The RailCats learned from their experience in 2008.
Rainy weather and suspect field conditions forced the cancellation of their annual tryout that season. They spent interspersed chunks of spring training fulfilling a promise to work out interested players, creating a less than ideal situation.
Based on forecasts, the RailCats preemptively rescheduled this season’s tryout to Wednesday from Sunday. It begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Steel Yard with registration at 10 a.m. for a fee of $50.
“We had to make a call,” RailCats manager Greg Tagert said. “It defeats the purpose of trying to hold it earlier before camp really opens. But the tradeoff is, guys can stay around for a second or third look over the weekend.”
All players at the tryout — position players and pitchers alike — will participate in a single session, a change from past seasons that reflects the changing talent level.
Selected players will be further evaluated in the afternoon, with the possibility to be invited back during spring training, including a likely intrasquad game next Sunday.
Last season in spring training, the RailCats looked at three outfielders, two infielders, a first baseman and a catcher from their tryout. But few players over the years have appeared in regular-season games for the team.
Pitcher Dan Soria, an East Chicago Central graduate, in 2003; and outfielder Mike Coles, a Hammond and Purdue product, in 2006 remain the two examples who provide the most hope for participants. Both signed with the RailCats out of the tryout and made the Opening Day roster.
The odds for hopefuls this season could be better than most.
“I’ve been saying, of all the years, if you’re ever going to sign with an American Association team, this is the time to sign with the RailCats,” said Tagert, in his 12th season with the team. “There’s an opportunity to win a job — and not only the 20th, 21st, 22nd spot on the roster.
“There’s an opportunity to win the starting second base job, the starting shortstop job, any of the four outfield spots.”
The RailCats are coming off a 45-55 season, the first sub-.500 record in Tagert’s 20-year career.
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They have 25 players under contract, three less than the league maximum for spring training, with the possibility of adding another one or two before the tryout.
Tagert invited two left-handed pitchers with considerable minor league experience, both continuing recoveries from arm injuries, to throw Wednesday. He also asked three players from March’s multi-team camp in Tennessee to attend the tryout.
Forty players, including 12 pitchers, participated last season.
“There are so many tryout camps now, players are dispersing throughout the country,” Tagert said. “Things get a little bit thinned out. But there have still been some good players the last few years.”
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