A Decade of Rochester Lightning... Thank You!

Ten years.

It's hard to believe that what started as an idea has turned into a decade of memories, friendships, a few championships, learning opportunities, and experiences that have shaped not only young athletes but also me as a coach, mentor, and leader.

After 10 years of blood, sweat, and tears, I've made the difficult decision that it's time to close this chapter of the Rochester Lightning organization.

This wasn't an easy decision.

When Rochester Lightning began, there simply weren't as many opportunities for girls to play competitive softball in our area. We wanted to create an organization that gave players a chance to develop, compete, and grow both on and off the field. Looking back, I'm incredibly proud of what we accomplished together.

Over the past decade, hundreds of athletes have worn the Lightning jersey. Together we've celebrated a few tournament championships, league championships, incredible individual accomplishments, college commitments, unforgettable games, and countless milestones. We've also experienced disappointments, adversity, and several learning opportunities that ultimately made us stronger. Through every win and every setback, our players learned resilience, accountability, teamwork, and what it truly means to represent something bigger than themselves.

One of the things I'm most proud of wasn't measured by wins and losses. It was the culture we worked so hard to build. We believed in playing Smart Softball, understanding the game, competing with passion, respecting our opponents, and doing the little things the right way. Those lessons were always meant to prepare our athletes for lifelong after the final out.

Beyond our teams, Rochester Lightning became part of the softball community. One of the accomplishments I'm most proud of was the Safe at Home Tournament. What began seven years ago during the uncertainty of the COVID pandemic with just eight teams grew into one of our area's signature summer events. This past weekend, as we hosted 19 teams in what would become our final tournament, it was a reminder of just how far we had come. The tournament was never just about competition; it was about creating opportunities for athletes to play the game they love, bringing families and communities together, and celebrating the sport that has given so much to all of us. Watching so many organizations, coaches, players, and families come together year after year has been one of the greatest blessings of this entire journey.

Behind every season were countless hours that many never saw: late nights building schedules, planning tournaments, fundraising, recruiting coaches, answering phone calls, solving problems, and doing whatever was needed to give our athletes the best experience possible. It wasn't always easy, but it was always worth it.

Today, the softball landscape is much different than it was ten years ago. There are now many outstanding organizations throughout our area providing excellent opportunities for young athletes. I truly believe there is a place for every player to continue developing, getting quality instruction, and finding the right fit for their journey.

For a while, I considered scaling back and simply having one team this upcoming season. However, after a great deal of thought, I realized it was time. Sometimes the hardest decisions are the right ones. I'd rather step away knowing Rochester Lightning made a lasting impact than continue simply because it's difficult to let go.

To every player who ever wore a Rochester Lightning jersey, thank you. Thank you for your effort, your commitment, your passion, and for allowing us to be part of your softball journey.

To every parent who trusted us with your daughters, drove thousands of miles, volunteered countless hours, fundraised, helped at tournaments, and believed in what we were building, thank you. This organization would never have existed without your unwavering support.

To every coach who dedicated your time, knowledge, and heart to helping our athletes grow, thank you for investing in these young women and making them better players and better people.

To every Rochester Lightning Board Member, past and present, thank you for your leadership, your countless hours behind the scenes, your ideas, your sacrifices, and your commitment to making this organization what it became. Your work often went unnoticed, but it never went unappreciated. Rochester Lightning would not have reached ten incredible years without each of you.

To our sponsors, tournament partners, umpires, volunteers, community supporters, and everyone who played even the smallest role along the way, thank you. Every contribution mattered.

A very special thank you to Lauren Chamberlain, Monica Abbott, Taylor Edwards, Sis Bates, Ali Aguilar, and Kendall Wells for taking the time to train, inspire, meet, and pour into our Rochester Lightning players and so many other softball athletes throughout the Rochester and NY Softball community. Your willingness to share your knowledge, your experiences, and your passion for the game created memories that will last a lifetime. You reminded our athletes that greatness isn't just measured by accomplishments on the field, but by the impact you make on others. Thank you for loving on our Lightning family and helping inspire the next generation of young women.

