Parents, players, fans and relatives are not to approach college coaches at the ball park under any circumstances. Interaction with a college coach by a parent or a player is a violation of NCAA regulations. Our players, parents and other relatives must respect the privacy of the coach and allow him/her to do thier job. If a coach has a question or needs information, NCAA regulations allow them to speak to the travel team coach.
Players in the Thunderbolts organization are not permitted to participate with other teams unless specifically approved in advance by the Thunderbolts Manager. Under no circumstances will one of our players be allowed to participate with another team when the pickup team is entered in the same event as one of our teams. Any player or coach that violates this policy is subject to immediate removal from the program.
The purpose of the Birmingham Thunderbolts Organization is to improve the softball skills of each participant, to teach and exhibit good sportsmanship, to have fun playing softball, and to win as many games as possible. There is no guarantee of playing time during games, but there is much to be gained by the experience.
Never approach a coach during, before, or after a game because tension will be higher at that time. Any comments or complaints should be discussed with the Head Coach only, and away from the ballpark, away from other parents and certainly not where any players can hear the discussion. Coaches will have an open door policy as long as comments and complaints handled appropriately. Any parent or other relative who violates this policy is subject to having their player immediately and permanently removed from the team.
All players and coaches must comply to the following dress code for games. Even if we dont always play our best, we will look like a ball team. This is not an optional policy. Violators may be cut from the program after one warning.
Jerseys: Always must be tucked in while in public. NO TIES IN SLEEVES OR JERSEY BACK.
Sweats: Team issue only, maching sweats, caps, etc. or don't wear them at all
Cleats: Black (with black, white or purple laces)
Knee Pads: Black
Batting Gloves: White, Purple or Black
Sliding Shorts: White if visible
Sweatbands: White, Purple, Yellow or Black
Undershirts: White
Batting Helmets: Team issue, all helmets must match. (no airbrush or decals other than team issued)
Jewelry: None allowed that will be a distraction, per coaches/umpire discretion
Coaches: Shirts must be team colors, alomng with team logo with sleeves and shirt tails tucked in, long or short pants with shoes, no flip flops. Hats must be team issue.
Parents are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that exhibits good sportsmanship and sets an example for their children. Cheering and having fun is always welcome. Parents yelling at players, coaches, the opposing team or umpires will not be tolerated. Coaches are the only people permitted to address an umpire and they will do so at their discretion. From time to time we will play teams whose coaches and/or fans will act inappropriate; we will not tolerate that behavior in our organization. People who are unable to behave themselves at the park and set an example of how to act with class will have their player removed from the team.
Playing time, positioning, batting order, etc. will be at the discretion of the head coach and will not be a topic of discussion with parents. Parents are encouraged to help their daughter improve her skills by working with her themselves or taking her to individual lessons and camps. Playing time and positioning decisions will be based on merit. The coaches reserve the right to remove a player from the roster for the actions of the player's parents if such actions are deemed by the coaches to have a negative impact on the team's overall performance and/or moral.
If at any time a parent feels that their child has been mistreated by a coach, if and only if they have not been able to resolve the problem with their head coach, then they are to contact Richard Shea. Issues such as playing time, batting order and positioning are not open for discussion.
Any coach, player, or parent who posts on public forums should always refrain from making negative comments that can be associated with our teams. If others happen to post negative comments about us, simply ignore it because responding will only escalate the problem.
The Birmingham Thunderbolts are a family oriented organization that is intended to enjoyed by everyone that is involved. Players are expected to always be respectful to coaches, parents, and their team mates.
