GRB-IOWA TRYOUT INFORMATION

Tryouts for players in the 2027-2030 graduation classes are for the 2026 Fall season.  Tryouts for 9U-14U teams are for the 2027 Spring/Summer season.

For GRB-Iowa questions, please call: 515-344-2884 or email kory@grbiowa.com

GRB-IOWA TRYOUT INFORMATION

Tryouts for players in the 2027-2030 graduation classes are for the 2026 Fall season.  Tryouts for 9U-14U teams are for the 2027 Spring/Summer season.

For GRB-Iowa questions, please call: 515-344-2884 or email kory@grbiowa.com

DEVELOPMENT AT ALL LEVELS

GRB Iowa prides itself on developing all players in the program regardless of age level. Our staff of former NCAA D1 coaches/players will oversee the offseason training for each of our players to optimize each individual’s development as a baseball player.

WINTER TRAINING

Winter Training is the life-blood of the GRB Iowa program. Every team within the organization participates in the Winter Training program. Winter Training is designed to advance players by individualizing instruction that is tailored to their specific needs. Not only does GRB Iowa strive to improve mechanics, skill and baseball IQ, but also instill the importance of a player’s ability to have agency in their own development. The Winter Training portion follows a NCAA D1 offseason model of designing and teaching individual routines before putting all players in a challenging environment to optimize growth and development. GRB Iowa team practices are up tempo and efficient; they incorporate individualized skill development before progressing to team-oriented instruction as the tournament season approaches..

Winter Training for youth (ages 9U-13U) players runs from the beginning of December until April, while the high school ages (14U-17U) players practice from the beginning of November until April.

COACHES

GRB Iowa teams from 15u and up will be coached by a non-parent with previous coaching and/or high level playing experience. GRB Iowa teams that are 9u to 14u will be coached by a qualified parent while 15u to 18u will be coached by GRB staff.

RAYS PLAYER PACKAGE INCLUDES

GRB-Iowa prides itself on developing all players in the program at every age level. Players in our program will be given the same coaching and commitment to improve and advance their career – the right training, skill development, advice and recruiting opportunities.

GRB Iowa players who hit and pitch will receive 4 hours of instruction a week while non pitchers will receive 3 hours a week. This will come out to around 35 sessions over the course of Winter Training.

  • GRB Iowa players have access to discounted memberships of 3, 6 or 12 months
  • Youth Players (9u to 14u) will be given full facility access from April through the end of their playing season

Click here to learn more about what a Membership entails

GRB Iowa players have access to discounted bats and equipment from Rawlings, Demarini, Wilson, Nike, Adidas, Louisville Slugger, and more

GRB Iowa high school players all receive recruiting support, advice and input from former NCAA D1 recruiting coordinators Kory Winter and Kirk Clark.

DEVELOPMENT AT ALL LEVELS

GRB Iowa prides itself on developing all players in the program regardless of age level. Our staff of former NCAA D1 coaches/players will oversee the offseason training for each of our players to optimize each individual’s development as a baseball player.

WINTER TRAINING

Winter Training is the life-blood of the GRB Iowa program. Every team within the organization participates in the Winter Training program. Winter Training is designed to advance players by individualizing instruction that is tailored to their specific needs. Not only does GRB Iowa strive to improve mechanics, skill and baseball IQ, but also instill the importance of a player’s ability to have agency in their own development. The Winter Training portion follows a NCAA D1 offseason model of designing and teaching individual routines before putting all players in a challenging environment to optimize growth and development. GRB Iowa team practices are up tempo and efficient; they incorporate individualized skill development before progressing to team-oriented instruction as the tournament season approaches..

Winter Training for youth (ages 9U-13U) players runs from the beginning of December until April, while the high school ages (14U-17U) players practice from the beginning of November until April.

COACHES

GRB Iowa teams from 15u and up will be coached by a non-parent with previous coaching and/or high level playing experience. GRB Iowa teams that are 9u to 14u will be coached by a qualified parent while 15u to 18u will be coached by GRB staff.

RAYS PLAYER PACKAGE INCLUDES

GRB Iowa players who hit and pitch will receive 4 hours of instruction a week while non pitchers will receive 3 hours a week. This will come out to around 35 sessions over the course of Winter Training.

    • GRB Iowa players have access to discounted memberships of 3, 6 or 12 months
    • Youth Players (9u to 14u) will be given full facility access from April through the end of their playing season

    Click here to learn more about what a Membership entails

GRB Iowa players have access to discounted bats and equipment from Rawlings, Demarini, Wilson, Nike, Adidas, Louisville Slugger, and more

GRB Iowa high school players all receive recruiting support, advice and input from former NCAA D1 recruiting coordinators Kory Winter and Kirk Clark.

RECRUITING

The recruiting process is one of the most stressful and challenging times for players and families trying to navigate and make plans for their futures. 

GRB Iowa is different from other programs in the Midwest because our staff has experience recruiting at the NCAA D1, D2, D3 and NJCAA levels. Our network of current college coaches around the country give us the ability to directly communicate with coaches and get their honest feedback. Moreover, our experience will be used to educate families and players on how the process ACTUALLY works, what colleges are good fits for each athlete’s ability, and what the recruiting timelines are based on the player’s age.

