PLAYER EVALUATIONS & TRYOUTS
Western Hills Little League (WHLL) will host mandatory Spring Baseball evaluations for every player ages 8-12 on Saturday, January 27, 2024
(Make-up day on Sunday, January 28 11:30-1pm only).
**Please note**
Evaluations and Tryouts will be held at two seperate locations, depending on the Players age.
**There are no evaluations for the Divisions of T-Ball, Coach Pitch, or Machine Pitch 7. If your child is Little League age 4-7, please expect to be contacted by your Coach after January 26, 2024 with team assignment.
Little League Age 8 & 9
Saturday January 27
with a make-up date on Sunday, January 28
at JOSEPH FIELD
1314 Exposition Blvd (at WAYA)
To manage the flow, please adhere to the following schedule unless you have an unmanageable conflict, in which case, show up when you can.
For both 8- and 9-YO, last name starts with the letter:
o A-E
9:30 am – 10:45 am (do not arrive more than 15 minutes early)
o F-J
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
o K-O
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
o P-Z
1:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Little League Age 10 & 11 & 12
Saturday January 27
with a make-up date on Sunday, January 28
KOCUREK FIELD & BISHOP FIELD
1200 W Cesar Chavez St.
*Please enter the facility on Reserve Road.
o A-E
9:30 am – 10:45 am (do not arrive more than 15 minutes early)
o F-J
10:45 am – 12:00 pm
o K-O
12:15 pm – 1:30 pm
o P-Z
1:30 pm – 3:45 pm
All 12-YO’s are required to try-out for the Major League on Bishop Field unless a parent elects to place the 12-YO player in the Minor League (i.e. - a lower division) due to their relative baseball skill and desire (which is encouraged where appropriate). For example, a 12-YO playing baseball for the first time should strongly consider playing in a Minor League division as should a 12-YO with very limited baseball abilities.
The more advanced 11-YO’s are encouraged to also try-out for the Major League on Bishop Field (next to Kocurek Field). Some 11-YO’S will be drafted to the Major League.
The more advanced 11-YO’s that elect to try-out for the Major League at Bishop Field for the possibility of being drafted to the Majors will be evaluated twice: once for the Minor Leagues on Kocurek Field and then a second time for the Major Leagues on Bishop Field (next to Kocurek Field). For a point of clarity, ALL 10- and 11-YO’s are required to try out for the Minor Leagues.
Please note: If your 11-YO elects to try-out for the Major League and is drafted, they cannot elect to play Minors as it harms the fairness of the draft and the team formation process. Said another way, there is no guarantee your 11-YO will be drafted to the Major League if they elect to try-out, but if they do elect to try-out AND they are drafted, then you are required to play in the Major League. It is not a “double-option” for your family. Please make this elective decision carefully.
Major League evaluations are more difficult than Minor League evaluations.
**Important Note: Per Little League rules, if you do not attend evaluations, you are not eligible to play in the Major League and will automatically be placed on a Minor League team (Triple-AAA or Double-AA) unless you provide an excuse acceptable to the Board of Directors.
WHAT TO BRING & WEAR TO EVALUATIONS
You need to bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate (original not required). This is important to bring so please do not make us turn you away at the door.
Make sure your player has a USA stamped bat (not a USSSA bat).
Your child should wear cleats, baseball pants, and a baseball hat, and bring a baseball glove, bat, and a batting helmet. Also, bring a small water bottle.
Bring hand warmers if it is cold and other cold-weather gear.
HOW LONG WILL EVALUATIONS LAST?
Please anticipate spending at least 1 hour at evaluations if not longer.
WHAT SKILLS WILL BE EVALUATED / HOW SHOULD WE PREPARE?
Coaches evaluate the player’s ability to hit 4-5 pitches (thrown from a pitching machine), bunt, a timed run to second base, a slide, fielding three ground balls at the shortstop position and throwing to first base, and fielding three fly balls in the outfield and throwing the ball to third base.
In addition, your child is required to throw 3-5 pitches off the pitching mound to evaluate pitching mechanics, velocity, and accuracy.
Lastly, if your child is a catcher, they will be asked to block a few pitches and throw 2-3 balls from home plate to second base.
To best prepare for evaluations, have your players do baseball drills for two weeks before elevations (hit, catch, field, throw). Don’t show up cold.
Also, register for the WHLL Pre-Season Baseball Clinic to be held January 13-14, 2024 (see separate email for registration) for more helpful "baseball-time" prior to Evaluations & Tryouts.
PRO-TIPS FOR EVALUATIONS
On the day of evaluations, warm-up at home (i.e. play catch and swing the bat/ stretch).
Prepare for cold weather; bring batting gloves so hands stay warm.
When you arrive, ask your child to watch the other kids go through the process so they learn by watching.
MAKE-UP DATE
If you cannot attend Saturday’s evaluation, your alternative (and only) option is to attend a make-up session on Sunday from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.
WHAT IF WE CANNOT BE THERE EITHER DAY FOR EVALUATIONS?
That is a problem. You need to immediately reach out to the Spring Season Coordinator to discuss the situation. For players aged 11-12 and trying out for the Major League, the Board of Directors determines if the excuse is allowable and, if not, the player is not eligible to play in the Major League (per Little League rules).