Rochester Youth Baseball Association

The RYBA majors/minors program has been designed to allow players to develop skills and improve as players by placing them on teams that they can be successful as individuals as well as participate on teams that can be competitive against each other within league play.  By evaluating and placing players at levels where they are playing with and against players with similar skills and abilities will allow them to grow in all aspects of the game.

As part of the evaluation process, the following skill sets will be evaluated.  The majority of the decision is based on having both offensive and defensive baseball skills.  Selections will include looking at what differentiates kids with similar abilities and they include speed, attitude/hustle, and pitching potential. 

• Fielding/Throwing – The technical form and success rate are categorized by observing both grounders and fly balls.  Throwing accuracy and arm strength are also a factor.
• Hitting – The technical form and success of both the players ability to make contact and the power generated by the players swing.
• Speed/Baserunning – This part of the assessment allows differentiation based on the potential base running capability
• Pitching – This part of assessment allows differentiation based on the pitching potential. This information is also used to equally divide teams when tryout areas include selection of multiple teams.  The evaluation is of both the ability to throw accurately and with what velocity.
• Attitude – An important part of the assessment, especially for players close on decisions/selections. This includes listening skills, respectfulness, and player hustle. 

There is a defined and consistent process required to be used for every tryout region. The process will consist of 3 nights (based on weather) for each player and is designed to provide a fair and equitable way to make decisions.  Players are required to attend all 3 tryout nights. If there is a conflict please talk with the head evaluator. Evaluations will be done by coaches and board members, with 1 board member overseeing the entire tryout process.  We ask that you respect and understand that by no means is any tryout process perfect nor will kids perform consistently every day. 

RYBA will assign the number of players to each specific tryout region.  There is no guarantee that you will be assigned to a similar tryout region every year.  In most cases approximately 45-55 players would attend a tryout region time slot and the top 36 kids will be selected to be put on three equal majors teams.  The remaining players as well as those not choosing to attend tryouts will be placed on minor league teams.

Evaluation Tryout Day 1

At the first tryout session, there will be 3 stations that specific skills are evaluated.    Players will rotate stations as a group about every 30 minutes based on the number of participants.

Station 1: 15-18 players will be split into two groups at 3^rd base and shortstop.  A coach at home plate will hit ground balls and players will attempt to field the ball and throw 1^st base.   There will be a board member (or coach) evaluating the defensive station.  Players will switch lines at 3^rd and SS after each ground ball.  Additional volunteers may be used at 1^st base and to catch at home plate.  Players will be used for these two positions in the rotation if volunteers are not available.

Station 2: 15-18 players will be split into two groups.  One group will be in line to take batting practice. The batter will each be asked to attempt to bunt two pitches and then asked to hit 8-10 pitches.  The batter should swing at pitches in and closely around the strike zone.   The other group will be fielding for the batters and will switch as a group after hitters are complete.  There will be one board member (or coach) pitching and one evaluating at this station. This station will may be in grassy area away from the primary fields.

Station 3: 15-18 players will be at a station playing catch.  One at a time players interested in pitching will be pulled aside to be evaluated as a pitcher by a board member (or coach).   At older grades, players who are interested in catching would be evaluated at the same time as a catcher (gear would be provided).  If no catchers are interested a volunteer would be used or the pitcher evaluator would do both.  A 2^nd station evaluator would be evaluating the players playing catch in which the focus will be on simple throwing and catching fundamentals.

At older grade levels board members (or coaches) may supplement additional defensive drills in a 4^th station.

Evaluation Tryout Day 2

At the second tryout session, there will be 3 stations that specific skills are evaluated.  Players will rotate stations as a group about every 30 minutes based on the number of participants.

Station 1: Same as station 1 on the first day.

Station 2: Same as station 2 on the first day.

Station 3:  15-18 players will be at a station catching fly balls.   A coach will hit or throw fly balls to the players in line.  Players will first catch balls straight on and then 2^nd and 3^rd rounds be moved to catch going left or right.  There will be a board member (or coach) evaluating this defensive station.
A baserunning station may also be set up as players will rotate between the two stations as they complete their turn.  This station will may be in grassy area away from the primary fields.

