Small Things That Can Catch The Attention Of A College Scout During A Baseball Tournament
When you're a high school student who also plays club baseball for a local organization, you can expect that your team will participate in a significant number of showcase tournaments throughout the season. As their name suggests, showcase tournaments offer you a chance to showcase your abilities on the field to the many college scouts who will be in attendance. This will be one of the first steps toward getting a college scholarship, so it's important for you to play well during these events. While scouts will be assessing your fundamentals at the plate and in the field, they'll also be watching for some smaller things that the best players do. Here are some examples.
Giving Full Effort Every Play
There will be times that it's tempting to give less than 100 percent effort on certain plays. For example, if you're batting and you hit a weak ground ball to the pitcher, there's a high probability that they will throw you out at first base. Some hitters respond to this probability by merely jogging toward first base until the ball gets there. Unfortunately, a scout can view such behavior as problematic, given that colleges want players who play hard. You should always give your full effort. In the above scenario, this means sprinting toward first base even if you expect that you'll be out.
Respecting Coaches And Umpires
Just as colleges want players who put in maximum effort, they also want athletes who are respectful of authority figures. Make sure that you behave in this manner toward your coaches and the umpires when your club team takes part in a showcase tournament. For example, if a coach's substitution results in you leaving the game, don't frown or argue. Similarly, if you don't agree with an umpire's call, resist the temptation to complain.
Taking Warm-Ups Seriously
The warm-up period before each game is a chance to get loose — but it can also be a good opportunity to demonstrate your approach to a college scout who will be watching. Take each warm-up seriously by playing catch, stretching, and swinging the bat. Some players use this time to socialize, and this doesn't suggest a mature approach. You never know who may have their eyes on you at any point during the warm-up period, so approaching it properly will send a positive message to the scouts. Contact a local high school baseball club to enroll.