Think you have what it takes? Twins want to see

By David Dorsey
Fort Myers News Press

At 8:30 a.m. Saturday, the long shots of the long shots will get a chance to prove they belong in professional baseball.

The Minnesota Twins will hold an open tryout camp for anyone who's eligible to be signed. Any high school graduates, or college juniors who are at least 21 are welcome.

Since 1961, the Twins have held annual open tryouts in Minnesota and, since 1994, they have held one each year at the Lee County Sports Complex in Fort Myers, where Saturday's tryout will take place.

From all of those tryouts, no one has made it to the major leagues out of the camps in Fort Myers, and only three players reached the big leagues from the Minnesota tryout.

Prospects need only to bring a pair of cleats and their own glove. Unlike the minor-league basketball Florida Flame and arenafootball2 league Florida Firecats, who each charge prospects $100 to attend their open tryouts, the Twins don't charge a fee.

"Some of these kids might not have $100, and you would miss a player because they can't afford it," said Twins director of minor leagues Jim Rantz. "Nobody's made it to the major leagues (from the Fort Myers tryout), but we've had guys play as high as Double-A.

"It gives guys a chance to be seen if they didn't get drafted."

Justin Arneson and Chris Brown each took advantage of their chance.

Brown, 22, plays first base and designated hitter for the low-Class A Beloit (Wis.) Snappers of the Midwest League. He signed last year after not being drafted out of Florida Gulf Coast University.

Arneson, 23, plays outfield for the Fort Myers Miracle, the Class A, Florida State League affiliate of the Twins. Rantz signed Arneson after the tryout in Minnesota in June 2002.

Arneson had missed most of his sophomore season at Fergus Falls (Minn.) Community College and, therefore, was not noticed by any major-league scouts.

"Some of the guys who showed up were wearing tennis shoes and tank tops. They had no baseball gear," recalled Arneson. "I gave it a shot anyway."

Arneson ran the 60-yard dash in 6.5 seconds. Then he went 4-for-5, with a home run, two doubles and a single, during an intrasquad game.

"I'm sure that helped out quite a bit," he said.

It did, as Arneson now stands just three promotions from playing in the major leagues.

"First of all, the kid is an above-average runner," Rantz said. "He timed well in the dash. He could really cover the ground well in the outfield. He has an above-average arm.

"When we put him in the game, he had four hits, and he hit the ball out of the park. He had a good day, needless to say."

At Saturday's tryout, prospects will do a variety of drills, depending on their position. Rantz said he expected about 40 players, who would then be divided into teams for the intrasquad game during the afternoon.

Rantz cannot guarantee that he will sign any players from the tryout. Although the Twins signed Brown after last year's session in Fort Myers, they did not sign any players from their tryout in Minnesota in 2004.

"If somebody stands out, they'll be seen by the staff," Rantz said.

Arneson said he will always be grateful for his opportunity.

"It doesn't hurt to try," Arneson said. "If you're good, they'll find you."

What: Minnesota Twins' open tryout
When: 8:30 a.m. Saturday
Where: Lee County Sports Complex
Requirements: Athletes must be high school graduates. College players must be juniors and at least 21 years old. Prospects must bring a glove and cleats. The Twins will provide bats and balls.

BREAKING THROUGH

Since 1961, only three players who the Minnesota Twins signed from their open tryouts have reached the major leagues:

Charley Walters, RHP, 1969
Gary Serum, RHP, 1977-79
Jerry Terrell, INF, 1973-77