Tryout for the Lightning
2010 / 2011 Season

                  Why Play for the Lightning?

The New Lenox Lightning is one of the finest fastpitch softball organizations in the Midwest, and we are committed to developing student-athletes to their fullest potential.

Leadership and Organization
We have decades of experience teaching the mechanics and skills necessary to play the game at the highest level.  Under our guidance our coaches are trained in the fundamentals that we have learned and developed over a long time coaching fastpitch softball players.  We also work with our players at every age level so that fundamentals and skills are consistently taught throughout the program.  You won't find the inconsistencies in teaching and development found in other programs that have numerous teams with parent coaches who have vastly differing abilities to teach and coach and sometimes very little experience.  We sometimes get players who grew up playing for these teams, when they realize that they need to work on their game, or are not getting the recruiting assistance needed.  Too often, we find that they come with poor skills and fundamentals, because they were not taught at younger ages.  It takes a tremendous amount of work to undo the bad habits and replace them with better mechanics so that we can get the player positioned to be more recruitable.  Lastly, we have no kids of our own playing travel fastpitch any longer (they have moved on to college) and we do not make any income from this... our only purpose is to pass on what we've learned and help young athletes be their best and accomplish their goals.

Player Development
The Lightning are well respected for teaching great fundamentals and mechanics to our athletes. We practice year round, including in our Winter Training Warehouse.  The warehouse is an outstanding training facility and includes a fully equipped infield with two full size batting cages, (click on the link above to see pictures and for more information).  We are able to practice live arm hitting  and defense in a fully netted and gymnasium style padded wall environment.  Additionally, we work with some of the finest trainers, Olympians and coaches available.  We spend a good deal of time working with college coaches and our US team / Olympic coaches to ensure that our training techniques and drills are in line with what is being taught at the highest levels.  We would be happy to provide you with references from some of the finest College coaches in the country. 

Highest Level of Competition
The Lightning teams play in class "A" tournaments. Our older teams are focused on qualifying and competing in the ASA National Tournament.  Our philosphy is "you have to play the best, to be the best".

College Exposure
The Lightning are committed to getting their players exposure and recruited. Our 16U, 18U and Gold teams play in the best exposure tournaments in the country, including the the Louisville Independence Day Tournament in Boulder, Colorado, and the Batbusters Fall Tournament in California, in addition to Compuware, the Hawks, Sparks and St. Louis Exposure tournaments. We work with our players to help them in their college recruitment, and through our extensive network of universities and coaches, have been able to place 100% of our players with collegiate teams. Compare that to many of the other programs and teams where only the top few players get recruited and the rest are left to fend for themselves.  So no matter where you would like to play from the PAC 10, Big 10, ACC, Big 12, SEC, to the MAC, MVC, IVY, GLVC , and many, many more, we can call a coach and talk about our players with them because we know these coaches personally. There are only a few organizations that do as much in the interest of their player's development and future as the Lightning.

Cost
The Lightning are hands down the best value for softball training in the region.  Not only are our costs 1/2 the price of comparable organizations, but we provide so much more in regard to instructors and facilities for player development.  Additionally, there are no restrictions on tournament entries imposed on our teams.  This past year our players received: 
 1.  Slapping Instruction (6 weeks)- Liz Jageliewski (Bouck) DePaul University
 2.  Catching Instruction (10 weeks)- Sarah O'Malley-Fisher U Illinois Chicago
 3.  Defensive Instruction - Kate Drohan Northwestern University
 4.  Hitting Instruction - Caryl Drohan Northwestern University
 5.  Slapping Instruction - Larry Ray University of Arizona
 6.  Speed ,Agility and Strength Training 
 7.  Defensive Instruction - Angel Santiago Florida State, Mark Doran Diamond.
 8.  Pitching Instruction - Ali Aguilar Haehnel Concordia University.

We also help our players with placement with private instructors for pitching, catching and hitting.

   2011 Tryout Schedule   

 For Inquiries or a Private Tryout,
  please contact Jim Abbott (708) 805-5195
 Private Tryouts & Inquiries will be held in Confidence
 Location: Lincoln Way West H.S.

