By: John Scudella
It is your junior year and it is time to start filming your Virtual Tryout, but you are a little confused as to how to film it and what you should film. Here are a few tips that will make it easier on you and easier on us.
Infielders: Take all your ground balls at short. College and pro scouts want to see your arm strength from across the diamond. Be sure to take at least 10 groundballs directly at you, 10 groundballs to your left, and 10 groundballs to your right. Also, be sure to include at least 5-8 slow rollers, where you are coming in on the ball, fielding and throwing off your left leg to first. Lastly, make sure to turn double plays from both sides of the bag, both throwing and receiving. Stay within yourself, coaches are looking for fundamentals and mechanics not flash.
Outfielders: Make sure that you are in the ready position, as if it was a live game situation. Be sure to give yourself at least 6-8 chances on fly balls hit directly behind you. The same goes for fly balls and ground balls hit to both your left and right. Make at least 4 strong throws to each 2B, 3B, and home. Remember; throw through the cut-off man, no higher then his head, NO LOLLY POPS.
Catchers: Start off by framing 5-6 pitches on each side of the plate. From here move into blocking; balls right at you, as well as to your left and right. Be sure to give yourself enough chances (15-20) for us to edit out balls that get past or bounce awkwardly off your gear. Next, we will move into pops and throws to 2B & 3B. Here we want to make sure you are throwing at least 8-10 down to each base. Finally, we want you to complete mock bunt situations up the third and first baseline. Make sure that you have someone stand directly behind you, rolling balls over your shoulder up both lines.
Hitting: Before you even step in the box, make sure that you are calm, relaxed, and stay within your abilities. Most important, wear a helmet. Keep in mind that we will edit out a balls that you foul off, swing through, or don't put a good swing on. Don't rush, remember there is no time limit, and the more swings the better.
Pitching: Before you toe the rubber make sure that you are warmed up and ready to go. If you can get a catcher in full gear, please do. Start from the stretched and throw 30 pitches, mixing in all your pitches, and giving the catcher and camera a heads up of what is coming. Next, we want to see another 30 pitches from the stretch, and again mixing in all your pitches. Have your catcher work both sides of the plate, and focus on hitting your spots and staying low.
Camera Angels
Hitting:
- If you are a right handed hitter, position the camera 10 feet directly to the right of the plate (vise versa for left handed hitters). Which will allow the coaches to see the hitter from an open side profile view.
- The second camera angle we would like to see is positioned directly behind the L-Screen.
Infield:
- Position the camera directly next to the coach who is hitting groundballs to the student athlete.
- On double plays be sure to have a wide enough camera angle to be able to see not only the student athlete make the turn to second, but also receive.
- The last camera angle necessary is 2-3 feet to the right of the first basemen. This allows the coaches to view arm strength on throws both from short as well as when the double play is turned.
Outfield:
- Position the camera at 2B for fly balls without throws to any bases.
- The second camera angle will be between second base and the mound, allowing us to see balls thrown to 2B.
- The next camera angle will be 4-5 feet up the line at 3B, which will allow us to see the throw coming into 3B from the outfield.
- Lastly, position the camera 2-3 feet left of home plate. This will allow to see the throws coming from the outfield.
Pitching:
- If you are a right handed pitcher, position the camera 5 feet behind the mound and 3 feet to the right (vise versa for left handed pitchers). This will allow the coaches to see you, the pitch, and the location.
- The second camera angle can be positioned to the side of the pitcher depending on if they are a righty or lefty. This will allow the coaches to see your mechanics, and this should be about 5-7 pitches.
- Lastly, position the camera behind the catcher as if it was a view of an umpire. Making sure that the pitcher, catcher, and the location of the ball can be seen.
