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East Mesa Little League

2023 Spring Tryouts

What are the tryouts and what do I need to bring?

The try-out process for the 2023 Spring Little League Divisions will be held January 23-January 26, 2023 at the Eastmark Ball Fields. Please expect to be at the fields for 1-1/2 to 2 hours. We have grown tremendously in the last few years so we have a lot of kids to get through the tryout process and it may take longer than expected. This is a large task and we will work to get through the process as quickly as possible. Please be patient as we are all volunteers.

Players should wear cleats if they have them. They will also need a baseball glove to complete the tryout. If they have a bat they should bring it. If they don’t have a bat, we will have a few at the field they can use if needed.

Very Important!

All players trying out will need to ensure a copy of their birth certificate, residency verification documents and a medical release are on file or provided online in order to be evaluated.  Players will not be eligible to tryout until those documents are on file.  Please see our Required Documents section for further details.  

When should I arrive?

Upon registration closing on 1/8/2023, we will email a link to select a time for the try-outs for Rookie, AA, AAA and Majors divisions.  Please arrive in enough time to check in and ensure all documents are on file, and to have your player warm up and be ready. If everyone were to come at the same time, then some people are going to wait over an hour before their kid(s) even start the process.

How will the process work?

When you arrive, please check in at the check in table up by the fields.   After being checked in and approved, you will receive a number to wear throughout the tryout. Please proceed to field 1 to warm up, stretch and be assigned a group. The players will be grouped according to their designated evaluation time. At the assigned evaluation time or when requested by the staff member on Field 1, the players will proceed to the third base dugout on field 2 with their group. Please make sure you stay close by so you don’t miss your group.

What do the players do during the tryout/evaluation?

When they go into the dugout with their group this will start their evaluation. They will wait until the group in front of them is ready to hit. Once that group is ready to hit, they will take the field to shag balls. Once the group in front of them is done hitting, it will be time for them to take the field. They will take ground balls at shortstop and throw to the first baseman. They will then take fly balls at shortstop and throw to the first baseman. Each player will get pitches from a pitching machine. After the last pitch, they will run to third base.  Once they complete the activities, they are free to leave.

Does everyone have to try out? What if I cannot attend?

All players registered in the Rookie Division or above, must complete a spring tryout to be eligible to be drafted. If they do not attend evaluations, they will be placed in a blind selection process during the draft and be randomly assigned to teams after the regular drafting has taken place.
Important this year! Due to our divisions being based, as best as we can, on ability, it is paramount that they tryout, AND if your player wants to play up to the next division, they will have to tryout. If the dates and times for your division do not work or if your player is sick or something unforeseen arises, please reach out to the league so we can schedule your player to be evaluated on a different night if possible.

Why do player tryouts at all?

Rookie, AA, AAA, Major and Junior Division teams are formed through a player draft. This is a method where coaches take turns selecting players until all the teams are formed. A player tryout is conducted to assess current performance levels of the players so that coaches can draft teams that are balanced and competitive. The term “tryout” is a formal term, as this is more of an evaluative process and all registered players will be drafted to a team.

Contact Us

East Mesa Little League

Desert Ridge Little League, PO Box 50652
Mesa, Arizona 85208

Email: [email protected]

East Mesa Little League

Desert Ridge Little League, PO Box 50652
Mesa, Arizona 85208

Email: [email protected]
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