SAABL Tryouts

Pre-Season Tryouts

 

The SAABL conducts tryouts in February, before the start of each season, for all new players who are interested in joining the league.  These tryouts are for players who are not already on a team or have not been invited to play in the upcoming season for a specific team by that team's manager. 

 

For the 2025 season, Tryouts will be held on February 16th, 10:00 AM at Madison High School.  

There is a nominal cost of $10 per player to participate in the league tryout.

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We had nearly 40 new players join our league through our 2023 Tryout.  We were able to create 2 entirely new teams from players who attended the Tryout as well as complete rosters for 4 established teams.  This was a fantastic turn-out for our inaugural season.  For the 2024 season, we approximately the same turnout and created another new team and filled roster spots with current teams.  For the upcoming 2025 Tryout, we are expecting another large turnout with the possibility of creating additional teams and of course filling out rosters of our existing teams.

 

Below are the general procedures for our Tryout:

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• You should arrive at least 15 minutes in advance to check-in at the registration table.  At check-in, you will be given a bib with a number to be worn on the front of your shirt and can then take time to warm-up & stretch before your tryout starts. 

• You should have your own glove(s), helmet, cleats and wood bat. If you are a catcher, you should have your own full gear. 

  • SAABL is a wood-bat only league.  Metal bats are not allowed.  Composite bats are allowed but must have a wood barrel. 

  • Metal cleats, in addition to molded cleats, are allowed but not on any turf surfaces (fields, batting cages, pitching bullpens, etc.).   If you prefer to play in metal cleats, it is recommended to always have with you a pair of turf, training or running shoes to wear on any turf surfaces.​

  • There may be a few helmets and/or bats available for general use but there are no guarantees with this and it's always best to have your own equipment that you know is right for you!

• When notified, you will be instructed to enter the field and head to the 1st base dugout.  You will be given time to stretch, warm-up and throw along the foul-line.  Players will not be allowed to warm-up on the infield or in front of the dugouts.  

• The League President will then make a Welcome Statement to your group and provide a short explanation of the tryout procedures, which are as follows:

1. Outfield:  All players who play an OF position will form a line in CF and take turns first fielding a few fly-balls.  Each time a player fields a fly-ball, he/she will make a throw to 3rd base, either by using the cut-off or throwing directly to the base.  Once all players have completed the fly-balls, the process is repeated for a few groundballs.  

2. Infield:  Players who play 2B, SS and 3B will form line at the SS position.  Players who want to play 1B will form a line at 1st base.  Players at the SS position will field groundballs and make throws to 1st Base.  Immediately after making the throw to 1B, the player will cover 2B and receive a throw down from the catcher.  After all players at the SS position have finished, the players at 1B will then take groundballs and make throws to 3B.

3. Pitching & Catching:  Pitchers will be given a few minutes to warm-up & throw in the outfield grass before taking the mound with a catcher.  On the mound, each pitcher will be given 10-15 pitches of their choice and will throw to a catcher in full gear at the plate.  Pitchers & catchers waiting for their turn will stay loose in the outfield grass.

4. Hitting:  Each player will be given 10-12 swings at the plate against live, batting-practice-speed pitches from a pitcher behind an L-screen.  Players waiting for their turn to bat will shag batted balls in the outfield.  

• While you are demonstrating your skills above, managers of existing teams in the league will be observing and making notes on a form provided to them.

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League Draft

 

Immediately following the completion of the skills portion of the tryout, we will proceed to the draft phase. All tryout players are free to leave the field.    At the conclusion of the draft, which should take about 15 -20 minutes, each manager will contact their draft selections directly.  

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Forming New Teams at Tryouts

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Even though we call it a "tryout", our main purpose and intent is to place all players on a current team or form new teams in the league.  We are always looking to grow and improve our league, both in terms of talent and number of players / teams.  We never want to turn away a player who has expressed the interest and desire to join us in the great game of baseball.   In any given year, the number of players needed by a manager of an existing team can range from none to 5 or more.  Depending on the number of players who show up for a tryout, there may be enough players remaining after the draft selection to create one or more entirely new teams.  Should this happen, the League President will ask for volunteers to step forward and fill a manager position so that new teams can be created.  Most managers are also players, so don't feel that taking on this role eliminates you as a player.  However, it can give you and others a great opportunity to join the league and play baseball! Should you decide to take on a managerial role, you will not be left in the dark.  The League President will work directly with you and set you up for success in creating / managing your new team.  He will provide you with resources to make your role as easy as possible, including sharing vendors commonly used for uniform acquisition, etc.  

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In-Season Tryouts & Prospective Player List

 

If you were unable to make the Pre-Season Tryouts or discovered our league either after they were completed or once our regular season has started, there are still avenues for you to join the league and get connected with a team.  SAABL maintains a Prospective Player List specifically for this purpose.  There is no cost to join this list.  Simply click on the link below, fill out the required information and submit.  All managers of all teams in our league have access to this list and are notified each time a prospective player signs up.  As with the Undrafted Free Agent List above, at any time, managers can contact you and schedule an individual tryout, typically done during a team practice at a field or at an indoor facility.  Should you be contacted by a manager during the season and receive an invitation to join a team, at that time you would register as an official player with SAABL and pay a pro-rated league fee based on the remaining games.

 

Lastly, if you have become aware of our league through discussion with a SAABL player or manager and have received an invitation from that manager to join his/her team, it is not necessary to sign up on the Undrafted Free Agent or Prospective Player Lists.  In this case, you would simply register with SAABL as a new player and select your designated team during the registration process.