Heading to tryouts? Here are some hints

Baseball fields are being prepped all around the area for youth baseball tryouts. It's an exciting -- albeit still chilly -- time of year for everyone involved.

Coaching staffs typically know about half the kids who will swing the bat a few times, make a couple tosses and shag some fly balls. It's not an ideal tryout situation, but a necessary one in order to get everyone through in a reasonable amount of time.

My suggestion to coaches is to not assume that just because a player isn't well known, he can't play; or just because he dropped a fly ball, that he can't catch.

It's cold outside. Most kids haven't touched a bat or ball in a competitive situation since the early fall, and mistakes are bound to be made. I always look for technique -- it can be demonstrated in any type of weather under any conditions.

For players, see technique note above. In addition, dress for the weather. You might look cool in your favorite team's baseball cap, but that's exactly what you will be -- downright cold. A knit cap will keep you warmer and more comfortable, and no matter the sport, athletes perform better when comfortable.

Don't forget a pair of knit gloves to wear while you wait for your turn. There's a reason you see professional players wearing them in the dugouts in between innings on those chilly spring and fall nights.

Last but not least, try to wear something that will stick out -- either with your name on it or something nobody else will wear. A Braves sweatshirt is probably not a good idea, as many will don them.

For parents, the old saying we use for our kids is best: better to be seen and not heard. Coaches will assume if you are loud and belligerent during tryouts, you'll be even worse during practices and games.

I might even suggest you drop off your child and go out for coffee. I imagine your child will feel slightly less pressure if mom and dad aren't there watching and evaluating every move. You might as well make your child feel as comfortable as possible. Maybe ask their preference?

Baseball tryout time is almost as exciting as the arrival of spring itself. Make sure to make the most of it, no matter what your role.

Jon Buzby's columns appear in newspapers and magazines around the country as well as numerous Web sites. E-mail your comments to jonbuzby@hotmail.com.