Who Is Thunder?
The Thunder Softball Family is a group of parents, players, and coaches that are dedicated to our TEAM, our softball FAMILY, and to the game of fastpitch softball. We currently have 110 members and our goal is to teach them the fundamentals of the game and ensure their abilities to play it at the highest level.

Where Are We From?
We now have our very own facility in Benton, Arkansas. Our Thunder girls and their families are from Alexander, Atkins, Batesville, Bauxite, Beebe, Benton, Bismarck, Bryant, Cabot, DeWitt, East End/Landmark, Greenbrier, Hot Springs, Jacksonville, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Lonoke, Mabelvale, Perin, Perryville, Pine Bluff, Plummerville, Pottsville, Prattsville, Redfield, Sardis, Sheridan, Stuttgart, and White Hall. Some of our girls drive a long way to practice. We ensure the skills they learn are well worth the time, effort, and cost they put into it.

How Old Are We?
Thunder Girls currently range in ages from 5-15.

Why Do We Do It?
Because we love to practice, we love to play, we love our TEAM, and we love this organization!

What We Want From You?
Our girls would love to hear from you! Please feel free to check our news pages and photo albums for each team. We also welcome you to sign our guestbook.

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THUNDER NEWS

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2012 - USSSA 12u "C" Class World Series Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2012 - USFA 12u "B" Class World Series Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Blue
2011 - USSSA 10u "A" Class World Series Champions - Thunder Y2K
2011 - USFA 10u "A" Class World Series Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2010 - USSSA 9u "A" Class World Series Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2009 - USSSA 8u "A" Class World Series Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2009 - USSSA 8u "A" Class World Series Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Blue
2009 - ASA 8u "A" Class National Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2009 - ASA 8u "A" Class Nationals Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Blue
2008 - USSSA 8u "A" Class World Series Champions - Thunder 99
2008 - ASA 8u "A" Class National Champions - Thunder 99

2013 - ASA 10u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 2002 Black
2013 - ASA 12u "A" Fall State Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Black
2013 - ASA 14u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2013 - ASA 14u "A" Fall State Runner-Ups - Thunder 99 Blue


2012 - USSSA "C" State Champions - Thunder 2003/04
2012 - USSSA "C" State Champions - Thunder 2002 Black
2012 - ASA "C" State Runner-Ups - Thunder 2002 Black
2012 - USSSA 14u "C" State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2012 - USSSA 12u "A" State Runner Ups - Thunder 2000 Black
2012 - ASA 12u "A" State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2012 - USFA 10u "A" State Champions - Thunder 2001 Black
2012 - ASA 14u "A" State Runner Ups - Thunder 98 Black
2012 - USFA 12u "A" State Runner Ups - Thunder 2000 Blue
2012 - USSSA 9u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 2002 Black
2012 - USSSA 10u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 2001 Black
2012 - USSSA 12u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2012 - ASA 12u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2012 - USFA 12u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2012 - USFA 12u "A" Fall State Runner Ups - Thunder 2000 Black

2011 - ASA 12u A/B State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2011 - USFA 10u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2011 - ASA 8u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 2002 Black
2011 - USFA 10u "A" State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2011 - USFA 8u "A" State Champions - Thunder 2002 Black
2011 - USSSA 10u "A" State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2011 - ASA 8u "A" State Runner Ups - Thunder 2002 Black
2011 - USSSA 8u "A" State Champions - Thunder 2002 Black

2010 - USSSA 8u "A" State Runner Ups - Thunder 2001
2010 - USFA 8u "A" State Runner Ups - Thunder 2001
2010 - ASA 10u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2010 - USSSA 10u "A" Fall State Runner-Ups - Thunder 99 Black
2010 - USFA 10u "A" State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2010 - USSSA 10u "A" State Champions - Thunder 99 Black
2010 - USFA 10u "A" State Runner-Ups - Thunder 99 Blue
2010 - USSSA 10u "C" State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2010 - USSSA 10u "C" State Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Blue
2010 - USFA 14u "A" State State Champions - Vertigo
2010 - USFA 16u "A" Fall State Champions - Vertigo (14u)
2010 - ASA 14u "A" Fall State Runner-Ups - Vertigo

2009 - USSSA 8U "A" State Champions - Thunder 2000 Black
2009 - USSSA 8u "A" State Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Blue
2009 - ASA 8u "A" State Runner-Ups - Thunder 2000 Black
2009 - ASA 14u "B" State Champions - Thunder 97

