Location: Blizzard Academy - 3200 Labore Road, Suite 102 - Vadnais Heights, MN  55110

Age Level

Age cut-off is April 30th, 2019 (or whatever your age is on April 30th, 2019) For example, if you are 14 years old right now and your birthday is March 3rd, 2019, you are considered a 15u because you turn 15 before April 30th, 2019.

Blizzard Academy - SPRING TRYOUT LOCATION
3200 Labore Road, Suite 102 – Vadnais Heights, MN  55110

Vadnais Sports Complex (dome) – OVERFLOW LOCATION IF NEEDED
1490 County Road E – Vadnais Heights, MN  55110 (4 blocks from dome)

What to bring ...

Tryouts are a relatively long day so make sure you bring water and snack.  Please wear a full uniform including turf shoes (no spikes) and glove.  Each player will receive a hat at the tryout.  If you have your own bat, bring it otherwise we will have some there for you to borrow.

What to expect ...

Expect a lot of kids, good competition and a good baseball setting.  Each player go through defensive work including outfield, infield, catcher pop times, batting practice and bullpens.

Posting Rosters ...

We will post rosters three days after each respective age group’s tryouts. 

Players who cannot make tryouts or who have to leave early ...

If you are a player who cannot make a tryout, you should come to the next closest age group to be graded out.  Please email me at: abarta@minnesotabaseballacademy.com with your situation and I'll make it work.

HITTING

Each player will receive between 7 – 10 pitches from a coach.

Scoring will be judged on mechanics including:

• Set-up
• Swing
• Balance
• Ability to make solid contact
• Superior power
• Overall athletic ability and talent

INFIELD

Each player will receive 5 – 8 ground balls hit at them, to their right and left

Scoring will be judged on mechanics including:

• Footwork and Hands
• Proper throwing technique
• Quickness
• Athletic ability and hustle
• Superior arm strength

OUTFIELD

Each Player will receive 4 – 8 fly balls hit at them, to their right and left

• Ability to judge fly balls, athleticism and hustle
• to the left, right, in and back
• the ball hit at player, to the right and left
• Fielding the ball on the ground and make a proper and quick transfer
• Superior arm strength

PITCHING

Each player will receive 10 – 20 pitches

• Mechanics – must show the ability to have consistent mechanics from the wind-up and stretch position
• Velocity – player should have above average velocity relative to age group
• Movement and Action– player (relative to age) should show ability to have movement on fastball and action on secondary pitches
• Location – player should have the ability to throw all pitches in the strike zone

CATCHING

Each player will receive 5 balls thrown from an evaluator and/or pitcher

• Catching and Receiving – player should be able to catch the ball without struggling and should be able to show the ability to frame pitches in and around the strike zone
• Arm Strength – player should have above-average arm strength relative to age group and have the ability to throw to 2nd base with relative ease and little or no arch
• Blocking – player should not move out of the way of a bounced ball and should make an effort to display proper blocking technique and hustle

RUNNING (if space allows)

Players 14u-18u will run timed 60 yard dashes

Players 13u and under will run a 40 yard dash (if time permits)

Check-in

When players arrive, they must check in at the check-in tent and get their player # and get their picture taken.  Please arrive at least 45 minutes before tryouts.  All players will receive a Blizzard hat at tryouts.

Age Level

Age cut-off is April 30th, 2018 (or whatever your age is on April 30th, 2018) For example, if you are 14 years old right now and your birthday is March 3rd, 2018, you are considered a 15u because you turn 15 before April 30th, 2018.