer and to make sure his decision is a good one. This is particularly true when a ballplayer is returning from an injury the season before or has developed a new pitch or type of delivery.

Occasionally, however, a ballplayer comes to a tryout camp and takes the scouts by surprise. Doug Flynn, the former Gold Glove second baseman, was one of those rare players who showed up at tryout camp and got signed on the spot. Flynn played high school and some college baseball in Kentucky. But Doug, who now stands over 6', was only 5'4" as a high school senior. The scouts noticed him at that time but felt that he would be too small to play ball professionally.

During his college years, Doug preferred basketball and was an outstanding hoop star. It wasn't until he started to grow that he thought about baseball again; even then, he was playing softball rather than baseball. But his friends heard that the Cincinnati Reds were having an open tryout camp and urged Doug to attend. The way Flynn tells the story, he said, yes, he'd go, but on the big day, he overslept. His friends had to roust him out of bed and get him into uniform and over to the camp.

Once there, Doug hit well, fielded flawlessly, showed a strong arm, and displayed excellent speed. As a result, the Reds offered him a contract on the spot. That, however, is an uncommon story. The majority of players at tryout camps are there because the scouts know their talent and want to follow up on them.

Open Versus Closed Tryouts

There are two types of tryout camps - open and closed. Open camps are just that - open to anyone who views himself as a pro prospect. An organization may run as many as a dozen of these each year. It typically gets the word out by running an advertisement in the local papers or by telling high school and college coaches. If you have written to a ball club asking for a tryout, they will notify you about any open tryout camp in your area. (See Appendix B for a complete listing of major league baseball organization addresses.)

As you can imagine, open camps draw hundreds of players, sometimes as many as 500 in one day. The camp usually starts at 9 a.m. and runs all day.

I once ran a camp at which 99 pitchers showed up. Since I wanted each kid to pitch at least one inning in a game situation, the camp lasted until dark. Open tryouts can mean a long day at the ballpark; with a lot of nervous waiting around to show your stuff.

Although you no doubt dream of being offered a contract on the spot, realistically, your purpose for attending a tryout camp is to let the scouts know that you exist, that you have some professional talent, and that they should start a follow-up card on you. If you accomplish those goals, you can consider the camp a success. Most kids who attend tryout camps couldn't sign a contract anyway, because they're still in school. (There are strict rules and regulations covering who can be signed and when. See Appendix A for more in- formation, including selected rules from the Baseball Blue Book.)

A closed tryout camp is by invitation only, and only select players are asked to attend. The tryout may be held at a major league stadium; others are staged at local college or high school fields. Wherever they are held, scouts 'try to keep news of them quiet to avoid attracting crowds.

Scouts usually extend invitations to closed tryout camps through the mail; sometimes a scout will have verbally invited you first. Such camps are normally restricted to between 12 and 30 players; you can assume if you're invited that the scouts are serious about you as a potential prospect.

Normally, the scout will have seen you play several times during the season, or has seen you at an open tryout camp. The closed session is another opportunity to compare you to other top prospects. Occasionally, a scout will, invite a ballplayer who's been released by another organization and still wants to play pro ball. Or he may invite a player who looked good last year but suffered a serious injury, to see whether that person can still be considered a prospect. Sometimes a local college coach recommends a senior whom he feels has been overlooked by the scouts - that player may be invited as well.

Closed camps rarely run as long as open camps, simply because there are fewer players present for the scouts to observe. The activities, however, are typically the same: You can expect to be tested on your ability to throw, run, hit and field. In fact, in the closed camp setting you're likely to get an even more extensive workout.

The Purpose of Tryout Camps

If you will be attending a tryout camp, set your sights on simply convincing the scouts that you have talent and that they should definitely follow up on you. You are likely to be disappointed if you count on being signed there. The scouts at tryout camps are looking for tools: speed, hitting, throwing, fielding, and power.

You'll be asked to demonstrate your baseball tools; if you are impressive, you will fill out a prospect card listing important information about yourself. If you get to this step, you deserve a congratulatory pat on the back - you have impressed the scouts so well that they want to keep a card on you. That marks a significant accomplishment and step forward on the road to becoming a professional.