2008 - ASA 8U "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99
2008 - USSSA 8u "A" Fall State Champions - Thunder 99
2008 - USSSA 8u "A" State Champions - Thunder 99
2008 - ASA 8u "A" State Champions - Thunder 99

FASA State/Tournament of Hope is a 100% of the profit benefit fastpitch softball tournament to be held on June 14th - 16th for the victims of the tornado in Moore, Oklahoma in our softball community....Our goal is to raise of $25,000.00 to help the families in the softball community that were affected by the tragic events that occured.
This will be an open class state tournament and the location of the tournament is still to be deteremined but will most likely be in Central Arkansas.  We are contacting several local ballparks and asking for use of the facilities at a discounted price to help us save money that can be donated.  We are asking any umpires that would be willing to volunteer or offer a discount to this benefit tournament in order to raise as much money as possible.  If anyone would like to donate softdrinks, bottled water, gaterade, candy, chips, hamburgers,hotdogs, buns, or any other items, please let us know. We are also accepting donations of softball equipment.  If you have old ball gloves, bats, cleats or any softball equipment that you would like to send to our friends in the softball community of Moore, Oklahoma, we would be very appreciative of it.
For more information please feel free to email Scott Knight at thundersoftballcoach@gmail.com and don't forget to sign your team up today at www.fastpitchamerica.net.

Arkansas Thunder will be conducting the Thunder Softball Bootcamp June 10th thru 27th.  The bootcamp will be open to kids 7 thru 14 years of age.

Defense - 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - at Thunder Field = Odessa Drive, Benton, Arkansas.
Offense - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - Indoor Sports Academy - 201 S. Elm Street, Bryant, Arkansas.

Cost will be $25.00 per day for both sessions or $15.00 per day for one session. No Appointments Necessary!
Instructors:  Coach Scott Knight, Thunder Softball President and Indoor Sports Academy Owner. Dave Thomas - ISA Hitting Instructor and Former High School and College Coach. Chad Knight - ISA Speed and Agility Instructor.

For more information email Scott Knight at thundersoftballcoach@gmail.com.    Lunch and Transportation Is Not Provided.

 

 

Elite Softball Camp
June 10-12 * Grades entering 9th-12th * 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM on the 10th and 11th 9:00 AM - Noon on the 12th. Cost $200.00. 
All Skills Camp
June 3-5 * Ages 11-14 years old * Campers cannot be entering the 9th grade *  9:00 AM - Noon. Cost $100.00.
Lil Bears Camp
June 3-5 * 10 years old and under * 9:00 AM - Noon. Cost $100.00.
Each camper will receive a t-shirt. To register for the camp go to - http://register.myonlinecamp.com/camp.cfm?sport=3&id=32334

Coaches Greg Self, Chris Goodwin and Anthony Bertrand are really working hard to teach these Thunder 2005 girls the fundamentals of the game.  From pre and post game discussions to ISA Speed and Agility and Hitting Practice they are honing their skills to mold them into outstanding players of the game.  They regularly attend Defensive Skills and Drills at Bishop Park with Coach Scott Knight and they are improving more and more each week with lots of practice and hard work.  Good things to come from Thunder 2005.

We also had two of our girls - Madalyn and Korie to attend the Jen Schro Catching Clinic held at ISA in April 2013.  It was a great learning experience for our two 2005 girls and many other catchers around the state.

Border Battles in Conway brought teams from every bordering state to Arkansas and the level of softball played this weekend was amazing to watch.  Major props for Trey Tucker for making this happen for our state.

Anyone that had the opportunity to watch our Thunder 2000 Black and Thunder 2000 Blue teams play in the Championship game had to be impressed.  Congrats to Black for going undefeated and Blue for 2nd place against most of the best teams in the region..... very impressive and thanks for representing Thunder in an incredible way!

Thunder 99 Black took 3rd place in 14U and the competition was loaded as well.... these girls may not be happy with 3rd place but, our coaches and parents know we are champions and your heart is undeniable!

Several other Thunder teams had great weekends as well.  Props to Thunder 99 Blue on their best weekend of the year....Thunder 2002 did some great things against some great teams..... and props to Thunder 2003 for taking 2nd place at Burns Park.

Thanks for REPRESENTING!!!!

Everyone please remember Coach Scott in your prayers.  He has some decisions to make and we all need to back him with our support and pray that God helps him to do what it is that he needs to do.