Rochester Lightning was never just about softball. It was about being part of a family, embracing our community, creating opportunities, building confidence, developing leaders, teaching life lessons, and giving young women a place to compete, belong, and grow. It was about celebrating each other's successes, supporting one another through challenges, and building relationships that extended far beyond the softball field. The uniforms, the wins, and the championships were memorable, but the friendships, character, and sense of community we built together will always be the true legacy of Rochester Lightning.

While this chapter comes to an end, the impact will continue through every player, every family, every coach, and every memory we've shared over the last decade.

As I close this chapter, I do so with a full heart. Rochester Lightning will always be one of the greatest blessings of my life. Thank you to everyone who believed in the vision, supported the mission, and helped create something that was about so much more than softball. I hope every player who came through our program carries a small piece of Lightning with them, on the field, in the classroom, in their careers, and in life.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in this dream.
It has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

Once Lightning, Always Lightning. 

🏆 Rochester Lightning Softball – 2025/2026 Season Tryouts! ⚡

We're entering our seventh season and more excited than ever to welcome new athletes into the Rochester Lightning Organization! This year, we’re offering competitive team opportunities for both 14U and 16U age brackets.

Our program is built on the core values of:

• 🔹 Skill Development

• 🔹 Character Growth

• 🔹 Teamwork

• 🔹 Family & Community

Teams will be formed by the second week of August, so we can hit the ground running for the 2025/2026 season!

Age cutoff: September 1st, 2025 – make sure to check your eligibility!

📍 Ready to join? Registration is live now – look to the right side of the welcome page to sign up!

Let’s make this season our best yet –See you on the field! ⚡🥎

Register here

By request of a few families and players due to conflicts, Rochester Lightning will be holding an additional 14u Tryout on July 31st, 2024 at Gates Chili High School. Arrive at 5:30 pm for registration, 6pm-7pm will be tryouts depending on the number of attendees.

We also have a spot open on 16u Blue and 16u Gray for a Pitcher. Please feel free to join tomorrow night as well.

Look forward to seeing everyone there!

Please take the time to register using the link on the right side of the home page.

The Rochester Lightning Organization would like to thank you for all of your support for this years Woodcliff Raffle. As an organization, we sold 1,599 tickets for a total of $7,995. The players, coaches, and families thank you for supporting The Rochester Lightning for their upcoming season. All the winners are posted below.

1st Place Winner (Woodcliff Package): Carla Guisto

2nd Place Winner (Ravenwood Golf Package): Bette Pilecki

3rd Place Winner (Nintendo Switch/Mario Cart): Kathy Arnault

4th Place Winner (Ring Doorbell/Echo): Phil Schawn

Thank you again for all of your support and check out our schedules to catch us at a field near you!!

The Rochester Lightning 16u battled all weekend during "Softball Showdown" Tournament to ensure themselves a spot in the finals versus a very competitive Victor Vipers Gold team. Although they came up a bit short, the Rochester Lightning 16u  made great strides over the weekend both on and off the fields. Congrats girls and keep up the good work!!

Go Lightning!!

Rochester Lightning 14u Blue Crowned Champions at 2020 Webster Summer League

Back to Back Weekends, The Rochester Lightning Organization takes home a championship. This weekend our Lightning14u Blue competed this weekend in the Webster Xtreme Tournament. They played six games over the weekend finishing with a 6-0 record and claiming the tournament Championship. Not only did these girls accomplish the goal of winning a championship, this is their first championship of the 2020 Season!! Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing rest of the season!!

The Rochester Lightning 16u Blue team competed this weekend in the "Safe at Home" Tournament. They played five games over the weekend finishing with a 3-1-1 record and claiming the tournament Championship. Not only did these girls accomplish the goal of winning a championship, they are the first team in our 4 year existence to win a championship. Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing rest of the season!!

The Rochester Lightning 14u Blue battled all weekend during "The Safe at Home" Tournament to ensure themselves a spot in the finals versus a very competitive Lady Lions 14u team. Although they came up a bit short, the Rochester Lightning 14u Blue team made great strides over the weekend both on and off the fields. Congrats girls and keep up the good work!!

Go Lightning!!

The Rochester Lightning 16u Blue team competed this weekend in the 28th Annual Midlakes Tournament. They played six games over the weekend finishing with a 3-2-1 record and claiming 2nd place. Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing rest of the season!!

