Softball Tryout Evaluation Form: Free Printable Template for Fastpitch Coaches
A comprehensive evaluation form built for fastpitch softball tryouts. Rates hitting, slap hitting, fielding, throwing, speed, windmill pitching, catching, softball IQ, and attitude on a 1-5 scale.
A softball tryout evaluation form gives your coaching staff a consistent way to assess every player who walks onto the field. Without one, you're left comparing mental notes across dozens of kids, and someone always gets overlooked. This form standardizes the process so every player gets evaluated on the same criteria.
This free printable template is built specifically for fastpitch softball. It includes all the standard baseball-crossover skills (hitting, fielding, throwing, speed) plus softball-specific categories: windmill pitching mechanics, slap hitting, and catching evaluations for the fastpitch game. Each skill is rated on a 1-5 scale with space for notes.
Once you've built your roster, use our softball lineup template to plan your game-day lineups with DP/Flex support. For a full breakdown of softball positions, check out our positions guide. Running baseball tryouts instead? Use the baseball tryout evaluation form. And when gear time comes, we've got softball uniforms and custom jerseys ready.
What This Evaluation Form Covers
Softball-specific skill categories built for fastpitch tryouts.
Hitting
Swing mechanics, bat speed, power, contact ability, plate discipline, opposite-field hitting
Slap Hitting
Footwork, placement, bunt/slap variety, speed through the box (left-handed hitters)
Fielding
Ground balls, fly balls, footwork, glove work, range, quick transfers
Throwing
Arm strength, accuracy, release, carry, throwing on the run
Speed
Home-to-first, base running instincts, aggressiveness, stealing ability
Pitching / Catching
Windmill mechanics, velocity, movement, control, receiving, blocking, pop time
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 | | |||||
| Slap Hitting (LHH) Footwork, placement, bunt/slap variety | | |||||
| Fielding: Ground Balls Footwork, glove work, transfers | | |||||
| Fielding: Fly Balls Routes, tracking, catches | | |||||
| Arm Strength Velocity, carry, throwing mechanics | | |||||
| Throwing Accuracy Hitting targets, release point | | |||||
| Speed / Base Running Home-to-1st, stealing, instincts | | |||||
| Softball IQ Situational plays, positioning, reads | | |||||
| Attitude / Hustle Effort, coachability, communication | |
Pitching Evaluation (Windmill)
| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arm Circle Mechanics Clean circle, arm speed, wrist snap | | |||||
| Velocity Speed for age group | | |||||
| Control Throwing strikes, hitting spots | | |||||
| Rise Ball Movement, effectiveness | | |||||
| Drop Ball Movement, effectiveness | | |||||
| Change-Up Speed differential, deception | |
Catching Evaluation
| Skill | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Receiving Framing, soft hands, low pitches | | |||||
| Blocking Balls in dirt, drop balls | | |||||
| Pop Time / Throwing Release, accuracy to 2nd | |
Overall Rating
Recommended Position(s)
Roster Rec
Additional Notes
How to Use This Evaluation Form
Run organized softball tryouts that give every player a fair shot.
Number every player
Give each player a numbered pinnie or tape a number on their shirt. Match the number to their evaluation form. Evaluators can reference numbers during fast-paced drills without stopping to ask names.
Run skill stations with one evaluator each
Set up stations for hitting, slap hitting (lefties only), infield, outfield, throwing, speed (home-to-first), and pitching/catching. Rotate groups every 15-20 minutes. Each evaluator scores the skills that correspond to their station.
Score in real time on the 1-5 scale
Check the box for each skill as you observe. 3 is average for the age group. Only give 5s to players who clearly stand out. Use the notes column for context that a number alone can't capture.
Run a scrimmage on day two
Live game situations reveal things stations can't: softball IQ, composure, competitiveness, and how players interact with teammates. Score the softball IQ and attitude rows during the scrimmage.
Compare evaluations and build your roster
Total each player's scores and sort. Cross-reference evaluator notes for players near the cut line. Use position recommendations to build a balanced roster, then set up your softball lineup template with your new team.
Softball-Specific Evaluation Tips
What to look for that's different from baseball tryouts.
Evaluate windmill pitching mechanics carefully
Bad mechanics at a young age lead to shoulder and elbow problems later. Look for a clean arm circle, proper wrist snap, good hip drive, and a balanced follow-through. A pitcher with clean mechanics and average velocity will develop faster than one with bad mechanics and high velocity.