Thunder 2000 Black travel to Henderson Texas April 12-14th and win the Wild West Shootout!!!!!

Please remember Coach Nakeya Ailsworth and his daughter Zanyah "better known as Z" of our Thunder 2001 Blue team.  They just received news that Coach Nakeya's sister has passed away.  Please wrap this family in your love and pray for comfort and peace that only God can give at this difficult time.   

April 20th-21st, Thunder 2000 Blue traveled to Franklin, Tennessee and finished 2nd in the USFA Mid South Challenge, falling to Tennessee Lady Lightning 2-0 in the final.  There were 5 states represented in the tournament and again 2000 Blue represented themselves and the state of Arkansas very well.  I am especially proud of this team battling through some adversity with injuries.  Hoping the past weekend of rest will allow us to get health and give us our full strength for the first time this season. - Coach Chad Withers.

On April 13, Thunder 2000 Blue played up in 14U USSSA Triple Diamond at Jacksonville and finished 3rd.  Our girls competed with some of the best 14U teams in the state and represented themselves very well.

The Thunder 2005 team is looking for new players.  This little team has really improved since practice started for the 2013 season.  They regularly attend Speed and Agility Training at the Indoor Sports Academy and utilize the Defensive Skills and Drills with Coach Scott Knight at Bishop Park on Wednesday nights.  They have practiced hard and they are improving more and more each week.  This team is coached by Greg Self and he is looking for girls that love the game and want to be the best players that they can be.  For more information, call Greg at 501-909-2405.

Congrats to the 2002 Black Team for taking the Championship in Texarkana April 13, 2013!!!!

Congratulations to the Thunder 2002 Black for taking 1st Place in Sheridan, Arkansas.......They showed total team effort and lots of defensive highlights!!!! When those bats get hot, this team is as good as any!

                                                                                                                       A big congratulations goes out to the Thunder 2001 Blue Team!  They played in the Teeter Classic Tournament in Malvern Arkansas April 26th and 27th gave an awesome display of teamwork with great defense and offense.  This is their first championship this season but, certainly won't be their last.

Beginning April 24, 2013, Coach Scott Knight, BSA Player Development Director, will be holding Defensive Skills and Drills every Wednesday night at Bishop Park on Field 3.

*No Appointment Is Necessary.
*Player Equipment Needed: Glove (required) and Defensive Mask (strongly recommended).
*Cost is only $5.00 per person per practice.

7-10 years old - 6:00-7:30 p.m.  -   11-16 years old - 7:30-9:00 p.m. 

We would like to invite any player and any coach on any team to Bishop Park every Wednesday night for a quality practice at a very affordable price.  For more information please email Coach Scott at thundersoftballcoach@gmail.com.

Since this week is Benchmark Testing, all practices this week will conclude at 7:00 each night and all defensive skills and drills at Bishop Park are cancelled this week as well.

Indoor Sports Academy (ISA) and Bryant Softball Association (BSA) have partnered to offer the youth of Arkansas an opportunity to receive quality training four nights per week at a very affordable price! $5.00 per player per practice.

Your choice(s) of training every Monday through Thursday.

Speed and Agility Training at ISA (Boys and Girls)
Hitting Skills and Drills at ISA (Boys and Girls)
Defensive "Softball" Skills and Drills at Bishop Park Field 3

7 and 8 years old -     6:00-7:00 P.M.
9 and 10 years old -   7:00-8:00 P.M.
11 years old and Up - 8:00-9:00 P.M.

For more information email thundersoftballcoach@gmail.com

 

From time to time we get letters from Thunder families, friends, and fans asking for their prayers. We are sure that most people reading this site gets prayer request from their friends and family.

We will now post any prayer request on the Thunder site so more people can help us during troubled times. You will see a tab to the left on the home page of this site and we encourage you to visit it daily so we can all help each other through the grace of God.

If you would like to ask for a prayer request to be posted on our site please email it to Coach Scott Knight and it will be posted within 24 hours.

God Bless You All!

Our Thunder teams have certainly got off to a good start for the 2011 season and we hope that everyone will keep up with all of our Thunder teams on their news pages on the left menu of this site.

So far we have updated each team and are very proud to say that after two weekends of play we have brought home four first place finishes, one second place finish, and one third place finish.

Be sure and read all about each team by visiting their home news page on this site. We will update weekly and hope you enjoy watching each team progress throughout the 2011 season!

Go Thunder Family!!!!!

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