2026 COMPETITIVE TRYOUT PROCESS
March 1, 2026
1. Objective:
a. The objective of the try-out process is to identify players that will contribute to the success
of the Arrows program at each level based on their current, and projected skillset.
b. Try-outs are conducted fair and honestly. Try-out scores and comments are
inputted into Baseball Canada’s player evaluation tool.
c. All player information and data Is treated with utmost confidence.
d. Player(s) results or rankings will not be discussed with anyone outside of the
Evaluation team.
e. Evaluators will not discuss with a player their ranking or possible placement with a team
during the try-out process.
f. Players will be selected and offered placement on teams according to their skill level
and the needs of the team. Example, if a coach plans to have twelve players, the top
12 may not necessarily be selected. If that team requires a specific position, then a
player ranked lower may be selected. This will require justification in writing to be
submitted to the Arrows Coordinator for approval and possible debriefing.
g. All competitive teams are required to be selected no later than 15 May to allow players
that don’t make a competitive team be available for balancing within their home
association. If weather conditions prevent this from happening, then the Arrows
Coordinator will request extra time through the President who will either approve or
obtain Board approval.
h. If the head coach is a parent, and their own athlete's evaluation would place them in
the bottom third for that team's selection, then that team will be required to select
one additional player. *This does not apply to the 18U AAA program as they carry a
larger roster or a team that did not have a coach at the time of selection and a parent
was chosen from the selected group of athletes.
2. Outline:
a. Try-out Committee - The try-out committee will consist of the Arrows Coordinator and the
AAA coaches as well as two non-coaching members with try-out experience. The
DDMBA President may choose to be involved.
i. Arrows Coordinator- Is responsible for the try-out process. They will ensure that
the processes detailed within the document are adhered to. They will also
identify any questionable player selection and require the Coach(es) making the
selection justify their selection.
ii. Head Coach AAA Team - Will be responsible for the overall running of the tryout
for their age group. This will include:
1. Attending ALL Stages of the evaluation until ALL Arrows teams are
selected.
2. Arranging and scheduling evaluators,
3. Arranging and scheduling on-field help,
4. Determining the skills/drills for the stage 1 skills evaluation
5. Creating “teams” for stage 2 Phase 3 games in accordance with the
procedures of this document,
6. Ensure that evaluation data is provided to the Arrows Coordinator for
input into Baseball Canada’ Player Evaluation tool.
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7. From the evaluation data select the Arrows AAA team.
iii. Head Coach AA Team (if named) - Will be responsible for the following:
1. Attend Stage 2 evaluation sessions until all Arrows teams are
selected. (Stage 1 is recommended but not mandatory.)
2. Help the AAA coach with the above.
3. From the evaluation data select the Arrows AA team.
iv. Head Coach A Team(s) (if named) - Will be responsible for the following:
4. Attend Stage 2 evaluation sessions until all Arrows teams are
selected. (Stage 1 is recommended but not mandatory.)
5. Help the AAA coach with the above.
6. From the evaluation data select the A team.
v. On-field Help - These positions can be known Assistant coaches, parents, and/or
volunteers. They will be responsible for:
1. Stage 1 - Running the drills/stations arranged by the AAA coach.
2. Stage 2 - Running the on-field portion of the games ensuring the
pitching and hitting schedule/rotation is followed.
3. Note - Since these individuals will not be involved in the evaluations,
there can be different people for each session.
vi. Evaluators - These are the most important positions of the try-out process;
therefore, they MUST ENSURE the evaluations are conducted fairly and
honestly. Evaluators will be responsible for:
1. Stage 1 - At least 2 evaluators required for each station. One may be a
coach but at least one is required to be impartial/neutral to maintain
the integrity of the evaluations. The evaluators need to remain at the
same station for the entirety of the evaluations if possible. This will
enable consistency is the evaluation scores between groups.
2. Stage 2 - The evaluation teams at this point will be evaluating the game
play of each player. As per above evaluators will be assigned in the same
manner. Each pair should evaluate 1 area of the game to enable more
consistent data. As the games progress, the Head Coach(es) may have
specific areas to concentrate on.
b. Stages:
vii. Stage 1: East Hants Dome May 2nd, The Bat Cage May 3rd (Mismuster- East Hants 11
April 11th, Bat Cage April 28th)
viii. Stage 2: Game play
3. Try-Out Process: 11, 13 and 15U will adhere to this process. 18U may vary. The process for each
of the stages will be broken down as follows:
a. Stage 1 - Indoor skills evaluation.
i. The Tryout committee will establish the evaluation required for each age
group.