You may wonder, "How in the world can I make an impression if I'm only allowed a few throws from the outfield or ground balls in the infield?" Al- though it may seem like you're not getting much of a shot, remember that the scouts are very experienced in looking for the tools of a major leaguer. They're looking for basic raw material.

A tryout camp is not the type of setting where a scout attempts to judge your instincts, your ability to play in a game situation, or your desire to win. Rather, it is an opportunity for a scout to check out the players' basic baseball abilities. 

Your primary aim in this kind of tryout is to impress the scout with your physical abilities. Don't hold anything back - give it your best shot. If the scouts like what they see, they'll be out to watch you play during a regular game.

Remember, too, that at these camps you'll be surrounded by a wide variety of baseball players - skinny, nervous high schoolers who don't know what to expect, seasoned college seniors who are looking to sign, or junior college players who want the scouts to notice them. You'll see kids who look terrific and kids who seem to have hardly picked up a baseball before. From the scouts' perspective, tryout camps bring together a great cross-sample of the available talent in your area. 

The Open Tryout Camp

Your first activity at camp will be to register your name, age, school and, position on a sheet provided by the scout. You'll probably be asked to sign a form, similar to the one shown in Figure 7 -1, asking you to agree that you will not hold the major league club or scout responsible if you are injured during the camp. Read the sheet to know what you're signing; but understand that unless you do sign it, you won't be allowed to participate.

The atmosphere at the start of your tryout camp may be like a carnival or a parade: a carnival because everybody is eager to get the action going, and a parade because of all the different uniforms.

Chances are good that you'll see some friends there. There's nothing wrong with chatting with them before the camp begins or when you're not participating. However, when the head Scout speaks to the group, stop talking and pay attention. You don't want to appear disinterested or miss important instructions.

Bring Your Own Equipment!

When you prepare for the tryout camp, imagine that you're going to an all-day job interview. Your uniform should be clean, pressed, and in good condition; your shoes should be shined and well broken in. Bring a jacket, especially if you're a pitcher, and a change of undershirt.

You should also bring along something light to eat, such as a sandwich and a cool drink. Don't assume that the field will have a water fountain, a clubhouse, or a bathrooom. Eat a good-sized breakfast and arrive at the ballpark fully dressed and ready to work out.

In terms of equipment, assume nothing will be provided for you. Bring your own glove (or gloves, if you play different positions) and bat (aluminum is okay, although the scouts may bring wooden ones). If you're a catcher, bring along your own catching equipment. If you can, borrow a batting helmet from your team. Prepare a checklist of equipment, just like a scout does.

The Action

Most open tryout camps are similar in style, but each organization goes by its own format. Look over the outline in Figure 7-3 (pp. 90-91) for a be- hind-the-scenes look at the administration of a typical camp. You can gain an edge over the other participants by knowing beforehand what to expect and by practicing those exercises that you'll be asked to perform during the tryout.

Once the administrative matters are taken care of, the ballplayers usually take a lap around .the field to get loose. Do some stretching on your own and some calisthenics if you want. Since the first test in the typical camp will be a 60-yard dash, it's important to loosen up and break a sweat. I would suggest that before your name is called, you get loose and then run a practice 60 yards at full speed. Why? Because you will run a faster time when your legs are really loose and your body is pumping with adrenaline. Thus, if you run a practice dash, your second one - the one that counts - will show a better time.

Usually the 60-yard dash is run in the outfield, on grass. The scouts mark off the distance and then stage the timings by calling out players' names. You may run by yourself or, if there are many kids to time, you'll run against another player.

If you are running alone, the scout will start timing you when you make your first move. That is, instead of giving you a "ready...set...go, he'll start the clock as soon as you break from the mark.

Many kids wonder whether it's better to start from a sprinter's crouch or from a base stealer's position, with the legs straddled. I prefer to see a ballplayer start from the base stealing position; after all, that's the kind of start you're going to get in a game. And since you're timed from your first movement, starting like a base stealer as opposed to a sprinter should make little difference in your time.

If you run against another player, the scout normally will give you a "ready...set...go" so both runners start at the same time. The readings in these races tend to be accurate for the first runner, but less so for the one who comes in second. But don't worry: If the scout wants to see you run again, he'll ask. In most tryout camps, you'll run at least two 60-yarders.

