Questions about the Coronavirus and how to prevent it?  Please click the link below from the MN Department of Health for more Information.

Children should engage in usual preventive actions to avoid infection, including:

• Frequentlly Washing Hands with soap & water
• Utiliziing alcohol based hand sanitizers
• Avoiding others who are sick
• Staying up to date on vaccinations, especially influenza

For the upcoming tryout weekend, please have players stay home if they are showing signs of sickness.  Also remind players to limit sharing of equipment as much as possible.  Thankfully, infection among children is faily uncommon, but we each play a role in protecting ourselves and others from spreading any illness.

https://www.health.state.mn.us/diseases/coronavirus/prevention.html

Thank you,

BTBA

2020 Tryouts March 7^th & 8^th

3/20 Update:

Coach and player selections have been posted.  Please refer to your email from BTBA for more information.  You can view teams utilizing the Teams tab in the top menu of this page.

3/16 Update:

Parents - quick update as we know everyone is waiting to hear the coach and team results.  While most of the hard work is done, we are still working through some final adjustmens.  We will have teams posted this week and will send out an email communication as soon as the teams become available.  Thank you for your continued patience.  

BTBA

Updates:

#1 - PLEASE PLAN TO ARRIVE 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO YOUR SCHEDULED TIME TO REGISTER

#2 - BOTH EVALUATION SITES ARE INDOORS. PLEASE WEAR TENNIS or TURF SHOES, NOT CLEATS

#3 - UNIFORM SIZING WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY 3/8 IN THE BIG WHITE TENT IN THE PARKING LOT

Original Message:

Please note that the evaluations take place at a different location Saturday vs. Sunday.  Times for your age group are listed in the previous post or refer to the Feb 24^th email from BTBA.  Reminders:

• Parents are NOT allowed to view the tryout process unless they have signed up as a potential head coach for their player’s team. 
• Players should NOT wear Bandits or Club team wear to the evaluations.

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled time to get checked in.  Players will have a brief warm up period before evaluations begin.  Volunteers will be on site to help direct players as needed.  Locations and tryout details are provided below:

Saturday, March 7^th :  

Champions Hall EP - 7000 Washington Ave. Eden Prairie, MN

In-Field Play, Outfield Play, and Running

Fielding/Defense: Focus is on Mechanics (Technique & Footwork) and Throwing (Accuracy & Strength).  Players will be tested fielding grounders at First, Second, Short Stop, and Third Base.  They will also be tested on Outfield play.

Running: Players will run timed sprints of 40 yards (10U-12U) or 60 yards (13U-15U).

Sunday, March 8^th :     

Starters Shakopee - 1698 Vierling Dr. East, Shakopee, MN

Hitting, Pitching, and Catching (Optional). 

Hitting: Focus is on Contact and Mechanics (Stance, Balance, Lower Body Use, Bat Speed, Timing, & Control).  During this evaluation, players will receive a set number of pitches consisting of underhand then overhand throws from evaluators.  Unhittable pitches will NOT be scored and no pitching machines will be used for this evaluation.

Pitching: Focus is on Mechanics (Form and Balance) and Throwing (Accuracy and Speed).  Players will throw a set number of warm-up pitches from the first mound followed by evaluated pitches from a second mound and can throw from the wind-up or the stretch.  For 13U and up, players may be asked to throw three off speed pitches of their choice at the end of the evaluation.

Catching (Optional): Focus is on Mechanics (Receiving & Blocking) and Throwing (Footwork, Accuracy, Arm Strength).  Players will receive a set number of pitches to either block or catch and throw to a 2^nd Base target.  Players are encouraged to bring their own gear, but catcher’s equipment will be available for all players that need it. 

*Please Note that Catching will NOT be used in a player’s overall score.  These scores are used as secondary evaluations to help coaches balance teams with skilled catchers. 

Post Try Outs:

Thank you for participating!

Players should grab their gear and exit the tryout area swiftly to make room for the next age group.

Player Scores will be provided to BTBA to determine coach and player selection.

The following weekend (March 14/15) a select group of BTBA Board Members will identify team coaches and work with them to select teams at each age and skill level.

We always need more coaches! If you are interested please submit an Application Form today!

We plan to post team rosters as soon as possible the week of March 16^th.