We have Openings on ALL Teams at Every Age Group
Team Date Time
10U Sunday, Aug 8th
Monday, Aug 9th		 9:00 AM
5:30 PM
12U Sunday, Aug 8th
Monday, Aug 9th		 10:00 AM
5:30 PM
14U Sunday, Aug 8th
Monday, Aug 9th		 11:00 AM
7:30 PM
16U Sunday, Aug 8th
Tuesday, Aug 10th		 Noon
5:30 PM
18U Sunday, Aug 8th
Tuesday, Aug 10th		 1:00 PM
7:30 PM
Gold

 

 Must Contact Jim Abbott (email Registration Form) or call
(708) 805-5195

Sunday, Aug 8th
Tuesday, Aug 10th 		1:00 PM
7:30 PM

 

Training Warehouse
Fully Padded and Netted Indoor Practice Facility Winter Practice is Where Players are Made... where do you practice? Join the Lightning, train hard and you can accomplish your goals... Cait and Caryl Drohan from Northwestern conducting camp for the Lightning. Just one of the many coaches and universities who help us develop our players. There is no better training and player development organization anywhere. 18U Gold 2008 NAFA National Champions!!! The Lightning Raise Money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund. Thanks to these great teams for participating in the event: Joliet Express, LT Blazers Morris Magic, Munster Magic, Munster Muddawgs, Illinois Angels, New Lenox Lightning, Northern IL Thunder. Special Thanks to Yvette and Matt Hodges of the 14U Krumreich Team for organizing the event.
2011 Coaches

10U - Rick Tucker
12U - Tim Windt
14U - TBA, this will be a 13yr old team
14U - Tom Gerdes, Alicia McKendry
16U - TBA
18U - TBA
Gold - Jim Abbott, John McKendry

 

You have the information. Why not come to our Tryout and see if We are a good fit for You.  Perhaps you would like to be a part of something Special...
                                            

     

The Lightning GOLD team!

For the elite player looking for the best competition or exposure opportunities.  This team will compete in the ASA Gold division, sector qualifiers and attend several exposure tournaments during the Fall and Summer.

For the Elite Softball Experience !!
 
   Click Here for Information about our GOLD Team

If you are interested in being a part of a team which is committed to proving that some of the best players in the country come from the Midwest, in becoming a better player, being recruited or preparing for collegiate play... Please contact Jim Abbott if you are interested in trying out for the Gold team.

 

A Few Words About Tryouts
1.  Be sure to ask a lot of questions, and attend a couple of tryouts before making your team decision.  A trend for a couple of organizations is that they take everyone who shows up at the tryout and will make several teams at the same age group from these players.  Many of the teams are formed without even having coaches in place to take the team.  Consequently, not all of these teams are going to be at the same level of ability or competitiveness, receive the same support or coaching from the organization.  These organizations are more focused on getting high numbers of players in so that they maximize their revenue.  We take the approach that we would rather have fewer teams and spend time really teaching the game, practicing great fundamentals and developing competitive teams so that our players are well prepared to play at the next level.   The problem is that many players, especially the families that are new to travel, do not become fully aware of the impact of these arrangements on their daughter's development until it is far to late.  We simply recommend that you want to be sure that the organization and team are a good fit for you and your daughter and can meet your goals. 

2.  During the tryout, don't worry if you make a mistake or don't hit every ball.  There are many factors that go into player decisions.

3.   Everyone at the tryout is feeling a little nervous, so try to relax and do your best.  We really appreciate you taking time to come to our tryout.

4.  Even if we don't have a spot for you on one of our teams this year, we are more than happy to help you find a team that would be a great fit for you.

5.  Don't underestimate the importance of your team decision for your young player.  The habits and mechanics developed at 10's, 12's and 14's will be carried with her throughout her playing time and are critical to her future success.  So if it means driving a few minutes farther to practice with a good fundamental team, it is well worth the effort in the long run.

6.  Be wary of any promises of playing time and positions.  If you are being promised something, another player is also probably being promised something as well.  The reality is that travel teams are competitive, and playing time and positions are earned.  What you really need to know is to what extent the organization and team will go to ensure that every player is getting playing time and being developed.  On some teams, a player may sit several games in a row, or an entire weekend without playing.