Walking on

Question
Hey Rick,

I am attending auburn university this fall and i am going to try and walk on
the baseball team and i was just wondering what my chancesare to make the
team. If you want numbers, senior year I hit .398 with 3 homers and 25 RBIs.
I can pay the corner outfield and infield. i have average speed and average
power but hace  adesire and passon to continually be better. Also, what is
some advice for the tryouts? I know i should run everywhere and very seldom
should I stand around. Any more advice?

Thanks in advance,
Alex

Answer
Alex:  Thanks for the question.

You've got to be excited with fall practice fast approaching.

Your chances of making Auburn's baseball team will first be determined by what players they have returning, incoming scholarship players and what their overall team needs may be.  That would all be the same for every walk on candidate.

Secondly, it will be determined by what they see from you in everything you do when you step on the field, the way you dress, your enthusiasm and the way you go about your business.

If you are someone who has not been on their radar at any point, you will need to show them right away that you have the skills, background and work ethic to compete at that level.

They won't be concerned about your numbers from last year, it will all be about what you do in the moment.

Someone will be watching to see if you pay attention when coaches are talking, what your body language says and how much you hustle.  HUSTLE NEVER HAS A BAD DAY!

They will gain additional information from watching you stretch, whether you stretch for a reason and purpose, or are just filling time.

Close attention will be paid to how you go about warming up to see if you you have developed the habits to make good use of that time, or if you are just casually playing catch because they said to.  They will evaluate your throwing mechanics at this point as well.

By this time a lot has been learned about you, and you have yet to field a ball, run a drill or swing a bat.

Tryout in a position you feel the most comfortable in.  You will perform better in your own comfort zone, and feeling comfortable will help you a lot.  At this point, you aren't trying to become their shortstop or left fielder, you want to show the work ethic and potential to become one of their baseball players.  If you are able to do that, the position scenario will work itself out.

The same concept goes for hitting.  Don't try to do too much.  Make good solid contact, with good solid mechanics.  Be yourself and play to your strengths.

You only get one opportunity to make a first impression, make the most of it!

Good luck to you.  Go after it with all you've got.

In Arizona, where I live, the state lottery has a slogan,"YOU CAN'T WIN IF YOU DON'T PLAY!"

It's the same in baseball.  Take your best shot!  Don't leave anything on the field.

Yours in baseball,

Rick