College tryouts

I do not believe that teams have open try outs. D1 and D3 teams cannot try out players. I believe D2 teams can try out a player on their campus. 

Many teams have open tryouts once students get to campus. Usually not many of those players make teams.

Does your son play on a travel team? If so what tournaments/showcases are they playing in? He may want to reach out to the coaches of the colleges he is interested in and see if they are going to be at any tournaments/showcases he will be at with his team. 

I believe, but not positive, that NCAA schools are required to have open tryouts.  But from what I have seen, they are usually in the fall after school has started and MAY only be open to enrolled students.  Once again, I'm not positive about that.  Most schools do not advertise this because by that time they are usually full with their roster and really aren't looking to pick anyone up from these tryouts.  They really aren't using them as a recruiting tool.  I think you'd be much better off having your son get in touch with the coaches of the schools he's interested in and inviting them to come see him in whatever summer tournaments he's playing in.  That would be the cheapest way to do it.  Then maybe pick just a select few to attend a camp or showcase at the schools he is particularly interested in.

But, bottom line, I wouldn't count on making a college team from a team tryout.

The NCAA requires tryouts in the fall. However, after recruiting any kid trying out (walk on) is probably competing against fifty or sixty players for none or one roster spot. Then if he makes it he's player #35 with a long way to go to prove he should be on the team next year. It's not a recommended path. It's a real long shot. 

The best walk on shot is being a hard throwing pitcher at a D3 where they tend to keep a smaller roster (under 30 players) and will always make room for a difference making stud.

Your son needs to make some money and judiciously select two or three lower cost showcases with programs he's interested. Another option is attend a local JuCo, prove he can play at the next level and be recruited out of the JuCo.

 RJM and bbalman are correct. They may try out players n the fall at open tryouts. D1 and D3 cannot try out a player during the summer before a student is enrolled. D2 can (from Franklin Pierce website):

Tryouts

• Division II institutions may conduct one tryout per prospect per sport on its campus, not to exceed two hours in length.
• Only high school seniors who have completed their sport season or are in an academic term other than the "traditional" sport season may participate.
• Prior to participation in a tryout, a prospective student-athlete is required to undergo a medical examination or evaluation administered or supervised by a physician (e.g.; family physician, team physician). This examination must be completed within six months of the tryout. A copy of this exam must be provided to the Athletic Department prior to participating in a tryout.
• High school prospective student-athletes may use a physical that was within six months of participation in practice, competition or out-of-season conditioning activities during their senior year of high school as long as it was accepted by their high school for their participation in athletics during their senior year.
• The physical exam must contain proof that a Sickle Cell Solubility test (SST) has been conducted on the prospect as well. A prospective student athlete has the option of signing a waiver that can waive the requirement of an SST. Tryout Liability Waiver Form  //  Tryout Sickle Cell Waiver Form
• Prospect's strength, speed, agility and sport skills may be tested; Ice hockey, football and lacrosse tryouts may not include competition.
• During the academic year, competition is permissible against the member institution's team in a tryout.
• An institution may provide clothing and equipment to a prospect if it is returned at the conclusion of the tryout.
• It is not permissible for a prospective student-athlete to compete in outside competition (scrimmage, Alumni game, etc) during a tryout.
• Tryouts are also permitted for transfer prospective student-athlete’s from 2-year and 4-year institutions. Tryout regulations for transfer students differ from those of high school seniors and are handled on a case by case basis.
• For a two-year college student, a tryout can be held after the conclusion of their sport season, or any time after the prospect has concluded his/her eligibility.
• For a four-year college student, a tryout can be held after the conclusion of their season, provided the student has been granted written permission to speak with a member of the Franklin Pierce coaching staff.
• Questions regarding tryouts can be directed to the sport head coach or by contacting the compliance office.

But your son would probably have to be seen and invited for one of these try outs. 

From the D1 Manual 

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/sc...vent/ncaa-manual.pdf

13.11 tryouts.
13.11.1 Prohibited Activities. A member institution, on its campus or elsewhere, shall not conduct (or have conducted on its behalf) any physical activity (e.g., practice session or test/tryout) at which one or more prospective student-athletes (as defined in Bylaws 13.11.1.1 and 13.11.1.2) reveal, demonstrate or display their athletics abilities in any sport except as provided in Bylaws 13.11.2 and 13.11.3. [D] (Revised: 8/5/04, 1/17/09)

13.11.1.1 - Definition of “Prospective Student-Athlete” for Tryout-Rule Purposes—Sports Other Than Men’s Basketball.
In sports other than men’s basketball, for purposes of the tryout rule, the phrase "prospective student-athelete" shall include any individual who has started classes for the ninth grade and is not enrolled in the member institution at the time of the practice or test therein described. (Revised: 1/11/89, 1/17/09)

I'm only familiar with NAIA/D3/JUCO schools.  For example, go to Texas Wesleyan's (NAIA) baseball page and you'll see tryout dates.

Last summer ('13), my son didn't have a school or baseball offer and attended NAIA, D3, and JUCO tryouts.  He was offered roster spots to all NAIA teams and D3 schools after their tryouts.  It was a busy summer but he found the right school.

bbmom,

You should look into the Texas area Area Code tryouts. You will have to find a scout who will recommend your son for the tryout. They do not cost anything and there should be great exposure for your son. If he runs as fast as you indicated and has good bat speed he should get some attention.

http://www.studentsports.com/b...code-baseball-games/

Good luck. 

Thank you so much BOF.  We filled out the questionnaire.  Said it would send to the local area scout to find out if he/they warranted taking a look at him if I read it correctly.  I had heard about the area code games but didn't know how to get your name in the hat.  We will see what happens from here.  I just really appreciate the information from all of you who are providing information and suggestions.  He is our first and I went to college but not on athletics and my husband did but was 6'5 lineman and had always had his eyes set on one particular college so he wasn't searching.  He knew that was the college period and focused all his time on that one.  It's so different now days.    

I would get proactive on this one and have his HS coach, travel coach, or anyone else connected in the area to find a scout and get him to recommend your son for the Area Code tryouts. This is really one of the best events you can go to and it does not cost a dime. Good Luck.

One other comment, do not leave it up to chance as far as schools seeing him. He/you should have a plan and a list of schools he is interested in and be proactive and let them know where he will be playing this summer/fall as well as a short profile.