1. Does anyabody have any experience participating in a open tryout?
2. What percentage of the players are actually offered contracts from these tryouts?
3. What if any is a reasonable fee for an open tryout?
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son attended open tryouts for MLB teams.No one was signed but I have heard that it happens. They are free.
I have seen 1 guy signed ang I have been to about 50 . Many were followed and drafted. They are always free.
While were on this topic,and it appears some of you have seen your fair share of opens, I've got a few more questions...
1. About how many folks show up to these tryouts? I'm sure it varies, but give me ballpark figures.
2. What age folks show up? Is it inapropriate for really good 16 or 17 year olds to show ...or is it for a different crowd?
1. About how many folks show up to these tryouts? I'm sure it varies, but give me ballpark figures.
2. What age folks show up? Is it inapropriate for really good 16 or 17 year olds to show ...or is it for a different crowd?
Usually scouts are looking for players under the age of 22, and there might be age limits as to how old a player can be. 16 and 17 year olds can come, but a parent must be present and sign the form. This could be a great way for a younger player to get exposure.
Open tryouts are a shot in the dark for MLB teams. Out of 100 people they MIGHT find one to try and sign. I played high school with a guy who's brother was signed at one. He went to the first one and they liked him. They invited him to three or four more just so they could watch him. After the fourth one he got signedby the Reds. This was back in the early 90's. At one point he was the 5th fastest guy in the entire organization. Oh yeah he quit when he got moved up to Class A because he was too far away from home and he missed his girlfriend.
The talent level you find at these things will vary to far end of the extremes. There are really good players and there are some who might have been walking by and saw they were having a tryout and stopped by.
Most teams will have the age cutoff at 24 but you sometimes find guys older than that at them. I took a player of mine to one when I was about 31 years old. I sat up in the stands and on the field there was a guy who had to be 45 years old. He didn't make it past the 60 yard dash because he pulled a hammy. It was pretty funny.
As long as you go to more than one you can never hurt your standing by going to them. If you go to just one and have a bad day then you are toast but if you go to several and are consistently pretty good then you might make a name for yourself.
The talent level you find at these things will vary to far end of the extremes. There are really good players and there are some who might have been walking by and saw they were having a tryout and stopped by.
Most teams will have the age cutoff at 24 but you sometimes find guys older than that at them. I took a player of mine to one when I was about 31 years old. I sat up in the stands and on the field there was a guy who had to be 45 years old. He didn't make it past the 60 yard dash because he pulled a hammy. It was pretty funny.
As long as you go to more than one you can never hurt your standing by going to them. If you go to just one and have a bad day then you are toast but if you go to several and are consistently pretty good then you might make a name for yourself.
MLB open tryout camps are very similar to American Idol. Most of the players are just flat out terrible but think they are hall of fame material.
The better players are usually invited to the tryout camp. I have seen many players signed directly out of the camp. It is rare but if the MLB scout is doing his homework he will invite the best players in their area to the tryout.
The better players are usually invited to the tryout camp. I have seen many players signed directly out of the camp. It is rare but if the MLB scout is doing his homework he will invite the best players in their area to the tryout.
quote:Originally posted by Frank Martin:
MLB open tryout camps are very similar to American Idol.
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‘American Idol’ for Baseball: America's First Baseball Reality TV Show Begins Tryouts
You weren't far off the mark Frank.
Idolize this!: http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=8225&cha=7
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‘American Idol’ for Baseball: America's First Baseball Reality TV Show Begins Tryouts
You weren't far off the mark Frank.
Idolize this!: http://www.hispanicprwire.com/news.php?l=in&id=8225&cha=7
.
The phillies tried to do a reality show for baseball a few years back, they had one big prblem you could not had previously pro experinece in order to tryout ,so the talent level was so bad, mostly 35-50 year old doctors, lawyers, and softball players trying out. They decided not to air it.
Not sure about the about tryout camp, just that the New Havens Cutters who hosted the camp is no longer in business.
The Movie Mr 3,000 held open auditions for people to play MLB players in the movie. The tryouts are show on the extra part of the dvd. Alot of 40-50 year out of shape softball players auditioned.
Not sure about the about tryout camp, just that the New Havens Cutters who hosted the camp is no longer in business.
The Movie Mr 3,000 held open auditions for people to play MLB players in the movie. The tryouts are show on the extra part of the dvd. Alot of 40-50 year out of shape softball players auditioned.
Yes the typical tryout has guys 16-24 but you do see guys older.
Some are very cut and dry. You run warm up and run before doing what you are there for. Most have 2 mounds going for pitchers while position guys skrimish. after throwing they pick a handful to stay and pitch to batters after the non selected guys leave. Some hold mini games where a pitcher gets a couple innings to throw . Many of these tryouts are right up front about picking guys they think have MLB talent only and nothing to do with college potential.
They can be quite boring since the window of showing your stuff can be quite narrow. I like the ones where you get held back and they play mini games.
