WINKLER MINOR BALL 2024 BASEBALL TRYOUT/EVALUATION INFORMATION
The 2024 Baseball season is almost here. In this email you will find the Evaluation/Tryout schedule for
each of our age categories, as well as other information that will help explain the process and better
prepare you for your session.
WINKLER MINOR BALL BASEBALL 2024 TRYOUT/EVALUATION SCHEDULE
*ALL TRYOUTS AND EVALUATIONS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE MERIDIAN EXHIBITION CENTER IN WINKLER*
MONDAY - APRIL 8TH
7:00PM - 9:00PM: 13U TIER 1 BASEBALL TRYOUT (SESSION 1 OF 2). Tryout open to both
Major and Minor Aged Players (Grade 6 & 7). Player must attend at least one of the sessions to be
considered for the team.
TUESDAY - APRIL 9TH
4:30PM - 6:00PM: 11U GRADE THREE TRYOUT. Grade 3 Grand Slam Players looking to age
advance to 11U Baseball. Selected players will be invited to 11U Minor Evaluation on April 16th.
6:00PM - 8:30PM: 15U TIER 1 BASEBALL TRYOUT (SESSION 1 OF 2). Tryout open to both
Major and Minor Aged Players (Grade 8 & 9). Player must attend at least one of the sessions to be
considered for the team.
WEDNESDAY - APRIL 10TH
5:30PM - 7:30PM: 13U TIER 1 BASEBALL TRYOUT (SESSION 2 OF 2). Tryout open to both
Major and Minor Aged Players (Grade 6 & 7). Player must attend at least one of the sessions to be
considered for the team.
THURSDAY - APRIL 11TH
6:00PM - 8:30PM: 15U TIER 1 BASEBALL TRYOUT (SESSION 2 OF 2). Tryout open to both
Major and Minor Aged Players (Grade 8 & 9). Player must attend at least one of the sessions to be
considered for the team.
TUESDAY - APRIL 16Th
5:30PM - 7:00PM: 11U MINOR BASEBALL EVALUATION (Grade 4 and selected Grade 3)
7:00PM - 8:30PM: 11U MAJOR BASEBALL EVALUATION (Grade 5)
- Players will have their skill level evaluated in order to make even teams
WEDNESDAY - APRIL 17TH
5:30PM - 7PM: 13U TIER 2 BASEBALL EVALUATION. Includes Grades 6 & 7 players who
choose not to tryout for the 13U Tier 1 team. Players will have their skill level evaluated in order to make
even teams. Players who do not make the Tier 1 team will not be required to attend this session.
THURSDAY - APRIL 18TH
6:00PM - 8:00PM: 15U TIER 2 BASEBALL EVALUATION. Includes Grades 8 & 9 players who
choose not to tryout for the 15U Tier 1 team. Players will have their skill level evaluated in order to make
even teams. Players who do not make the Tier 1 team will not be required to attend this session.
*If you are unable to make your designated evaluation time please contact your age group’s convenor.
For those players trying out for a “Tier 1” team, you must attend at least one of the two tryout sessions.
*As of now, there will be no evaluations needed for our 18U AA program.
Winkler Minor Ball - Player Evaluation Info
The purpose of this short guide is to prepare you and your child for the WMBA Player Evaluation session
and help put them at ease if they’ve never been through the Player Evaluation process before.
What To Bring - Each player should bring their glove, bat and a water bottle. If a player has his own
batting helmet, they can bring that, too, otherwise one will be provided (players are encouraged to have
their own helmet for the season).
What To Wear - Dress the same as you would for an indoor baseball/softball practice: indoor shoes, tee
shirt and/or sweatshirt, baseball pants or sweatpants.
How It Works - The players will be evaluated in five baseball skills. Formal evaluations are conducted by
a group of coaches and WMBA exec members, who will rate each player in each skill on a 1-to-10 scale.
These ratings, along with coaches' opinion, are used to help determine the proper league placement for
each player. Each coach may also conduct his own informal evaluation of each player.
Under no circumstances will any WMBA exec member, evaluator, or coach reveal the ratings or ranking
of any individual player. So please don’t ask!!!
The Skill Stations
Batting - They are evaluated based on how well they swing the bat and their technique (swing
mechanics), how well they hit the ball (contact), and how hard/how far they hit the ball (power). They
are assigned one overall rating for batting.
Pitching - They are evaluated on how hard they throw (velocity), and how accurately they hit the strike
zone (control) and assigned ratings for each. In addition, most coaches will evaluate them on their form
and technique (pitching mechanics), though they will not receive a formal rating for each.
Fielding - Each player will be hit ground balls and fly balls. While the player's success in catching the ball
is factored in, the evaluators are mainly looking at the player's form, technique, and footwork (fielding
mechanics) to come up with a ground ball rating and a fly ball rating. They are also assigned a throwing
rating, which includes their throwing accuracy, throwing mechanics, and release (how quickly they get in
position to throw and get rid of the ball after fielding it). The throwing rating and pitching rating are
distinct, which allows evaluators to differentiate between a player who doesn't throw well and one who
does throw well but has either not learned how to pitch or lacks pitching experience.
WE CAN'T STRESS THIS ENOUGH: The evaluation ratings will not be shared with any player or parent, so
please don't ask!!!
How To Make a Good Impression On The Coaches
- Be on time.
- Follow the directions of the volunteer running the drill station. Coaches love players who listen and
follow directions!
- Have your child come prepared and dressed appropriately. Nothing screams, "Rookie!" like showing
up to an evaluation in jeans and a flannel shirt or going through the fielding station with a catcher's mitt!
- Practice, practice, practice! Most players put the bat and glove away after the last season ended and
won't take it out again until evaluations. Mistake! If possible, get out there the weekend before and
take some light batting practice and throw the ball around. Shake the rust off so when evaluations
come the coaches will see "the real you".
- Most importantly, HAVE FUN! Let the coaches see what a great kid you are and how much you love
the game. SMILE! - If you make a mistake, shake it off, grit your teeth, and give it another try. Make it
clear you love the game and you're ready to learn. Most coaches would rather have a player with
average skills and a great attitude than a player with very good skills and a poor attitude.
Thank you and GOOD LUCK
Any Questions, Please Ask!
Winkler Minor Ball