What's a good time? By and large, if you finish in 7.0 seconds or less (7- 1 is considered average for a major leaguer), the scouts will take careful note of your name and speed. For more detailed information on the running aspect of the tryout camp, read Figure 7-4 (p. 92-93). Take note of what the scouts look for, and key your practices to those expectations.

Outfield and Infield Throwing

Once the running is completed, the scouts will most likely test players' outfield and infield arms - specifically, arm strength and accuracy. Participants are divided into pairs to throw to each other and loosen their arms up.

The outfielders then are called to center field. At a mark of 250 feet from home, you'll be asked to catch a fly ball, field a grounder, and field a line drive on one hop.

The scouts will watch to see how you approach the ball, how you position your body, how you surround the ball. They'll evaluate your arm strength on your throw, to the infield. You may throw to second base or to a cutoff man on the pitcher's mound.

Scouts look for kids who get their bodies under control in the outfield; who have quick arm action and release of the ball, a coordinated throwing action, and accuracy in throwing to a certain spot; and who have a great carry on the ball. By carry, I mean that the throw is strong - it doesn't fade or die away as it approaches the cutoff man.

Remember to catch the ball with two hands and grasp it across the seams. All major league outfielders hold the ball "four seams," which insures that their throws are straight and true and do not sail off the mark. When the ball does bounce, it bounces in a straight line, not off to the side.

Once the outfield action is completed, infielders are placed at shortstop and asked to field three or four grounders and to make throws across to first base. Try to emphasize fundamentals here; keep in mind that the scouts are looking for professional actions. Get your body in front of the ball, keep your backside down, get your arms and hands out in front of your body, plant your back foot solidly, and make a good, hard, on-balance throw to first.

Show quick feet in your infield play. Scouts are looking at you from head to toe, and for infielders - particularly shortstops and second basemen - quick feet are essential. That means being able to adjust your body hurriedly in case of a bad hop or being coordinated enough to move your feet into fielding position on a tough play.

Stay on your toes in the infield and move as fast as you can for the grounders hit your way. Never give the impression that you're plodding along or that you're heavy-footed. Look alert, look quick, and move, move, move!

Once the infielders have finished, the first basemen will be asked to field grounders and throw across the diamond to third. Scouts look for the same kind of skills here: smooth actions, soft hands, quick feet, good range, and an accurate and solid throw. Reread portions of Chapter 5 to see precisely what scouts are looking for in a given position.

Catchers are placed behind home and asked to throw out to second base in a simulated stolen-base situation. With a stopwatch, a scout will measure your release time and arm strength (the time of the throw to second base). You'll be given only a few throws, so make certain your arm is loose and ready.

Players with More Than One Position

If you have actually played both outfield and infield recently with your club, then by all means tryout at both spots. The same goes if you're a catcher and also play another position. Give the scouts that information on the sign- up sheet. However, if you have played two positions but think that you're much better at one, tryout at your better position only.

Pitchers

Most scouts have pitchers throw at least one inning in a game situation. First, though, they will throw on the sidelines while a scout observes. Here, the scout is looking for basic tools: velocity, movement, mechanics, breaking pitches, control and general athletic ability. A scout can tell whether a pitcher has the skills to make it as a pro even without his throwing to a live batter. 

Don't be discouraged if you aren't the hardest thrower at the camp. Al- though any scout would love to find a youngster with a 90-mph fastball, he knows that such pitchers are rare. If your fastball is in the 80s and you have excellent location, great movement on the ball, or an outstanding breaking pitch, a scout will certainly take note of you.

On the sidelines you will only throw 20 to 25 pitches, so don't hold back. Although you'll be tempted, don't overthrow either. Make certain you can control what you throw.

To the Game!

If there is enough time after the testing is completed, the scouts will hold a quick round of infield/outfield practice. If this happens, go to the position where you feel most comfortable.

Try to show plenty of spark. Make noise. Whistle. You're competing against all the players there to capture the scouts' attention. If you're good at malting chatter, that's another way to let the scouts know you're a ballplayer worth watching.

