Players ages 7 to 12 are selected through tryouts. Thunder teams compete in local and regional tournaments at the USA Softball B&C levels.

Summer

• Teams are formed from the players on the recreational teams after a tryout in late April.  Teams will play four-weekend tournaments in June and July.  No tournaments will conflict with the end of the recreational season.  Summer Thunder teams usually practice 2-3 times per week: two weeknights, plus on Saturdays, when not playing a Alta Vista Elementary fields.  Fees depend on the number of tournaments and can run between $200 and $500. The league decides the number of tournaments in consultation with the coaches and parents.

Fall

• Teams for 10U and 12U are formed separately, and those teams play from late August through the end of October.  Fall Thunder fees are typically lower because the teams play in fewer tournaments. This is an excellent experience for players moving up to the subsequent division to get early experience playing with the new rule sets they will have in the Spring Rec season.

THUNDER TEAM SELECTION PROCESS

• An evaluation team will select the main body of the Thunder Travel Team(s). The coach is part of the evaluation team, along with other coaches, board members & appointees. At least one member of this selection team will be someone who did not observe the girls during the season, so they would have to depend entirely on the tryouts for rating purposes. The girl's play during the spring season will also be considered.

• The girls will be given various drills to rate throwing, catching, hitting, fielding, etc. They are rated on each skill & those ratings are used to select the team.

• After forming the teams, the head coach suggests assistant coaches and managers, who will need board approval.

• First and Second teams

• An initial team will be formed with the ~12 top-scoring girls. A second team will be formed if there is enough interest and coaching.

• If a player has been selected to play on the first team, they cannot opt to instead play on the second team. If they do not want to "make" the first team, they must communicate their wishes on the application for consideration.

THUNDERBOLTS

The BHGS Thunderbolt program is for players ages 7 to 12 are participate in the Thunder tryouts. Those players who want to develop their competitive skills are eligible for Thunderbolts. Thunderbolt player will practice two to three times a week. Will play either single or double-header games and may play and end of the season tournament.