Prior to each Spring season, players are evaluated during baseball tryouts on 4 chief baseball skill areas- that of hitting (mechanics and results), fielding (ground balls, fielding fly balls) ,  throwing (accuracy and arm strength) and speed/agility. 

To build league teams of cohesive, like skill players, at each grade division (Senior- 7th/8th, Junior- 5th/6th, and Minors (3rd/4th), JBO teams are further segmented and separated by the relative skill level of their league's players.  These skill levels include Federal (highest level, most skilled players), American (intermediate level and high to very good skills) and National (lowest level and moderate and developing players).

The chief goal in using evaluations as part of Mountainside JBO is to ensure that all players will be fairly and equally evaluated, scored and placed into a level of play that is commensurate with their most current baseball skill set, talent, and overall sport and physical development. The end goal is to nourish a player's confidence level and help them become the best baseball player they can be.  And oftentimes, playing up at the highest level(s) isn't the recipe for that.  Whereas playing at a level that allows optimal growth, playing time, and importantly, that allows them to play more primary positions, is the best path.  

SENIOR Level Evaluations, for ALL LEVELS, will be held on Monday, February 21st, from 12:30-6:00 pm 

Who should attend?   All 7th and 8th grade players that are registered for the 2024 Spring season.  

Location:  Mountainside High School Baseball Field

12500 SW 175th Ave

Beaverton, OR  97007

Time:   TBD

Date:   Feb 17th

Player Time Slot:  Each player will be assigned one of the, 2 hour long time slots the day or so before Evaluations. 

This information will be emailed to all families by Feb 10th,  informing them of their players evaluation time.  Please make sure to arrive during the designated check-in times, before that time slot.  

Check-in:  At least 30 minutes and no more than 45 minutes before the designated time slot

Parents and players are to arrive at the designated drop-off and proceed to the Registration table just inside the baseball field gates for check-in

There will be a booth with sample uniforms, hats, and other merch to try on to record the sizes needed. Other merch will be available for ordering and will need to be paid for at the time of ordering.

Parents will not be allowed to be on the field during tryouts but will be allowed to stay outside the field (even along the field fence) for viewing.

Once checked in, a Mountainside JBO representative will guide the players to an area of the field to begin stretching and warm-ups. 

** Please don't be late, as we will need adequate time to get them registered, try on this year's uniform samples for sizing, and allow for proper warm-up before the start of evals.   

Player Pickup:   Up to 120 minutes after player's assigned time slot.  After the player prospect has completed their evaluation, they can leave for the day.  

What to Bring: Baseball glove, baseball bat, batting helmet and cleats, turf baseball shoes (no metal spikes allowed on the Mountainside turf!)-- remember, it is your job to come prepared! 

What to Wear:  Neutral clothing is required. Players cannot wear clothing that identifies them by name, number, or previous team.  Be prepared for inclement, cold, and rainy weather, and dress appropriately.

KEY TOPICS:

• Ongoing COVID-19 Protocols:
  • Masks are NOT mandatory during player evaluations
  • Families are asked to use common sense when it comes to wearing masks as spectators.     
• Players need to come prepared for inclement weather-- by bringing sweatshirts, and jackets, and to dress appropriately-- as the forecast calls for a high chance of rain and/or cold temperatures.
• Parents and family members will not be allowed access to the turf baseball field.
• Players will only be able to enter the field for their designated evaluation session time.  This would include the 30 mins before to get warmed up
• After evaluations are completed, player pickup will be in the parking lot area of Mountainside High School, near the athletic fields.
• Participation is mandatory to be considered for the Federal and American teams.  No exceptions except extraordinary ones.   There will be 1 makeup evaluation on Feb 20th.  Please reach out to a board member to notify them that your player will need to attend the makeup session and for details. For a player who was evaluated at the Senior level prior and made a team, we may go off that previous evaluation.  

Skills Evaluated:

• Infield Fielding- using solid mechanics to field ground balls and then make accurate, strong throws to a specified base
• Outfield Fielding- using good fundamentals and athleticism to pursue and catch fly balls, then making quality throws back into the infield to a specified base;
• Hitting- using solid hitting mechanics to consistently make contact with pitched balls; show power in the swing and hits
• Pitching - a small bullpen session of up to 15 pitches; to evaluate form, speed, and pitch variety.

These evaluations will go a long way in determining what level our Senior players will play at for the 2024 Spring season.  JBO has 3 chief skill levels- Fed (highest), American (mid) and National.   At this point, we do not know where our teams will land- but generally speaking, a JBO program of our size will have 1 Fed team, 1 American team, with the balance (1 or 2 teams) National level.   An analysis of overall evaluations, metrics, and later conversations with families (for instance, a player who makes Fed team as 12th selection but would rather play American to get more reps) will later determine this-- but our primary goal is to place players where they can be both challenged and successful.  

Remember, evaluations are to take place, RAIN or SHINE.  

Best of luck and Mav Up!

After evaluations have concluded and all players for any particular grade level have been assessed, teams will be formed and families will be notified by the league's President and/or Registrar.  

The Federal teams at all levels will be usually be created and announced first, followed shortly by the American and National squads.  

All team rosters must be coordinated, formed and approved under the supervision of the league's President and any applicable Division Coordinator (where one exists- currently, Mountainside JBO only has a VP-Senior Level) and/or the league's Registrar.

Team assignments are deemed FINAL and cannot be contested except in writing and within 3 days from the team announcements.