2010/2011 TRYOUT DATES

SIGN UP NOW!!!! SIGN UP NOW!!!! 

Players may try out for either:

Blizzard Elite – MBA’s comprehensive baseball experience with ages (12u-18u) playing a full AFBL season before heading into their winter season that includes traveling tournaments, full practice regimen, college consultations, varsity showcases and more.

Fall Blizzard – MBA’s fall-only baseball teams (9u-18u) which practice in August, play an AFBL fall season in September including a Skills Competition Day, College/Pro Showcase and Blizzard Tournament in October.

Tryout #1

Age      Time     Date

15u       8am      July 12th

16u       1pm     July 12th

17u       8am      July 13th

18u       1pm     July 13th

Tryout #2 (Call back tryout games)

Age      Time     Date

15u       8am      July 14th

16u       1pm     July 14th

17u       8am      July 15th

18u       1pm     July 15th

July 16^th - Rainout/Make-up Days

Tryout #1

Age      Time     Date

13u       8am      July 19th

14u       1pm     July 19th

10/11u 8am      July 20th

12u       1pm     July 20th

Tryout #2 (Call back tryout games)

Age      Time     Date

13u       8am      July 21st

14u       1pm     July 21st

July 22^nd/23^rd - Rainouts/Make-up Days (9u-12u call back games if needed)

Tryout Format:

Signing Up:

Players may try out for either a Blizzard Elite team or Fall Blizzard.  Player should sign up online by July 1^st at www.minnesotabaseballacademy.com and submit payment the same day via mail. 

Tryout Cost: $60 (Walk-ups: $80)

Please make your check payable to:

MN BB Academy – Blizzard Tryouts

372 Maple Lane Court – Roseville, MN  55113

Check-in:

When players arrive, they must check in at the check-in tent, receive and wear their Blizzard tryout jersey and get their picture taken. 

Age Level:

Age cut-off is April 30^th, 2011. 

 For example, if you are 14 years old right now and your birthday is November 3^rd, 2010, you are considered a 15u because you turn 15 before April 30^th,2011.

Location:

All tryouts will be held at the Rich Valley Complex – 1841 105th St E, Inver Grove Heights

Posting Rosters and Results:

After Tryout #1, players’ names will be posted on the website the following day for Tryout #2.  At tryout number #2, players will be evaluated again for skills including live scrimmages.  Rosters will be posted July 30^th on www.minnesotabaseballacademy.com. 

 Our Mandatory Parent Meetings will be the following week (dates TBA).  PARENT MEETINGS WILL BE WITH INDIVIDUAL TEAMS, NOT AS A WHOLE GROUP. 

 Players whose names are not posted did not make a Blizzard Elite or Fall Team but are encouraged to enter the AFBL via MYAS.  The deadline for entering the AFBL through MYAS is August 16^th. 

Tryout #1 – Scoring and Evaluation Format

HITTING      

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

• Scoring will be judged on mechanics including:

            1.  Set-up

            2.  Swing

            3.  Balance

• Ability to make solid contact

• Superior power 

• Overall athletic ability and talent

INFIELD      

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

• Scoring will be judged on mechanics including:

            1.  Footwork and Hands

            2.  Proper throwing technique

            3.  Accuracy

            4.  Quickness

• Athletic ability and hustle

• Superior arm strength

OUTFIELD   

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

• Ability to judge fly balls, athleticism and hustle

•  Range to the left, right, in and back

•  Catching the ball hit at player, to the right and left

            1.  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

• ***12u/65mph, 13u/70mph, 14u/70+mph, 15u/75+mph, 16u/80mph, Var/85mph

• 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 2^nd 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

• Players 14u-18u will run a 60 yard dash

• Players 13u and under will run a 40 yard dash

Tryout #2 – Call Back Games

All players who are called back to the 2^nd Tryout will go through all the aforementioned skills along with a full infield (turning double plays, cut-offs, situational defense).  When skills and infield are complete, players will be split into two (three or four teams) and begin playing games for as long as we have pitchers to throw.  Each pitcher will throw one six-out inning with players rotating positions (if need be).  

Requirements and Suggestions:

A)         Players must sign up online and pre-pay ($60) for the tryouts.  If you do not pre-pay, you will be charged $80 on-site.

B)         If you play other sports that are going to interfere with a commitment to the Blizzard, please take that into consideration before trying out for Fall Blizzard or Blizzard Elite.

C)         Pitchers will have plenty of time to warm up in the bullpen and in the outfield before their turn.  Be ready to throw your best pitch when it is your turn.  If you have recently pitched in a game, please let the evaluator know.  We don’t want anyone pitching with a sore arm.  It will hurt your score if you don’t tell anyone you have thrown recently.

D)        Tryouts will last 3 – 4 hours each day.  Please bring a packed lunch and a jug of water.  Players will have time to break, grab a snack and get a drink throughout the tryout.