The North American League has re-scheduled and moved its all-professional-leagues open tryout for free agents and aspiring professional baseball players to on April 15.
This move will combine the San Rafael Pacifics' second open tryout into the largest tryout in the league. The tryout had been previously scheduled for April 22 in Pasedena, Calif.
In addition to the NABL — whose teams employ over 400 professional baseball players collectively — all independent teams in the U.S. have been invited to attend and will have the choice of drafting and signing players.
At the 2011 NABL tryout, 22 players were offered professional contracts, including right handed pitcher Michael Olmsted who received an offer from the Boston Red Sox after impressing team vice president of player personnel, Allard Baird. In addition to the Red Sox, several MLB teams sent area scouts and professional scouts to attend last year's tryout.
This year, the NABL expects to have an equally impressive turn out of MLB scouts and independent league managers, including representatives from the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics and more. Yuma Panthers manager, 16-year Major League Baseball veteran and three-time MLB All-Star, Gary Templeton, will also be in on hand.
All players who registered for the Pacifics' Jan. 22 and March 17 tryouts are invited back at no additional cost for the NABL tryout on April 15. In addition, any player who registered for the April 22 NABL tryout in Pasedena will be admitted, provided the player show proof of registration at the time of check in. All players must RSVP to the Pacifics by phone at (415) 485-1563, or at info@pacificsbaseball.com by 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 12.
All other accomplished players are invited to tryout. But, the Pacifics strongly suggest that prospective players have professional or college playing experience.
To register in advance, click here, or call (415) 485-1563. The registration fee is $100 for players who register in advance, or $150 for those who register the day of the tryout. The original fee for the NABL tryout was $149, however no refunds will be granted.
Check-in begins at 8 a.m. and the tryout starts promptly at 9 a.m., and will be conducted by Pacifics manager Mike Marshall. All players will be required to sign a waiver on the day of the tryout, prior to being assigned an official tryout number. Proper baseball attire is required, and all players must bring their own equipment, including wooden bats.
Major league teams that have requested participation by their scouting organizations are able to sign players at any time during the tryout, and players may receive contracts at the conclusion of the day.
Tryout Info:
Where: Albert Park, 618 B Street, San Rafael, Calif. 94901
Parking: At the San Rafael Corporate Center, located at the corner of Lindaro and Andersen Dr., just across the street from Albert Park.
When: Sunday, April 15.
Start: Check-in at 8 a.m. Tryout begins at 9 a.m.
Cost: $100, Day of Tryout Registration is $150. To register online click here.
Players should bring all necessary equipment for them to tryout, including wood bats.
For more information: Call (415) 485-1563, email info@pacificsbaseball.com, or go online at www.PacificsBaseball.com. Albert Park is located at 618 B Street, in San Rafael, Calif. 94901.