At older grade levels board members (or coaches) may supplement additional defensive drills in a 4^th station.

Final Evaluation Tryout Day 3

Final evaluations will be made resulting in the selection of likely 36 players for 3 teams from each Tryout Region Time Slot.   The final tryouts will likely be scheduled for one hour.  The players will go through a series of drills and evaluations will be made.

Final Communication

The final assignment will be communicated immediately after the final evaluation via a sealed letter to each player.  This letter IS NOT to be opened by the player until they have left the field parking lot.

Team assignments

The head coaches selected to coach the Majors teams will get together and attempt to draft/split the teams evenly.   The players will be notified of team assignments as soon as they are completed and practice will begin as soon as spring cooperates.

Players assigned to the minor leagues will hear from their coaches approximately two weeks prior to the first game.

We strongly encourage all players to attend tryout evaluations to be properly placed on rosters. Even if you did not select to attend tryout evaluations when registering, you can simply show up at the location and times listed below to check in. Tryout coordinators will have a list of all registered players.  

This grade will be having tryout regions divided by the school the player is currently attending. Please report to the following region assignments for your house Majors/Minors tryouts. Note that Minors players will be divided by skill to create parity/equality in teams and not be assigned by school but rather placed across a mixture of the two tryout regions. We strongly encourage all to attend evaluations to be properly placed on rosters.

Players will report to their assigned tryout region time slots.  You may not request which of the two tryout region time slots that will be identified.

One Location:  Watson Sports Complex: 930 Essex Pkwy NW, Rochester

Dates:  Monday April 16th , Tuesday April 17^th & Wednesday April 18^th 

Region 1 (Time Slot A: 5:00-6:30 pm): Players attending the following schools
(3 Majors teams selected)
Gibbs
Sunset
St Pius
Elton Hills
RCLS
Washington
Holy Spirit
Gage
Resurrection Lutheran
Home School

Region 2 (Time Slot B: 6:30-8:00 pm): Players attending the following schools
(3 Majors teams selected)
Bishop
Jefferson
Hoover
Bamber
Folwell
Franklin
Riverside
St Francis
Stewartville
Victory
Lincoln
Montessori
Any others schools not listed in either of the Region 1 or Region 2 school lists above

The RYBA 5th Grade House program plans to have 6 Majors teams and 6 Minors teams of about 12 players (11 to 13 players per team is typical depending on final registration numbers).

We strongly encourage all players to attend tryout evaluations to be properly placed on rosters. Even if you did not select to attend tryout evaluations when registering, you can simply show up at the location and times listed below to check in. Tryout coordinators will have a list of all registered players.  

This grade will be having tryout regions divided by the school the player is currently attending. Please report to the following region assignments for your house Majors/Minors tryouts. Note that Minors players will be divided by skill to create parity/equality in teams and not be assigned by school but rather placed across a mixture of the two tryout regions. We strongly encourage all to attend evaluations to be properly placed on rosters.

Players will report to their assigned tryout region time slots.  You may not request which of the two tryout region time slots that will be identified.

We strongly encourage all players to attend tryout evaluations to be properly placed on rosters. Even if you did not select to attend tryout evaluations when registering, you can simply show up at the location and times listed below to check in. Tryout coordinators will have a list of all registered players.

This grade will have one single tryout for all players:
Rochester Baseball Complex Field #1 (RBC 1): 2591 UCR Pkwy SE, Rochester

We strongly encourage all players to attend tryout evaluations to be properly placed on rosters. Even if you did not select to attend tryout evaluations when registering, you can simply show up at the location and times listed below to check in. Tryout coordinators will have a list of all registered players.  

Region 1: All Players will attend this Region (5 Majors teams selected) 

Majors/Minors tryouts will be after spring break and vary by grade.  Stay tuned for a more detailed schedule by region. Typically they will be Monday and Tuesday followed by either Wednesday or Thursday based on weather.  Note that it can trickle into the weekend if weather conditions are poor. The GOAL is 3 evenings of tryouts that the player would attend Monday to Wednesday weather permitting.

Note that tryout regions are assigned based on region and/or school along with balancing number of potential players.  You can not pick your tryout region and they will be assigned.  Late registrations are typically assigned where kids are needed so ensure you register on time.