Usually there are 50-120 guys and the talenr can vary. I remember some guys I wish I had my video camera. I could have put them on the net.
Some are very cut and dry. You run warm up and run before doing what you are there for. Most have 2 mounds going for pitchers while position guys skrimish. after throwing they pick a handful to stay and pitch to batters after the non selected guys leave. Some hold mini games where a pitcher gets a couple innings to throw . Many of these tryouts are right up front about picking guys they think have MLB talent only and nothing to do with college potential.
They can be quite boring since the window of showing your stuff can be quite narrow. I like the ones where you get held back and they play mini games.
Usually there are 50-120 guys and the talenr can vary. I remember some guys I wish I had my video camera. I could have put them on the net.
Thank you all for your responses. The reason why I asked is I have recently saw an "open tryout" where paticpants had to pay a $200 fee. The website alleges that the person who runs the tryout is "affiliated" with many of the independent league. The website also alleges that contracts are issued on scene. I found this assertion, doubtful at best. From what I understand now, my instincts were correct, that a $200 fee for a tryout is unreasonable. Thanks again everybody. And if you have anymore information on this topic, I would truly appreciate your input.
That is different than MLB tryouts. MLB tryouts are always free and put on by a specfic club or bt an organization that represents several clubs.
what is the name of the group running the indy tryout camp
This summer my 16u son attended three major league open tryoutsand all were somewhat different. At a major league scouting bureau affair in Dallas he was one of about three 16 year olds out of around 175. Most were 19-23. I know this because my wife held the entry cards for the scout while guys were coming in. All three camps started with 60's but this one ran the dozen fastest again. My 16 yearold ended up 5th overall. This camp did seem geared to guys who were signable right then as only older guys stayed for a game afterwards even though my son was rated a plus hitter and plus speed. There was one guy who came in Tennis shoes and jeans and must have been 35 years old. I watched him throw 67-68 mph. However another guy was throwing 93-94 and the scouts all had a word with him after he threw. At the SD Padres camp at Wolfe stadium in San Antonio, there were around 150-170 and after running and throwing they cut around 70-90 without them even hitting. My son ran well and threw well from the outfield and he made the cut. There must have not been many other 16 year olds that did because the area scout kept referring to him as the 16. After hitting two rounds the area scout called him aside and told him he liked his stroke and if he was 18 and 4 inches taller they would be talking to him right then. At the final tryout in Boerne, TX there were some 20-30 scouts with over 200 kids. This camp had specifically wanted juniors and seniors. Jordan ran a 6.65 and finished second I believe and did well overall. Someone around the cage told them to give him 3-4 extra swings so I guess that was good as he was hitting well. I'm hoping these will lead to some followup.
Indyproshowcase
By the way, should independent legue tryouts impose a fee when? I mean $200 is a lot for someone who is only going to make anywhere between $500 to $1200
I think I would contact the league and see when they hold tryouts. Ask if there is a fee.
Another question...or two.
1. Is there any major difference between a bureau tyout and a team tryout?
2. I know there is a listing of bureau tryouts, is there a listing of team tryouts somewhere?
1. Is there any major difference between a bureau tyout and a team tryout?
2. I know there is a listing of bureau tryouts, is there a listing of team tryouts somewhere?
Well there is groups that charge $3,000 for a 3 week tryout camp and people are willing to pay it.
They are run similarly but there are scouts from several teams.
ESTONE28, There are individual team websights that have open tryout places and times, the Major League Scouting Bureau site also lists their tryouts and has individual team ones also. They have not been updated for 2008 yet. I think they aren't posted until April or so. They are not all posted at the same time. The Major League scouting bureau shares its reports with all teams as a money saving inducement. Teams also have their own scouting staffs and camps.
Here's a link to the MLSB tryouts and the MLB team open tryouts.
Open Tryouts
It's not yet updated for 2008, but should be by mid-April or so.
Open Tryouts
It's not yet updated for 2008, but should be by mid-April or so.
Thanx lond dx dad. By the way, according to the individual running the web site, he alleges that many of the indepenent teams are doing away with tryouts.
I think its a great idea to take a talented 16 yr old to an open try out. Scouts are very interested in finding young players to follow.
It can open the door to invite only tryouts or a place on a scout team.
It can open the door to invite only tryouts or a place on a scout team.
Thanks for all the good info and links.
One thing I forgot to mention was that all of the Major League open tryouts were wooden bat use. You see a lot of big burly guys who don't look near as good hitting as you would think they would. There really does seem to be a different approach to square up balls consistently with wood as opposed to metal. Luckily our fall select coach made our guys particpate in a wooden bat showcase league and insists on wooden bats only during practices. I firmly believe if you can hit with a wooden bat you can definately hit with a metal. Its not always a sure thing the other way around. I saw a lot of lazy 280-300 foot flies with the wooden bats and a lot of dragging the bats through the hitting zone.