Newtown Middle School 7th /8th Grade Baseball Tryout Info
Coach Brainard – 7th
Coach Hansberry – 8th
Here are a few guidelines for trying out for baseball:
 All spring athletes must have completed three things in order to
participate in tryouts:
o Concussion Education Session
o IMPACT Test
o Physical Examination
 If you have not played a fall or winter sport at Newtown this school
year, you need to attend a Concussion Education session from 3:00 to
3:45 p.m. on Thursday, February 20th or Thursday, February 27th in
the auditorium.
 If you have not played a fall or winter sport at Newtown this school
year, you will need to be IMPACT tested. More information about this
will be shared at the Concussion Education sessions.
o Impact Testing Dates: 2 / 25 2 / 26
3/4
3/5
 ALL athletes need a completed Physical Form.
 Mark your calendar for the February 20th and 27th Concussion
Education dates. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE-UPDATES.
Other info regarding physicals:
 If you’ve already played/tried out for a previous sport, all you need to
do is fill out a re-certification form!
 All necessary paperwork is on the NMS website under athletics.
 You MUST have a physical to tryout – NO exceptions!
Tryouts:
 Start date: Monday, March 17th
 Bring glove, cleats, hat, bat, water bottle, old sweats, wind-pants, or ball
pants
 EVERYONE NEEDS TO WEAR LONG SLEEVES!!!
 You must wear a protective cup!!! For your own good!
 Store bat bags in boy’s locker room in closet next to Mr. Brainard’s
office! Throw them in there before school.
 Note - Start throwing the baseball every day, at least a week before
tryouts!
What we will be looking for during tryouts:
 Offensive Skills – hitting line-drives, consistency, power
 Defensive Skills – fielding ground balls, fly balls, arm strength,
knowledge of position, agility, speed, awareness
 Base-running – speed, knowledge of base-running
 Intangibles – attitude, sportsmanship, hustle, effort
What we will expect of you if you make the team:
 You need to attend every practice and game. If for some reason you
cannot be there, you need to take responsibility and notify me the day
before.
 Playing baseball is a PRIVILEGE – not just an activity that you choose
to do. Therefore, you need to perform in the classroom to achieve
playing time on the field. This means staying out of trouble and doing
your best work on assignments.
 Come to practice and work hard EVERY day. Your goal should be to
improve your skills every week. Our goal as a team is to get better
every day. We cannot do this if everyone isn’t on the same page.
 Have fun! Baseball is a great sport. You will have some of the best
times and memories playing America’s greatest pastime!
7th Grade Note:
 This is your first year playing on the “big” field. Get used to throwing
longer distances and start strengthening your arm. Make sure you use
an over the top motion to enable a strong, accurate throw! Good luck!