YOUTH SCHEDULES

Schedules for youth teams will vary by age. Youth teams will begin tournament play at the beginning of April running through the middle of July. Youth teams will be scheduled to play in 10-11 events throughout the Summer. Teams at the 9U – 11U level will play in regional events in close proximity to Des Moines. Teams at the 12U-13U level will play in select out-of-state events as well as regional play of the younger teams.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES

The schedules for the high school level begins once the Iowa high school season ends. Team practicesl begin in August along with intrasquad scrimmages to allow players to recuperate following the completion of their high school season. Teams play in a local tournament the week before the NCAA recruiting contact period opens up (usually the second week of September) before commencing with their fall tournament schedule (second week of September through second week of October). Teams are scheduled for tournaments in order to have players play in front of college coaches and coaches of programs that fit the skillset of each individual player. Such tournament sites include Kansas City, Marion (IA), Chicago, and Indianapolis. 

High School level teams will play in 6 tournaments over the course of the fall. They will not play tournaments in August to avoid burn out, allow for arms to rest, and give players time to learn team concepts/verbiage in practice settings.

TRAINING AT GRB Academy-Iowa

  • All facility members receive a data-driven initial assessment for throwing and hitting before being provided an individualized weekly program for each. This includes warm up routines, specific constraint drills, built in off days, etc
  • Members are reassessed regularly to adjust development plans
  • Individual and group lessons (members get discounted rates)
  • Velocity, bat speed, catching, infield, pitching, and hitting classes (members get discounted rates)
  • Youth baseball camps
  • Ability to sign up for our PIT strength and conditioning program that includes a S+C coach individualizing programming, overseeing workouts, and tracking progress using VALD technology

RECRUITING

The recruiting process is one of the most stressful and challenging times for players and families trying to navigate and make plans for their futures. 

GRB Iowa is different from other programs in the Midwest because our staff has experience recruiting at the NCAA D1, D2, D3 and NJCAA levels. Our network of current college coaches around the country give us the ability to directly communicate with coaches and get their honest feedback. Moreover, our experience will be used to educate families and players on how the process ACTUALLY works, what colleges are good fits for each athlete’s ability, and what the recruiting timelines are based on the player’s age.

YOUTH SCHEDULES

Schedules for youth teams will vary by age. Youth teams will begin tournament play at the beginning of April running through the middle of July. Youth teams will be scheduled to play in 10-11 events throughout the Summer. Teams at the 9U – 11U level will play in regional events in close proximity to Des Moines. Teams at the 12U-13U level will play in select out-of-state events as well as regional play of the younger teams.

HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULES

The schedules for the high school level begins once the Iowa high school season ends. Team practicesl begin in August along with intrasquad scrimmages to allow players to recuperate following the completion of their high school season. Teams play in a local tournament the week before the NCAA recruiting contact period opens up (usually the second week of September) before commencing with their fall tournament schedule (second week of September through second week of October). Teams are scheduled for tournaments in order to have players play in front of college coaches and coaches of programs that fit the skillset of each individual player. Such tournament sites include Kansas City, Marion (IA), Chicago, and Indianapolis. 

High School level teams will play in 6 tournaments over the course of the fall. They will not play tournaments in August to avoid burn out, allow for arms to rest, and give players time to learn team concepts/verbiage in practice settings.

TRAINING AT GRB Academy-Iowa

  • All facility members receive a data-driven initial assessment for throwing and hitting before being provided an individualized weekly program for each. This includes warm up routines, specific constraint drills, built in off days, etc
  • Members are reassessed regularly to adjust development plans
  • Individual and group lessons (members get discounted rates)
  • Velocity, bat speed, catching, infield, pitching, and hitting classes (members get discounted rates)
  • Youth baseball camps
  • Ability to sign up for our PIT strength and conditioning program that includes a S+C coach individualizing programming, overseeing workouts, and tracking progress using VALD technology

GRB-IOWA PROGRAM FAQS

The GRB Rays staff will begin the evaluation process immediately following the tryouts. Our goal is to extend roster invitations within 24 hours, although some age groups may require more evaluation time. More roster invitations will be extended within 48 hours of the tryout. After the tryout, you will only be immediately notified if you have been invited to join the program. If you would like feedback after your tryout, you may reach out to the Rays staff.

Team fees will be released shortly

We know this is the place to play for overall player development, so we do not give players a strict 24 hours to decide to accept a roster invitation like most programs. Take a day or two to talk it over with your family. If you do decide to play with the Rays, we would appreciate a confirmation within the 24-48 hour window.

We plan to have two teams at each age level from 9u to 17u. We will have 12 players per team ages 9-14u while having 15+ players per team for teams ages 15-17 (some of these will be pitcher only’s)

To ensure all players have an equal opportunity to show their skills to the Rays staff, we will make specific team rosters towards the end of January – early February time frame.

Practices will typically begin the first week of November for ages 14-17 and December for ages 9-13 and will run until the start of the season for the youth teams and the start of the spring season for the older ages. We will take time off the week off Thanksgiving and around Christmas/New Years. Practices are not mandatory, but we strongly encourage all players to attend to get the most opportunity for player development.