07/15/2024

How To Make The High School Baseball Team

Guide on how to make your high school baseball team

The crack of baseball bats, throwing it around the horn, the thrill of victory - there's nothing quite like high school baseball. But before you get to take the field with your classmates, you gotta make the team. Here at JustBats, we know how important this is to so many athletes. We’ve experienced the jitters during tryouts. It can be nerve-racking because for so many baseball players, high school baseball is the final stop in your baseball journey. So, we're here to help guide you to a spot on your high school squad. In this article, our Bat Experts outline some of the top tips to help give you the best shot at making the high school team.

Tips To Make The High School Baseball Team

Let’s face it – this is no leisurely stroll around the bases. So, how do you make a name for yourself in front of the high school coaches? It starts with effort and motivation. If you are willing to put in the work, anything is possible. So let’s take a quick look at some tips we have for making the high school team.

Get In Shape

Before tryouts even begin, you need to prepare your body and mind. A balanced regimen that combines strength training, agility exercises, and cardio will allow you to perform at your highest level when tryouts begin. Focus on core workouts. Your core enables your arms and legs to function at their highest levels. Building up your core will boost your throw power and exit velocities.

Don't forget to stretch! Many players fail to understand the importance of flexibility. Limber muscles allow for more freedom of movement and fewer injuries. They also enable you to play more naturally. This is ideal for players trying to showcase their skills in a high-pressure environment.

Strengthen your Mental Game

Visualize success; see yourself doing all the things you are capable of. Barreling baseballs, hitting cut-off men, turning double plays, throwing strikes, etc. Prepare for your own success. Prepare for the pressure and embrace it. That’s what the greatest players on the planet do, so why not replicate their traits? As Dodger superstar Mookie Betts said, “Being a Dodger, being the shortstop for the Dodgers, is a lot of pressure. But I like it. It’s fun.”

Fine-Tune Your Fundamentals

High school baseball coaches want to see fundamentals. As alluring as it might be to make a spectacular play during tryouts, focusing on your fundamentals will make you stand out just as much. Show that you know how to get around a ground ball or behind a flyball with runners on base. Work on hitting your cut-off man or crushing an outside pitch for a line drive to the opposite field. Fundamentals matter and you’ll stand out more than you could ever imagine if you are able to showcase them come tryouts.

Work on your batting stance, swing mechanics, and pitch recognition. Show off your ability to situationally hit. High school baseball will require more strategy than any travel ball tournament or showcase ever will. Remember, a high school roster is limited to the students at the school. Coaches can’t hand-pick talent throughout the area. This requires more strategic calls such as sacrifice bunts, hit and runs, and advancing runners. As a result, coaches want to see your all-around ability for situational hitting and will likely test your ability to do so come tryout week.

For pitchers, master a mix of pitches and throw all of them for strikes. Don’t get caught up in just trying to max out on the radar gun. Your natural velocity will be on full display. Instead, take a deep breath and work on locating your pitches. Hit the catcher’s mitt. Show off a fluid motion on the mound. Control your breathing and you will be just fine. Remember, coaches aren't just looking for talent; they're scouting for players who have discipline, crave improvement, and simply love the game of baseball.

Find Your Gamer

Having a BBCOR bat that fits your skill sets for the high school ranks will give you a huge advantage. Check out the video below as Will from Bat Bros and Tyler chat about the top BBCOR baseball bats and more.

Be Coachable

Imagine teaching a class that is not interested in learning. It’d be the longest school year of your life. So when a high school coach has the ability to choose his or her roster, they are going to pick the players that want to learn and get better. Talent is great but a willingness to listen and absorb trumps talent every day of the week.

During tryouts, coaches will be evaluating you but don’t get caught up in your own head. Continue to ask questions and show an eagerness to improve. Coaches love players who want to be coached. Be sure not to take it too far, but if you have a question — ask it.

Build Versatility

Remember, there will only be one starting shortstop at the varsity level. Build your skills around the diamond to offer versatility at the high school level. Fall ball is an excellent time to try other positions around the diamond. If you are primarily an infielder, spend some games in the outfield. If you are a catcher, take off the pads and play somewhere new. Displaying the ability to play multiple positions will give coaches lineup versatility, which is crucial at the high school level. Be willing to try anything for more opportunities to have your name in the lineup.

Attend Everything You Can

Many high school programs will have summer camps for middle schoolers. Go to these. Build a rapport with the high school coaches before you are ever assigned a locker at the high school. This will give you an opportunity to get a head start on the competition. Also, keep your eyes and ears open during winter of your freshman year. High school programs will often hold winter conditioning either before or after school. Attend all of these that you possibly can as your attendance will display your drive to not only make the team but improve your body and game. Coaches love players that love the game. Show up to everything you can with a passion to improve.

At JustBats, our team is here to help you achieve your baseball dreams. With dedication, hard work, and the right baseball bat, you'll be ready to hit a home run during tryouts. Remember, love the game, respect your coaches and teammates, and let your passion for baseball shine. And if you have any questions about which bat is right for you, our Bat Experts are here to help. You can call or text 866-321-2287, email experts@justbats.com, or click here to live chat. Don’t forget, we’re here for you from Click To Hit!

Filed Under: Baseball How To