PLAYER EVALUATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM

1. PLAYER EVALUATION: THE IMPORTANCE OF A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM Mike Hill Head Baseball Coach Lawrence Free State High School

2. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? • Permits coaches to make best decisions for their PROGRAM: * Who should make the team? * Who should play at what level? * Who should play what position? A system provides your staff with the best insight towards making these decisions.

3. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? 2. Permits coaches to make best decisions for their PLAYERS: * What skills do I need to work on? * What do I do well? * Why am I playing this position? An evaluation is the best foundation for having a productive discussion with your players

4. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? 3. Permits coaches to properly COMMUNICATE WITH COLLEGE COACHES AND SCOUTS: * Why can your player play at my level? * What are positive and negatives? * Quantifies your conversation An easily communicated evaluation system provides coaches/scouts with your best insights

5. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? 4. Permits coaches to properly COMMUNICATE WITH PLAYERS, PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATION: * How could you cut my kid? * Why is this parent calling my office? * Coach: Why did I get cut? A comprehensive evaluation makes the difficult conversations easier to have

6. CRITERIA FOR A SUCCESSFUL EVALUATION SYSTEM • Is the same PROCESS: * all players have the same evaluation 2. Is DATA DRIVEN: * It quantifies the evaluation • It MINIMIZES SUBJECTIVITY: * allows for opinions but from the same language 4. It is CLEARLY COMMUNICATED: * everyone knows what to expect 5. It is EASILY ACCESSIBLE: * can quickly and privately be shared with others

7. PROCESS • Evaluations primarily are based upon the 5 Tools: 1. Speed 2. Hitting 3. Hitting with Power 4. Arm Strength 5. Fielding It’s easier to explain and harder to argue with numbers

8. PROCESS INFIELDERS EVALUATON: • All infielders {except 1B} at short * 8 balls hit to each * 2 at them * 2 to the left * 2 to the right * 2 slow rollers * All throws to 1st Base with radar gun behind

9. PROCESS 1st BASEMAN EVALUATION: * 8 Balls * 3-6-3 double plays * gun behind 2nd base

10. PROCESS OUTFIELDERS EVALUATION: • All outfielders in RF * 8 balls hit to each – combination of all * 2 at them * 1 left * 1 right * 2 go get * 2 charge All throws to 3B through relay/gun behind 3B

11. PROCESS CATCHER EVALUATION: * Pop Times * 6 on Monday and Tuesday * Wednesday as needed * Receiving * As pitchers throw pens

12. PROCESS PITCHER EVALUATION: * Utilize 3 mounds: Warm-up mound #1 Warm-up mound #2 Evaluation mound * Same catcher follows pitcher through * Radar gun at evaluation mound

13. PROCESS PITCHER EVALUATION: * 2 sets of 8: – can ask for more * 2 FB, 2 BB, 3 FB * 2 FB, 2 CH, 3 FB * can always adjust * use caution and be careful!!

14. PROCESS HITTER EVALUATION: * 1 set of 3 bunts and 8 swings * Coach Pitched * 1 cage for warm-up/1 for eval

15. PROCESS RUNNER EVALUATION: * 2 60 Yd. Dash times * only need to run once * begin on movement of runner * start from baserunning position * start on foul line * OF/C run when IF evaluated: switch

16. DATA DRIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF A DETAILED RUBRIC • Quantifies and streamlines varying opinions of coaches: good, ok, great, bad to a number. • Allows a player to be properly evaluated against his peers: • Grades players on a score of 1-8, with 4 being the average, varsity, high school player

17. SPEED, VELCOITY AND CATCHERS

18. HITTING AND POWER

19. FIELDING SCORES

20. THROWING SCORES

21. BUNTING

22. PITCHING

23. MINIMIZES SUBJECTIVITY All coaches work from the same rubric and framework: • Coaches speak the same language. • Coaches look for the same things. • Evaluations are not as varied. If all coaches work from the same rubric, a more solidified evaluation will occur

24. CLEARLY COMMUNICATED • Dear Prospective Baseball Player: • The following will be our guideline for the 2012 Free State baseball tryouts. Returning players are considered those who played in the program last season. New players include all freshmen and others who did not play in the program last year. Please know that this schedule is subject to changes which will be noted on our website www.freestatebaseball.com. • BASEBALL TRYOUT SCHEDULE • Monday, Feb. 27, Tues, Feb. 28, Wed, Feb. 29: • INDOOR SCHEDULE: OUTDOOR SCHEDULE: • 5:15-6:00: Returning players in cages 3:25-4:45: Returning players on field • 6:00-6:45: New players in cages 4:45-5:30: New players on field • 6:45-7:15: New players in gym 5:30-6:15: Soph./Frosh hitters in indoor cages • 7:15-8:00: Returning players in gym 6:15-7:15: Senior/Junior hitters in indoor cages • 8:00-9:00: All pitchers/catchers in gym 7:15-8:15: All pitchers/catchers in main gym • PLEASE ARRIVE EARLY ENOUGH THAT YOU ARE WARMED-UP AND READY TO GO AT THE TIME LISTED! SESSIONS FOR NEW PLAYERS CAN BEGIN EARLIER THAN SCHEDULED.

