Softball Tryout Evaluation Form

This evaluation form covers six core skill areas that apply to all softball positions. Print it directly or copy to a spreadsheet for digital scoring. Rate each player 1-5 using the rating scale definitions below to ensure consistent evaluation across all coaches.

A six-category form isn't always practical. When you're evaluating 80 players in two hours for recreational league drafts, you need something faster. A simple three-category form can effectively sort players for team balance.

When Simpler Works Better

Recreational leagues and house league drafts benefit from a simpler evaluation approach. You're building balanced rosters, not scouting elite talent. Three categories—Hitting, Fielding, and Attitude—provide enough data to build fair teams without overwhelming volunteers.

Simple forms also reduce evaluation fatigue. When coaches evaluate dozens of players on six categories each, scores drift as attention wanes. Fewer categories mean more reliable ratings throughout your tryout.

When to Expand Your Evaluation

Travel ball and select programs need comprehensive assessment. When roster spots are limited and player development is the focus, detailed evaluation pays dividends. Six or more categories help identify specific strengths, highlight development areas, and provide meaningful feedback to players who don't make the team.

What you look for in an 8-year-old should differ significantly from what you evaluate in a 14-year-old. Little League research shows(opens in new tab) that at younger ages, "a player's willingness to have fun and be a good teammate will far exceed physical talent." Adjust your evaluation focus accordingly.

8U-10U: Character Over Current Skill

Young players are still developing basic motor skills and coordination. At this age, watch for coachability and effort rather than polished technique. Does the player track the ball into the glove? Do they hustle on every play regardless of the outcome? Are they attentive during instruction?

A player who listens, tries hard, and stays positive will develop faster than a talented player who tunes out coaches or gives up after mistakes. Weight your evaluation toward character and softball IQ at these ages.

12U-14U: Adding Position-Specific Assessment

By 12U, players show real differentiation in skills and physical development. You can start evaluating position-specific abilities: quick hands for middle infielders, arm strength for outfielders and catchers, pitch recognition at the plate.

Balance current performance with development trajectory. A player with excellent mechanics but average power may outperform a strong player with poor swing technique as both mature. Look for the fundamentals that predict future success.

Recommended Evaluation Weighting by Age

Green indicates highest priority for each age group. Adjust based on your program's specific goals and competitive level.

Pitching in softball differs fundamentally from baseball. The windmill delivery, underhand release, and unique pitch movement require specialized evaluation criteria. Catchers also face distinct challenges receiving rise balls and blocking drop balls.

Evaluating Windmill Pitchers

Start with mechanics. A sound windmill delivery begins with proper body alignment, continues through a full arm circle, and finishes with a consistent release point. Watch for balance throughout the motion, hip drive toward home plate, and follow-through that doesn't pull the pitcher off-line.

Velocity matters, but control matters more—especially at youth levels. A pitcher throwing 45 mph with consistent strikes will outperform one throwing 55 mph who walks half the batters. Evaluate strike percentage before evaluating speed.

Pitch variety becomes important as players advance. Rise balls, drop balls, curves, and changeups each require different grips and release adjustments. Note which pitches each pitcher commands well and which need development.

Evaluating Catchers

Softball catchers need strong receiving skills to handle rise balls that jump and drop balls that dive. Framing pitches—keeping borderline strikes in the zone—can add runs to your season. Watch how catchers set up, receive pitches, and present the ball to umpires.

Blocking wild pitches and passed balls keeps runners from advancing. Pop time to second base matters for controlling the running game. But perhaps most important is game management: does the catcher communicate with the pitcher, know the count, and make quick decisions on bunt plays?

Structure matters. When players know where to go and evaluators know what to watch, you get cleaner data and faster decisions. Here's how to set up stations that test each skill efficiently while keeping players moving.

Preparation: Before Players Arrive

Meet with your evaluation team to calibrate scoring. What does a "5" look like in hitting? What separates a "3" from a "4" in fielding? When all evaluators share the same mental model, your ratings become consistent and comparable.

Set up stations before players arrive. Test any pitching machines or soft toss setups. Ensure you have enough evaluation forms, clipboards, and pens for every evaluator. Small preparation prevents big delays.

During Tryouts: Station Rotation

Assign specific evaluators to specific stations. The same person rating all players on hitting creates consistency that multiple evaluators cannot match. Write scores right after each player rotates out—waiting even five minutes lets details blur together.

Add brief notes alongside numeric ratings. "Quick hands, needs work on outside pitch" tells you more than a "3.5" rating when you're reviewing players later. These notes become invaluable when comparing players with similar total scores.

After Tryouts: Making Decisions

Compile scores and look for patterns. Which players impressed multiple evaluators? Where did evaluators disagree? Disagreements often reveal players worth discussing in more depth.

Weight categories based on your team's needs. A team with strong pitching might prioritize hitting; a team with offensive firepower might prioritize defense up the middle. Tools like Striveon make this analysis faster by digitizing your evaluation process and calculating weighted scores automatically. See how digital evaluation simplifies tryout analysis.

Sample Station Schedule

Example schedule for evaluating 40 players in 2.5 hours with 4-5 evaluators.

Your evaluation data is only valuable if you act on it. Use your scores to build balanced rosters and create individual improvement goals for each player. Learn how to track athlete progress from tryouts through the entire season.