Trying out for a team can put added pressure on kids. Many youngsters feel they have to play above and beyond their usual skill level to impress the coaches enough so they can make a roster.

But third-year Phenix coach Dane Jorgenson said coaches usually have one thing in particular they look for in players.

“You look for a very good athlete, one who can play different positions,” he said.

And next Saturday when the Lawrence Phenix Girls Fastpitch teams hold softball tryouts at Holcom Sports Complex, the coaches will keep that in mind as they evaluate players from the 10U to 18U divisions.

Jorgenson’s daughter, Kaitlin, 12, has played with the Phenix for the past three years, playing mostly catcher and shortstop. She said she had a vivid memory of when she first went to a tryout with the hopes of making the team.

“I was sort of nervous because I didn’t know what team I was gonna be on,” she said. “I was just nervous in front of all the people watching me.”

But being nervous didn’t stop Kaitlin from making the team. Her tryout success was something she took pride in accomplishing.

“I felt good that I was able to play on a team,” she said. “I hadn’t played softball before, I played baseball.”

Now that she has adjusted to softball, Kaitlin said her versatility had proven to be beneficial over the past few Phenix campaigns.

“I basically like every position,” she said. “I like playing outfield and catching pop flys, shortstop and picking up grounders, and catcher blocking skipped balls, I like to get those,” she said.

This year, the Phenix organization will hold two clinics at Haskell Stadium before the tryouts so the girls can brush up on their fundamentals.

“The more you see a player, the more you know about them,” Dane Jorgenson said.

While Kaitlin won’t try out for a team, having already made the roster a few years ago, she will be offering words of encouragement to those who are trying to earn a roster spot.

“I compliment people and show them where to go,” she said. “I tell them, ‘Good job,’ and “Nice try.'”

The Phenix teams finished their seasons last month, with many of them playing in national tournaments.

But just as things have ended, it all starts again for the Phenix with the tryouts.

For those fortunate enough to make a roster, they won’t have much time off in the coming year.

Some of the Phenix teams will begin practice for early-season tournaments later this month, while other players will take on double duty competing in junior high sports.

All of this seems like quite a lot of work and commitment, but Kaitlin added that playing sports almost year-round was something she enjoyed.

“It’s fun to play a lot of games,” she said. “We get to hang out a lot.”