In a simulated game, two teams will be put together haphazardly, and a parade of pitchers will throw one inning (six outs) each. There is little rhyme or reason to how the teams are drawn up, so don't worry about what team you're on or where you bat in the order. In fact, the batting order may just go round the defensive lineup; that is, the catcher hits first, then the first baseman, the second basemen, and so on.

If you're not selected to play in the first lineup, find a place off the field in the shade and relax. The action often goes fairly quickly, and as each batter gets his turn (usually two at bats,) he is replaced by someone waiting for his turn. The scouts make sure that everybody gets a chance to show his stuff.

You may be tempted during these lulls in the action to sit back, eat some lunch, even read the newspaper. You may wait for quite some time, but try not to give the impression that baseball isn't uppermost in your mind. Be ready whenever your name is called.

A Word About Hitting

When your turn comes to bat, hit the ball hard and run as fast as you can to first. Don't make hitting complicated. Get a strike you can handle and go to work on it. Don't swing at poor pitches. Even if the pitcher can't find the strike zone, don't feel rushed. This is your chance to show what you can do.

There are usually no umpires at tryout camps, so catchers call balls and strikes to keep things moving along. If you swing at bad pitches, though, a scout can only assume that you don't know where the strike zone is.

Watching you bat, the scout is not as interested in whether you get base hits or fly out as he is in analyzing your swing. Do you have quick hands and good bat speed? Are you keeping your hands back? What about your balance?

Remember that scouts want to see the ball jump off your bat. There are base hits and there are base hits. The kids who really smack the ball hard are the ones who will be looked at as the real prospects. The scouts would rather see two bullet-like groundouts than a flare or soft liner that falls in for a hit. 

The outcome of your at bats will not necessarily determine how you are viewed as a prospect. Scouts do not assume that the youngster who hits well in a tryout is a more likely prospect than one who strikes out. After all, the kid who fans twice might be only 17 years old and batting against a top college pitcher who's 22. If he has been noticed because he's a terrific middle in- fielder, his hitting isn't as important as his defensive tools.

By the same token, a youngster might lash two line-drive hits in the try- out. But the scouts view him as an outfielder who hits line drives rather than home runs and who, unfortunately, doesn't run particularly well. He may be a good hitter, but in terms of an optimal skill combination or the professional "blueprint" scouts rely on, an outfielder who has only average speed and little power isn't likely to fit the ballc1ub's needs.

For example, most major league clubs want their left and right fielders to be power hitters, able to club 20 or more homers a year. The center fielder is usually speedy - a guy who doesn't normally hit many homers but can steal 50 bases in a season. You have to bear in mind what the needs of the organization are in terms of looking at you as a prospect.

After the Tryout Is Over ...

At the end of the day, the head scout will undoubtedly gather the players and thank everyone for coming. He might make general comments about everybody's hard work and the talent he saw on the playing field, but don't expect a specific critique of your game. It's not that the scout doesn't care or want to give positive feedback, but it wouldn't be fair to single out one or two players.

Once the tryout has ended, pack up your things and head on home. Don't wait around to talk to the scout unless he specifically asks you to.

Remember that scouts use tryout camps to bring in talented ballplayers and see how they've developed over the year and how they compare with other players. As a result, don't expect an immediate call or letter from a scout after a tryout. If he doesn't contact you, wait until the next tryout and repeat your efforts. If you have the tools and attitude that scouts are looking for in professional prospects, you'll make your impression. 

A Quick Review

When the tryout day comes:

• Arrive at the field on time, or even a little early. You're not likely to make a good impression if you are late.
• Bring your own equipment: spikes, gloves, bats, catching equipment, even batting helmet. Don't assume anything - bring it all.
• Make certain you're loose. Warm up and then stretch before you
• Start to work out hard. If you've been injured, make sure you tell
• The scout in charge.
• Wear a sharp, clean uniform. Scouts will form an instant impression based on your appearance.
• Bring a small lunch and something to drink. You are likely to be at the field all day, and will probably be warm. . Don't assume there will be a functioning water fountain at the field. . Hustle. Scouts want to know whether you really want to "play the game." Show them you do by hustling all the time.