Nicholls baseball held annual walk-on tryout Wednesday

The Nicholls State University baseball team held their annual walk-on tryout at Ray E. Didier Field Wednesday.

Although Head Coach Seth Thibodeaux never knows who will stumble onto the mound to tryout, he typically expects anywhere from 20-30 men to make an appearance each year. It’s no simple feat to make the cut, but holding the walk-on tryout is Thibodeaux’s way of making sure everyone gets a chance. Thibodeaux said the only way a walk-on athlete will find his way onto the team is if he is better than someone who is already on the roster.

“It’s hard to make it and it hasn’t been done yet, but you never know,” Thibodeaux said. “The hardest thing for me is to look in a young man’s eyes and tell him he can’t play here. That’s probably the most miserable part of my job.”

The tryout lasts for an hour and a half and consists of various tests in order for the coaching staff to get a good look at the talent of each player. After running a timed 60 yard dash, the athletes get to play in their positions where Thibodeaux determines their arm strength and defensive skills. The men will also practice batting and the pitchers have the opportunity to throw in the bull pen where a radar gun will dictate their throwing speed.

Thibodeaux said the main things he looks out for at the walk-on tryout are athleticism, arm strength and speed.
NCAA regulations allow 27 players of the 35-man roster to receive athletic scholarships. These scholarships are all partial scholarships, and although most of the players on the roster receive some kind of athletic aid, those who do not can sometimes qualify for academic aid. Thibodeaux typically carries a surplus amount of men in the fall in case of injury or other complications. This ensures that he will have 35 men healthy and ready to go for the start of their season in the spring.

Following the tryout, Thibodeaux tries to contact each athlete to provide them with feedback. Although it is challenging to assess the talents of an athlete after just one tryout, Thibodeaux said he is happy to provide everyone with a fair chance.