Baseball Tryout Evaluation Form: Free Printable Template for Coaches
A clean, consistent evaluation form that rates players on hitting, fielding, throwing, speed, baseball IQ, and attitude. One sheet per player, built for youth and high school tryouts.
Running baseball tryouts without a consistent baseball tryout evaluation form is like coaching a game without a lineup card. You end up relying on gut feel, and some kids get overlooked. A good evaluation form gives every player the same fair assessment across the same skills, and it gives you data to make roster decisions you can stand behind.
This free printable form rates players on a 1-5 scale across the skills that matter most: hitting, fielding, throwing arm, speed, baseball IQ, and attitude. There's space for position preference, notes, and an overall rating. One sheet per player, one stack per tryout session.
Once tryouts are done and you've made your roster, use our baseball depth chart template to organize your team and our lineup template to start planning games. Running softball tryouts? Grab the softball tryout evaluation form instead. And when it's time to order gear, check out our custom baseball jerseys and baseball uniforms.
What This Evaluation Form Covers
Every skill category that matters for making roster decisions.
Hitting
Bat speed, swing mechanics, power, contact ability, plate discipline
Fielding
Ground balls, fly balls, footwork, glove work, range, first-step quickness
Throwing Arm
Arm strength, accuracy, throwing mechanics, release, carry
Speed
60-yard dash, base running, instincts on the bases, first-to-third ability
Baseball IQ
Situational awareness, positioning, reads, understanding of the game
Attitude
Hustle, coachability, communication, effort, team-first mentality
Evaluation Form Template Preview
One form per player. Print a stack for each tryout session.
| Skill Category | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitting Mechanics Stance, load, swing path, follow-through | | |||||
| Bat Speed / Power Exit velocity, driving the ball | | |||||
| Contact Ability Barrel accuracy, plate discipline | | |||||
| Fielding: Ground Balls Footwork, glove work, transfers | | |||||
| Fielding: Fly Balls Routes, tracking, catches | | |||||
| Arm Strength Velocity, carry, mechanics | | |||||
| Throwing Accuracy Hitting targets, release point | | |||||
| Speed / Base Running 60-yard, instincts, aggressiveness | | |||||
| Baseball IQ Situational plays, positioning | | |||||
| Attitude / Hustle Effort, coachability, communication | |
Pitching Evaluation (if applicable)
| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velocity Fastball speed for age | | |||||
| Control Throwing strikes, command | | |||||
| Mechanics Delivery, arm action, balance | | |||||
| Secondary Pitches Changeup, curve, movement | |
Overall Rating
Recommended Position(s)
Roster Rec
Additional Notes
How to Use This Evaluation Form
Run organized tryouts that give every player a fair shot.
Assign tryout numbers
Give every player a number (piece of tape on their shirt or a pinnie). Write that number on their evaluation form. This lets evaluators track players by number during drills without needing to know names, which reduces bias.
Set up evaluation stations
Run hitting, fielding (infield + outfield), throwing, and a 60-yard dash as separate stations. Rotate groups every 15-20 minutes. One evaluator per station fills in the relevant rows on each player's form.
Score on the 1-5 scale in real time
Check the box for the rating as you watch each player. Don't overthink it. First impressions at tryouts are usually accurate. Use the notes column for anything that doesn't fit a number (e.g., "great hands but slow release" or "raw power, needs swing work").
Compile scores after tryouts
Gather all evaluation forms and total the scores per player. Sort by total score to see a clear ranking. Then review the individual skill breakdowns for players who are close. The notes column will help you make tough calls between similarly scored players.
Build your roster and depth chart
Once you've made your roster, use the position recommendations and skill scores to build your depth chart. Players who scored high in fielding and arm strength go to premium defensive positions. Players with the best hitting scores anchor your batting order.
When to Use This Form
Any time you need to evaluate baseball talent objectively.
Preseason tryouts. The primary use case. Whether you're a travel ball coach cutting from 40 kids to 12, or a high school coach building a varsity and JV roster, this form gives you consistent data across every player who tries out.
Mid-season evaluations. Use the same form to reassess players mid-season. Compare scores from tryouts to mid-season to track development. This data helps you make lineup changes and identify players who need extra work in specific areas.
Showcase events and camps. If you're running a baseball camp or showcase, use this form to give participants written feedback. Parents appreciate getting a concrete assessment rather than just a generic "good job" from camp coaches.
Recruiting evaluations. High school coaches evaluating incoming freshmen or middle school feeders can use this form to scout talent early. Gives you a paper trail of how players develop from year to year.
Tips for Running Baseball Tryouts
Make tryouts fair, efficient, and useful.
Use multiple evaluators
One coach's opinion isn't enough to cut a kid. Have at least 2-3 evaluators score independently, then compare. If evaluators disagree significantly on a player, take a closer look in the next session.
Run tryouts over multiple days
Some kids have bad days. Seeing players over 2-3 sessions gives you a more accurate picture than a single 2-hour tryout. It also lets you run live game situations on the last day, which reveals baseball IQ that stations can't.
Don't skip the attitude row
The best talent in the world doesn't matter if a kid won't listen, won't hustle, or brings the team down. Score the attitude row honestly. At the youth level, coachability and effort often predict development better than current raw skill.
Keep forms for the season
Don't throw away tryout forms. They're your documentation if a parent questions a roster decision. They're also valuable for tracking player development year over year. File them with your lineup templates and season records.
Related Templates
More free printable templates for coaches.
Softball Tryout Evaluation Form
Softball-specific tryout form with windmill pitching and slap hitting evaluation criteria.
Baseball Depth Chart Template
Organize your roster with starters and backups at every position after tryouts.
Baseball Lineup Template
Full game planning template with batting order, defensive alignment, and pitching rotation.
Baseball Lineup Card
Standard lineup card template to hand to the umpire on game day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What skills should you evaluate at baseball tryouts?
The core skills to evaluate are: hitting (mechanics, power, bat speed, contact ability), fielding (ground balls, fly balls, footwork, glove work), throwing (arm strength, accuracy, mechanics), speed (60-yard dash, base running), pitching (if applicable: velocity, control, secondary pitches), and baseball IQ (positioning, situational awareness, coachability). Rate each on a 1-5 scale for easy comparison across players.
How do you run an efficient baseball tryout?
Set up stations and rotate groups every 15-20 minutes. Typical stations: hitting (cage or live), infield/outfield, 60-yard dash, throwing/long toss, and pitching/catching. Assign each player a number that matches their evaluation form. Have one evaluator per station with a clipboard and forms. Run tryouts over 2-3 sessions so you see players more than once.
What is a good rating scale for baseball tryouts?
A 1-5 scale works best for most tryout scenarios. 1 = well below average, needs significant development. 2 = below average. 3 = average for the age group. 4 = above average, stands out. 5 = exceptional, top of the group. Avoid half-points or decimal scales as they slow down evaluation and create false precision.
Should you evaluate attitude and coachability at tryouts?
Yes. Attitude, hustle, and coachability are worth evaluating alongside physical skills. A player who listens to instructions, hustles between stations, and encourages teammates is often more valuable than a talented player who doesn't. Include a separate row for attitude/coachability on the evaluation form. It's especially important at the youth level where development matters more than current skill.
How many evaluators do you need for baseball tryouts?
Ideally one evaluator per station. For a typical 5-station tryout, that's 5 evaluators. If you're short on help, 2-3 evaluators can rotate. The key is having at least 2 independent evaluations per player so you can compare notes and reduce individual bias. Combine scores after tryouts and discuss any major disagreements before making final decisions.
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