Don't overlook slap potential
Left-handed batters who show speed and footwork could develop into slap hitters even if they haven't done it before. Evaluate their raw speed and willingness to learn. A fast left-handed batter who can bunt and slap adds a huge dimension to your offense that power hitters can't.
Test catchers on rise balls and drop balls
Softball catchers deal with pitches that move very differently from baseball. Test their ability to block drop balls (which hit the dirt more often) and receive rise balls (which come up in the zone). These skills are specific to fastpitch and don't transfer directly from baseball catching.
Time home-to-first, not just a 60-yard dash
In softball, the bases are 60 feet apart (not 90). Home-to-first time matters more than a 60-yard dash for practical game purposes. Time how fast players run from the batter's box to first base with a swing. Sub-3.0 seconds is solid for high school, sub-2.8 is elite.
Assess position versatility
Softball rosters are often smaller than baseball rosters. Players who can play 2-3 positions are more valuable than one-position specialists. Note on the form if a player shows potential at multiple spots on the field.
When to Use This Form
Any time you need to evaluate softball talent objectively.
Travel ball tryouts. The most common use case. Travel teams are usually cutting from a large group, and having standardized evaluation forms is the fairest way to make roster decisions. It also gives you documentation if parents question the process.
High school tryouts. Varsity and JV selections benefit from structured evaluation. Multiple coaches evaluating independently with the same form produces better roster decisions than a single coach going by feel.
Rec league drafts. Rec league coaches can use this form during a pre-season combine to help with fair team drafts. Rate every player on the same skills, and the draft order becomes more equitable.
Mid-season check-ins. Re-evaluate players mid-season using the same form. Compare to tryout scores to track development and identify areas where individual players need extra coaching attention.
Related Templates
More free printable templates for coaches.
Baseball Tryout Evaluation Form
Baseball-specific tryout form with overhand pitching and position evaluation criteria.
Softball Lineup Template
Softball lineup sheet with DP/Flex support, defensive alignment, and pitching plan.
Baseball Depth Chart Template
Organize your roster with starters and backups at every position after tryouts.
Baseball Scorebook
Full scorebook template with at-bat tracking, baserunner diamonds, and pitching stats.
Softball Gear from Secondslide
Ready to outfit your team? Check out our custom gear.
Youth Softball Uniforms
Custom softball uniforms with sublimated jerseys and team packages for youth programs.
Softball Jerseys
Lightweight, moisture-wicking softball jerseys with custom designs and colors.
Softball Positions
Complete guide to all softball positions, roles, and defensive responsibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should you evaluate at softball tryouts?
The core skills are hitting (mechanics, bat speed, power, contact), slap hitting (if left-handed), fielding (ground balls, fly balls, footwork, transfers), throwing (arm strength, accuracy), speed (home-to-first, base running), pitching (windmill mechanics, velocity, spin, control), catching (receiving, blocking, pop time), softball IQ, and attitude/coachability. Rate each on a 1-5 scale.
How is a softball tryout different from a baseball tryout?
Softball tryouts evaluate windmill pitching instead of overhand pitching, include slap hitting for left-handed batters, and assess catching skills specific to fastpitch (lower pitch receiving, blocking drop balls and rise balls). Softball also uses a larger ball, shorter base paths, and different pitching distance, so speed and fielding evaluations are calibrated differently than baseball.
How do you evaluate slap hitting at tryouts?
Set up a slap hitting station for left-handed batters. Evaluate their footwork in the box (timing of the crossover step), ability to hit to different zones (left side, bunt, slap past the pitcher), running through the hit, and speed down the line. Not every lefty is a slap hitter, but you should evaluate the potential. Score slap mechanics, placement, and speed separately.
What should you look for in pitchers at softball tryouts?
For windmill pitching, evaluate: arm circle mechanics (clean circle, arm speed), velocity for age, control (throwing strikes consistently), movement pitches (rise ball, drop ball, curve, change-up), and composure under pressure. At younger ages (10U-12U), focus mostly on mechanics and control. Movement pitches become more important at 14U and up.
How long should softball tryouts last?
Plan for 2-3 hours per session over 2 days. Day 1 covers individual skills: hitting stations, fielding stations, 60-yard dash, throwing, and pitching/catching. Day 2 should include live game situations (scrimmage or situational drills) so you can evaluate softball IQ and how players perform under pressure. Two days gives you enough data and accounts for players having an off day.
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