Minor League Baseball/MLB tryouts

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Expert: Tom O`Leary - 5/29/2009


Question
Hi,

I wanted to tryout for the pros but didn't know if I was too old or not.  I probably won't tryout til next year and I'll be 29 by that time.  I'm a lefty pitcher and have been practicing pretty much everyday giving it my all to be better.  Anyhow, my question is do you know how I could improve on my control and speed of my pitches? Also, do you know of some good workouts/stretches I can do with my arm to warm it up more before I pitch?  I just really want to get prepared for tryouts next season.  I appreciate any advice you can give me.

Thanks,

Brian

Answer
Brian,

there's no age limit for the tryouts.

you can improve on your control by practicing, which is free and/or you could hire a pitching coach. you can improve your speed slightly by getting your body in shape. any large book store should have several books in their sports section about getting in shape. any of those books should answer most if not all of your warming up issues. good luck.

tom

Minor League Baseball

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Tom O`Leary

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I am am best suited to answer questions regarding minor league baseball prospects.

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Originally, i started doing this because I became engrossed researching prospects for a fantasy league. Back then all I really wanted to do was answer questions about baseball prospects. Funny how time flies but eleven years later I have been asked questions regarding the negro leagues, what minor leaguers get paid, why players don't rub their injury when they get hurt, and how players can tryout for the minor leagues to name only a few. I was recently in correspondence with a father of a marine who lost several fingers while in Iraq; he was later drafted by the Padres and is playing in their minor league system. Additionally, i get a lot of questions from guys asking me if i think they can be successful at these tryouts or if they should tryout at all. I do my best to answer every one's question without overstepping my bounds of knowledge. *sometimes i have to tell people that I just can't answer their question.* And sometimes I have to tell people that they just aren't good enough to be a professional ball player.* Most recently i have received two negative feedbacks from people who didn't like my response. one 30 year old guy who hadn't played since he was a teenager asked me if he really had a shot at making the tryouts. realistically, i said no. i guess he didn't appreciate my bluntness but what would you have wanted me to say? I am not really an 'expert' in anything. I just answer people's inquires, give some conservative advise or tell them 'I don't know.' After eleven years I have realized that i do fulfill most most questioners satisfactorily which keeps me doing this.

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