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How to Become a Minor League Baseball Player

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Many young men dream of becoming professional baseball players, but not all are drafted or signed into the major leagues right away. Most of the time, baseball players have to play for a minor league affiliate team before they are able to land on the roster of a major club. To become a minor league baseball player, you will have to attend a major league tryout camp, and then be assigned to a minor league team--minor league teams do not hold tryouts.

Wait until you are at least 16 years old to try out--only prospective players at least 16 years of age are allowed into tryout camp.

Download the tryout waiver from the Major League Scouting Bureau's website before attending tryouts. If you are under 21 years of age, your parents or legal guardians must also sign the waiver.

Decide what position you want to tryout for. Even if you play more than one position, you will be required to pick your best one at tryouts. You will only be considered for the one position you list on your registration card.

Visit the Major League Scouting Bureau's tryout camp information page to see when tryouts will be held. Several tryout camps are held each year, and you may have to travel to one if there aren't any being held in your city or state; travel expenses will be your responsibility.

Purchase your own hat, cleats, glove and baseball pants to try out in. The only equipment provided at the tryout will be bats and balls. If you are a catcher, you may bring your own catching gear, though it is not required that you do so.

Attend another tryout camp if you are not signed to a team after the first time you try out. You may attend as many tryout camps as you wish, free of charge.

Tip

There is no fee to attend tryouts, and there is no way to preregister--registration cards are only handed out 30 minutes prior to the tryout start time.

References
Resources
Tips
  • There is no fee to attend tryouts, and there is no way to preregister--registration cards are only handed out 30 minutes prior to the tryout start time.
Writer

Melinda Gaines has been a freelance writer since 2006, with work appearing online for YellowPages and other websites. Her areas of expertise include business, beauty, fashion and sports. Gaines attended the University of Houston where she earned a Bachelor of Science in sport administration.

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Alika Jenner/Getty Images Sport/GettyImages