The Rochester Lightning 16u Blue team competed this weekend in the 2019 Homerun Softball Pre-4th of July Tournament. They played six games over the weekend finishing with a 4-1-1 record and claiming 2nd place. Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing rest of the season!!

The Rochester Lightning 16u Blue team traveled to Hershey Park this weekend to compete in the March Madness Tournament. They played four games on Saturday finishing with a 2-2 record and claiming 3rd place and earning a berth to USSSA Nationals. On Sunday, the team celebrated with Jolly Rancher and their plaque at Hershey's Chocolate Factory. Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing season!!

Rochester Lightning 14u Crowned Champions at 2018 Webster Summer League

The Rochester Lightning 14u team competed this weekend in the 2018 Victor Summer Classic Tournament. They played six games over the weekend finishing with a 5-1 record and claiming 2nd place. Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing rest of the season!!

The Rochester Lightning 16u (Carr) team traveled to Hershey Park this weekend to compete in the March Madness Tournament. They played four games on Saturday finishing with a 2-2 record and claiming 3rd place and earning a berth to USSSA Nationals. On Sunday, the team celebrated with their plaque at Hershey's Chocolate Factory. Great job ladies!! Looking forward to an amazing season!!

The Rochester Lightning Fast Pitch Organization has partnered with Big City Sportswear and we have made the decision to give back to those who suffered losses at the hands of Hurricane Irma. The E.G. Force Fast Pitch Organization (in Florida) is currently raising funds to help other softball families who were victims of Hurricane Irma. Although we didn't reach our goal, The Rochester Lightning Organization raised $400 to help those that suffered losses at the hands of Hurricane Irma. Thank you to all who supported The Lightning Organization and this cause!! Your support was greatly appreciated!!

On February 13th, 2017: Seven of our Rochester Lightning 14u Members traveled to Skidmore College to train with Jennie Finch, The Skidmore Softball Team, and The Skidmore Softball Coaches. They learned a lot from everyone involved and are looking forward to sharing that knowledge with the rest of the team.

Special Thanks to Jennie Finch and Skidmore College Softball for an amazing day!!!

1. “This game is about the long run. LIFE is about the long run. Pick successes that can build your confidence over time and stay in the process. There is always light at the end of the tunnel, but you can’t see the light if you fall into the trap of all the failures trying to pull you down.”

2. “Take it one pitch at a time. Take it one day at a time.”

3. “The majority of players have to learn to be confident, just like players have to learn to throw a ball. It’s a process and it gets stronger the more it’s practiced. Even if you have to fake it to practice it, fake it until it becomes real. You WILL start to believe it.”

4. “ANYONE can be on a team, but NOT just anyone can be a loyal leader who people look to and who rises above all the negativity and drama.”

5. “The true definition of confidence has nothing to do with other people who surround us and statistics on a sheet of paper.  The only place that confidence comes is from inside YOU.  Yes, you. Our confidence belongs to us, no one else.”

6. “Every morning we wake up we have a choice at how we are going to believe in ourselves.  Too easily we forget, especially when we are in the middle of a whirlwind of a season, that every day we wake up is a new day, and you have a choice every morning if and how you are going to believe in yourself.  You own that belief.  No one else does.”

7.“When you take the field or look at yourself in the mirror, YOU must be the one to believe that YOU are meant to do great things. YOU get to show everyone what you are made of and your love for the game.”

8. “Realize this: We aren’t going to be perfect with our outcomes/results, in this game of failure we call softball. However, every time you are in a pressure situation it’s a chance to prove that you’re in the “perfect” frame of mind. The “success” and “failure” comes from being in the right frame of mind and giving yourself a chance to have success when the big moment comes; it doesn’t always necessarily come with the outcome, despite what all eyes watching might think. Results will come once the frame of mind has been altered.”

9. “The only way you won’t “make it” is if you don’t have passion for something and don’t work hard enough at it – with all my heart I believe that. When you have passion for where ever your heart wants to take you, it drives you, it gives you direction and it gives you momentum.  Let your passion push you to your dreams. Your passion is the driving force behind your energy and motivation.”

10. “Passion creates work ethic.  Work ethic creates possibilities.  Possibilities creates happiness.”

"We are not a team because we play together. We are a team because we respect, trust, and care for each other both on and off the field."