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ii. Players will be arranged in groups alphabetically from the registration list by the
Arrows Coordinator.
iii. Evaluations will take place at the East Hants Dome and the Bat Cage.
iv. Drills will be setup by the Coaches to evaluate the player’s abilities. Skills to be
assessed at the East Hants Dome include:
1. Timed speed drill
2. Agility drill
3. Infield ground balls
4. Outfield ground balls
5. Fly balls
6. Throwing mechanics
v. Drills to be assessed at the Bat Cage include:
1. Hitting
2. Pitching and Catching
From the evaluations gathered during stage 1 and inputted into Baseball Canada’s Player
Evaluation tool, players will be grouped together according to their Stage 1 ranking as they
progress into Stage 2. Stage 2 has three phases; the phased approach will allow for player
movement during stage 2 and players can move both up and down throughout the
process.
Please note: In large groups of 90 or more players, players ranked 90 or above during stage
1 evaluations will be released back to their home associations for either Association level A
team consideration based on Stage 1 evaluation data which will be provided to the
Association President or recreation level balancing. This approach will help to ensure the
safety of the participants and allows for a manageable number of athletes during Stage 2
so we can provide accurate and fair assessment of the athletes during each phase of stage
2. All information with respect to Stage 2 participation will be posted on DDMBA’s website
on Monday, May 4th.
• Age groups with smaller numbers may move directly to Phase 2-Game Play -of Stage 2.
b. Stage 2 (Three Phases)
Throughout all three phases of Stage 2, all aspects of game play and player ability will be evaluated on field.
Phase 1(90 athletes approx)
i. In age groups with large numbers (90), players will be grouped according to
their Stage 1 assessments. Group 1 (1-25), Group two (26-58) and three (59-91)
Phase 1 may consist of onfield drills and modified game play.
ii. Group 2 will participate first on Tuesday May 5th, after evaluations are
submitted, upto 10 players from Group 2 will advance to Group 1 for further
onfield assessment and modified game play on Wednesday, May 6th. The
remaining players will move to Phase 2, game play, on Friday, May 8th.
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iii.
Group 3 will participate in onfield assessments and modified game play on Wednesday, May 6th. Once evaluations are complete, upto 10 players may be selected to join the remaining players from group 2 for game play on May 8th. The remaining players will be released at this time to their home associations for A or recreation level consideration.
Phase 2- Game Play
i.
Levels of play that have a smaller number of tryout participates, may move directly to Phase 2. One of the main considerations when selecting Phase 2 teams is to ensure each team has balanced pitchers and catchers.
ii.
Phase 2 begins on Thursday, May 7th with the Top 24 players remaining from Group 1 Phase 1 workouts. The top 16 players after Phase 2 will advance to Phase 3, the final evaluation for AAA on Saturday May 9th. The 8 players released from Group 1 phase 2 will be released to Phase 3, final selections AA on Sunday, May 10th.
iii.
The remaining 45 players from Groups 2 and 3 will participate in game play on Friday, May 8th with the top 6-7 players advancing to Phase 3, Final evaulations , AA on Sunday, May 10th.
Phase 3 - Final Selections
i. Phase 3 begins with final evaluations for the Arrows AAA teams on Saturday, May 9th with the final 16 players. When the 12 players are selected for the AAA team, the 4 released players will be offered positions on the respective AA teams.
ii. On Sunday, May 10th the 8 players released from Group 1, Phase 2 and the top 6-7 players remaining from Group 2&3 game play will participate for
remaining 8 positions on the AA teams. The 9 players released from this phase will be offered positions with the Arrows A level team should the Arrows offer A level programming, otherwise these players will be
directed to their Home Association for A level.
iii. Additionally, upto 18 of the top remaining players from Group2&3 game play will be invited back for A level evaluations on Sunday May 10th. The top 3 players will join the 9 players released from AA to form the Arrows A team should it be offered. Otherwise, they will be directed back to their home
association for A level or recreation balancing.
Iv. All tryout information from this phase will be shared with the associations
to either directly form their A teams or aid in their decisions.
4.
Summary: The try-out and selection process is the most important process in the selection of
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our Arrow’s team. With that, it is also the most visible and scrutinized portion of the season. That is why the process must be followed, it is meant to protect the process, the players and the coaches/Arrows. This process will continue to allow the coaches to be actively involved in the evaluation process and the selection of their own team.
Stephan Handerek
Arrows Coordinator