25. CLEARLY COMMUNICATED • Thursday, March 1: • All prospective players should report to the baseball office/locker room at the following times: • Seniors 2:45 • Juniors: 3:20 • Sophomores: 3:30 • Freshmen: 3:45 • At this time, you will be informed of your status with the team in a face-to-face meeting with Coach Hill and the staff. Those who make the team will proceed to check-out equipment. • During equipment checkout, apparel packages will be available for sell from a local vendor. The packages will include cleats, turf shoes, sleeves, socks, batting gloves etc. These items can be purchased at a discounted rate, but are not required. Arrangements are between the player and the vendor. It is suggested that a check be brought to equipment checkout and made payable to the vendor. • Also, contracts for summer teams will be given at this time. The full payment due date, unless otherwise arranged with Coach Hill, shall be June 1. • Members of the teams shall remain after equipment checkout for a program meeting. The evening should conclude around 7:30 pm.

26. CLEARLY COMMUNICATED • Our intention is to let everyone know their status with the team during the meeting scheduled for Thursday. Team practices will begin Friday. • All outdoor workouts will be held on the varsity field at Free State. Indoor workouts will be held in both gymnasiums and the hitting cages, upstairs, above the main gym. • Remember, to tryout you must have the following on file at Free State: • A signed physical. • A signed and notarized proof of insurance and medical release form. • A signed tryout agreement. • A concussion/head injury release form. • If you make the team, you will also need to: • Have a signed Code of Conduct Contract on file in the main office. • Pay your participation fee of $50.00. • Make sure you have your $25.00 activity ticket purchased.

27. CLEARLY COMMUNICATED • Friday, March 2: • Practice time TBA. • Saturday, March 3: • Practice time TBA. • You are responsible for knowing if we are inside or out. If you are uncertain, check the website, www.freestatebaseball.com • We will do our best to give everybody 3 opportunities to be judged on the following skills: • Arm strength. • Fielding ability. • Hitting ability. • Hitting power. • 60 yd. Dash. • Bunting. • Pitchers will be evaluated on: • Pitches: Fastball/Change/Curve/Other • Control. • Velocity. • Poise.

28. CLEARLY COMMUNICATED • This letter has been given to each player who turned in a sign-up sheet. If you are aware of someone who would like to play but did not sign-up, pass on this information to him and have him call the baseball office. • If you have questions, feel free to call the school. Information about items that need to be turned in prior to tryouts can be directed to Deb Carpenter in the Athletics’ office at 832-6050. Other questions can be directed to Coach Hill at 832-6050, or e-mail at mhill@usd497.org. • We look forward to seeing you on Monday, February 27. • Sincerely, • Coach Hill

29. CLEARLY COMMUNICATED: Evaluation Sheet • BASEBALL EVALUATION SHEET • 2012 TRYOUTS • NAME: _________________________________________ • CLASS: _______________ • EVALUATION SCORES: • HITTING ABILITY: /8 PITCHING VELOCITY: /8 • HITTING POWER: /8 PITCH MOVEMENT: /8 • BUNTING: /8 CHANGE-UP /8 • FIELDING ABILITY: /8 BREAKING BALL /8 • THROWING ARM: /8 OTHER /8 • 60 YARD DASH: /8 POISE /8 • TOTAL SCORE:/48 TOTAL /48 • SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT:

30. Evaluation #’s: OUTFIELDERS

31. Evaluation #’s: C and 1B

32. Evaluation #’s: INFIELDERS

33. Evaluation #’s: INFIELDERS

34. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? • Permits coaches to make best decisions for their PROGRAM: * Who should make the team? * Who should play at what level? * Who should play what position? A system provides your staff with the best insight towards making these decisions.

35. GENERAL RULES 30+ = All-State Player/Pro-Style Prospect 25+ = Varsity Player/College Potential 20-25 = Varsity Type Player 18-22 = Junior Varsity Type Player 16-22 = C Team Type Player 15 - = Not Likely to Make the Team

36. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? 2. Permits coaches to make best decisions for their PLAYERS: * What skills do I need to work on? * What do I do well? * Why am I playing this position? An evaluation is the best foundation for having a productive discussion with your players

37. BEST DECISIONS FOR PLAYERS

38. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? 3. Permits coaches to properly COMMUNICATE WITH COLLEGE COACHES AND SCOUTS: * Why can your player play at my level? * What are positive and negatives? * Quantifies your conversation An easily communicated evaluation system provides coaches/scouts with your best insights

39. Communication with College Coaches/Pro Scout

40. Communication with College Coach/Pro Scout

41. Communication with College Coach/Pro Scout

42. WHY IS A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATON SYSTEM IMPORTANT? 4. Permits coaches to properly COMMUNICATE WITH PLAYERS, PARENTS AND ADMINISTRATION: * How could you cut my kid? * Why is this parent calling my office? * Coach: Why did I get cut?

43. COMMUNICATION: Why you were cut/Your Son/Their Kid

44. COMMUNICATION: Why you were cut/Your Son/Their Kid #2

45. A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION SYSTEM IS VITAL IF YOU TRYOUT OR NOT • Quantifies your opinions for less subjectivity. • Helps determine who makes the team. • Helps determine who plays at what level. • Helps determine who plays what position. • Helps a coach communicate with college coaches, pro scouts, parents, players and administration.