High school club baseball tryouts are primarily about putting your skills on display, but what you say may be of benefit, too. Evaluators are looking for subtle indicators that tryout attendees will be good team players; a player who has an average level of skill but scores off the charts on being a good teammate may find themselves making the team. One way to show yourself as a good team player is to be vocal, especially when you're playing a game during the tryout. Here are some examples of how being vocal can work in your favor.
Cheering For Other Players
Don't be afraid to cheer for other players during the game portion of your baseball tryout. While you shouldn't be so busy cheering that you lose focus on the game, a good time to cheer is when you're sitting on the bench while your team is batting. Encouraging shouts to your teammates, affirmations of good plays, and other similar types of cheers are all things that the tryout evaluators will notice. Some players can be ultra-competitive at tryouts to the point of being focused on themselves. When you make a point of being vocal to support your teammates, this can cast you in a positive light.
Making Commands In The Field
When you're playing in the field, there are a number of opportunities to be vocal, too. Watch what's happening, and don't hesitate to shout something that might be helpful to a teammate. For example, if an outfielder has just picked up the ball and multiple baserunners are moving around the bases, the outfielder might be tempted to throw to one of the bases. However, if the outfielder is playing deep and an infielder has moved out to a cutoff position, you can yell "cutoff" to remind the fielder of where to throw the ball. Your evaluators will not only notice you being helpful but may also appreciate that you know the right play to make.
Helping Baserunners
When you're a baserunner, you have a front-row seat to the action on the infield—and this can mean that you have the ability to be vocal in a way that can help any other baserunners. One thing that you'll want to do is watch the pitcher's movements when there's a runner on first base. Pickoff throws are common, and if you're standing on third base, you have a good view of the mound. If it becomes clear to you that the pitcher is starting to adjust his or her body to make a pickoff throw, yelling "back" will encourage the runner on first base to retreat to the bag.
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