WHAT IS FALL THUNDER BASEBALL?

Lombard Thunder is Lombard Baseball League’s fall baseball program for our 9U-12U divisions (players who are entering 3rd-6th grade in the ‘22-’23 school year). It is composed of players who want to extend their baseball season and continue to play with like-minded, same grade, competitive teammates, but who do not want the time commitments or cost of a full-time travel team. Lombard Thunder is no longer classified as “part-time travel.” It’s actually quite the opposite! Lombard will host a league in which teams from local towns come here and play every game at home, typically at Sunset Knoll Park.  Last fall we had a 10 week season that included multiple teams from Villa Park, Western Springs, Elmhurst, and Lombard. Our goal is to include even more teams this year. Thunder will only be considered “part-time travel” in the competitive game play sense, and not in actually traveling.

HOW DO I PLAY FALL THUNDER BASEBALL?

In order to play fall baseball, a player must have played in the LBL spring league.  All players who are interested in playing fall baseball must come to player assessments on June 6. The purpose of the assessment is to seek out the players who show aptitude in the areas of fielding, catching, hitting, and pitching and are safe to play on the field without reasonable accommodations. These players will be offered a spot on an existing Thunder team or a newly created team. It will be possible to have more than 1 team per age level depending on the number of players. Players that are assessed as needing additional practice with fielding, catching, hitting, and pitching or who have fear when hitting or catching will be invited to participate in our baseball skill development program known as "Thunder Skills Clinic."

The exact format of “Thunder Skills Clinic” will be dependent on the registration numbers.  The clinic is tentatively scheduled to be 6 weeks long, meeting 2 days per week for 90 minutes each session.  The Thunder skills clinic will cost $75 per player and will include a hat, shirt and field time. 

It is important to note that LBL does not plan to cut any players from fall baseball. We will offer any player who registered and played in the spring in-house season a place to play fall baseball. Lightning players who decide not to continue playing Lightning may also play Thunder baseball.

WHEN ARE ASSESSMENTS?

Date: Monday, June 6

Location: Sunset Knolls - fields 25 & 26

Time: 3rd(9U) and 4th(10U) graders 5:30-7:00pm

          5th(11U) and 6th(12U) graders 7:15-8:45pm

NOTE* GRADES ARE BASED ON WHAT GRADE THE PLAYER WILL BE 

ENTERING IN THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR.

CAN A PLAYER STILL TRY OUT FOR LIGHTNING EVEN AFTER ACCEPTING A THUNDER SPOT?

YES!  If a player is offered a Thunder roster spot, he/she can still try out for Lightning.  The Thunder team will make arrangements to fill that roster spot if that player makes the Lightning team. It is actually encouraged for Thunder players to try out for Lightning.

WHAT IS THE EXPECTED COMMITMENT?

Thunder players should expect to play or practice at least 3 times per week.  For most teams the season will go from August - October.  Official team practices cannot start before July 5.  Families of Thunder players will be required to work at least 1 shift in the concession stand or take the buyout option.

The Thunder Skills Clinic is tentatively scheduled to be 6 weeks long, meeting 2 days per week for 90 minutes each session.

WILL THUNDER TEAMS PLAY IN TOURNAMENTS?

Teams have the option to play in tournaments around the Chicagoland area during the summer months.  It will be up to each team to decide if they want to play in tournament(s) or not. It will be highly discouraged for the 9U (3rd grade) to play in tournaments. If a team decides to play in tournaments there will be additional fees.

HOW MUCH ARE THE PLAYERS FEES FOR FALL THUNDER?

Fee will be $250 per player.  Fees include a jersey, hat, belt, socks, practice time, league play and limited off season workouts.

Skills clinic fee will be $75 per player. Fees include a hat, shirt, and practice time.

For any questions about Lombard Thunder baseball, contact Dan Coulter at coulter16@comcast.net or 630.917.4810