The 16U Thunder continues the process of refining players’ skills to prepare them to play at a high level. This is done through high-quality; intensive instruction throughout the winter and by playing a highly competitive summer schedule that includes games against the best local and regional teams as well as local, regional, and national tournaments. In some cases, the team will compete against some 17/18U teams in mid-week games and tournaments to insure that we are playing the best competition possible. Since we expect players to be fully committed to their high school teams, there is no formal team activity between mid-March and the end of May/early June.

SELECTION PROCESS
The Thunder 16U program generally holds open tryouts in August for the following Spring/Summer season. All players, regardless of whether or not they have been prior Thunder players, are required to tryout. Some prior year players will be asked to return, while some others will not. Tryouts are a two-day process. The first day is a normal tryout format, with players demonstrating their individual fielding, throwing, running, and catching skills. The second day, candidates are broken into two teams and play an intrasquad scrimmage. This allows the coaches to see how a player’s skills and attitude translate on the playing field. In addition to the open tryout format, candidates may be asked to play Fall Ball or attend winter workouts before being offered a roster spot on the team.  Additionally, we are always contacting local coaches to recruit players who would be a great fit in the Thunder Baseball program.

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR IN OUR PLAYERS
The 16U roster is comprised of a combination of players we have developed in the program and talented newcomers. The program is geared to focused and gifted baseball players that share the same characteristics as our other Thunder players. We will attempt to build a balanced roster, and will manage playing time in the best interest of both the player and the team. Players (and parents) must understand and accept their roles within the team context. This team will play or practice at least 4-5 days per week during the summer. Rosters will carry anywhere from 15- 18 players. We will keep some players in pitching-only roles.  This team is primarily for players who have completed their sophomore and/or junior years and who either have already reached the Varsity level as a starter/full time player, or project to in the following year.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT AS A 16U THUNDER PLAYER
The 16U Thunder season runs from June to the beginning of August. The schedule includes a mix of mid-week local and regional games, along with local, regional, and national tournaments. There will be considerable travel, both mid-week to games throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and on weekends to tournaments throughout the East Coast. The 16U Thunder aspire to travel to top events along the Eastern United States. It is a high-exposure tournament travel program designed to test the limits of individual and team talent, commitment, and abilities.

• The 16U Thunder is a high intensity program for players who are full-time Varsity starters or project to be next season.
• Roster is comprised of players who have completed their junior year and achieved the Varsity level as starter/full-time player, or who have completed their sophomore year and project to achieve that level next season.
• Practices are held indoors during the winter (one during the week and one on the weekend). Players are expected to attend practices unless they have a conflict with an event at their high school.
• Beginning in June and continuing into August, the team will begin a 4-5 day per week schedule that includes practices, mid-week local and regional competition, and local, regional, and national tournaments. We will play in events that we consider to be extremely challenging and that offer our players a high level of exposure.
• We expect all players to be fully committed to the Thunder program. We do not recommend playing for other teams as it is not feasible to do so from a time and health standpoint.
• Each player’s playing time will come at positions that our coaches project the player to play in college.