Join the roster
Tryouts happen during our regular weekly practices. Practice with the team, get real reps in a live environment, and earn a spot on the roster — by appointment only.
Tuesday Practice
By AppointmentHeidelberg Field #4
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Heidelberg-Davis Sports Complex, near Cheney Stadium, Tacoma. Full practice with hitting, defense, and live game situations — tryout players work alongside the team.
Register to reserve your spot — by appointment only
Thursday Practice
By AppointmentHeidelberg Field #4
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Heidelberg-Davis Sports Complex, near Cheney Stadium, Tacoma. Second weekly session — great option if Tuesdays don't work, or come to both to get a full look.
Register to reserve your spot — by appointment only
How the appointment works
Register below and Coach Baines will confirm which practice night works best, send field details, and share what to expect. Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for check-in. Bring your player ready to hit, field, throw, and compete — you'll get real reps in a live practice environment.
Rain, lightning, and inclement weather
Practice goes on rain or shine. Pacific Northwest weather is part of the deal — we'll play through light rain. But player safety always comes first, so here's exactly how we handle weather calls so families aren't left guessing.
Decision by 3:30 PM
Coach Baines makes the final call at least 2 hours before the 5:30 PM start time. We monitor NOAA and the field conditions all afternoon so we can give you the most accurate read possible.
How you'll hear from us
If we cancel a practice, you'll get notified through three channels at the same time:
- An email to the address you used to register
- A text message to your registered phone number
- A banner on the top of spsteelheads.pplx.app
If you haven't heard from us by 3:30 PM, assume practice is on.
Lightning protocol
If lightning is detected within 10 miles during practice, we clear the field immediately and pause for at least 30 minutes after the last strike, per Metro Parks Tacoma policy. If we can't safely resume within 45 minutes of the start time, we'll roll your tryout to the next scheduled practice night.
Rescheduling
If your appointment night is canceled, we'll roll it forward to the next available Tuesday or Thursday practice — no need to re-register. Coach Baines will confirm the new date by email and text. If the makeup doesn't work for your schedule, reach out and we'll set up an individual look.
What to bring
- Glove, bat, and batting helmet (we'll have loaners if needed)
- Cleats and turf/running shoes
- Team-neutral athletic wear — no need for gear yet
- Water and a light snack; practice runs the full two hours
- Catchers: bring your own gear if you have it
- A great attitude and a willingness to compete
What to expect
Your player joins a live team practice — hitting, infield and outfield defense, throwing, catching, and situational reps. Coaches are watching for athleticism, coachability, and effort — not just who's the biggest kid on the field.
Every player gets real reps and a fair look alongside our current roster. We'll follow up with each family directly after the practice.
Rising 9U players
Our roster is built for the 9U division. In travel baseball, age divisions are set by a birth-year cutoff — a player is "9U" if they will not turn 10 before May 1 of the playing season. For our inaugural season, that generally means players born on or after May 1, 2015.
Not sure if your player fits? Reach out — we're happy to check eligibility and talk through the right division for your family.
Fees & Scholarships
$440 for the full season — paid as a $150 deposit after your tryout plus $290 before the season starts (lump or monthly). See the Costs page for the full breakdown.
Cost should never keep a kid off the field. Need-based scholarships of 25%, 50%, or 100% are available with no paperwork required — just a private conversation with Coach Baines. Learn about Steel Access →
Tell us about your player
Send the details below and Coach Baines will reply with your appointment date, field details, and next steps. (Submitting opens your email app.)