Approach

"Our focus isn't on trying to win every game when you're ten, it's on preparing our young athletes to learn to play the game the right way, so they can win more games in high school and beyond."

Overview 

Arlington Heights Thunder Fastpitch is a regional travel softball program made up of athletes from Arlington Heights and surrounding communities. Founded in 2017, Thunder was created to meet the demand for a program that teaches the game the right way — with a focus on fundamentals, development, and love for the sport.

We believe in developing well-rounded athletes. That’s why our program is intentionally designed to allow players the flexibility to participate in other sports and extracurricular activities, while still honing their fastpitch skills in a competitive environment.

Our focus is on continuous player development — instilling strong fundamentals, game IQ, and a growth mindset that prepares athletes for success now and at the next level. 

Thunder is a nonprofit organization where 100% of funds go directly to supporting our athletes. All board and director roles are proudly held by volunteers who are passionate about the mission and the players we serve.


Mission and Goals 

Our mission is to help each athlete reach their full potential—not just as a player, but as a student and young adult. We foster a positive, supportive environment where hard work, resilience, and personal growth are emphasized both on and off the field. Learning to stay focused and optimistic through adversity is a skill that will benefit our athletes far beyond the game.

One of the most unique aspects of Thunder Fastpitch is the strength of our Family culture. We regularly create opportunities for older players to mentor and support younger teammates, reinforcing connections across age groups and teams. This sense of unity is central to who we are—and it plays a critical role in achieving one of our most important goals: building lifelong friendships rooted in teamwork, respect, and shared experience.

Along with our philosophy of helping young athletes reach their full potential, we believe in the following core values that define the Thunder Fastpitch program: 
  • Trust - Thunder earn the trust of their teammates 
  • Honesty - Thunder are honest about their actions (no matter who’s watching) and always strive to do the right thing 
  • Unity - Thunder win or lose together 
  • Need - Thunder do what’s necessary to prepare for every situation, on and off the field 
  • Devotion - Thunder are committed to their team, education, family and community 
  • Effort - Thunder bring full energy everyday 
  • Respect - Above all else, Thunder respect the game 
These principles guide our approach to ensure that our players succeed on and off the field. 

Our 2024 - 25 program includes:
  • Training mid-August --> July 
  • Friendlies plus one or two tournaments in the fall
  • 1x - 2x per week indoor training (mid November - April)
  • Outside instruction for hitting and pitching
  • Friendlies against other local travel teams
  • 4 - 6 tournaments
  • Target goal of 45 - 60 games in total (varies by level)


Bylaws

We invite you to view our organization's bylaws by clicking here.

Board and Officers 

Our Board of Directors and all off-field roles are proudly filled by dedicated volunteers. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, we depend on the generosity of our community—both in time and sponsorship—to support our athletes and ensure a positive, enriching experience for every player.

As the season progresses, we’ll be looking for volunteers to help in a variety of ways, including:

  • Tournament site coordinators and field managers for Thunder-hosted events
  • Vendor and sponsor liaisons for tournaments
  • Uniform ordering and vendor coordination
  • Equipment inventory management
  • Team parents to support coaches with administrative tasks
  • Parent representatives to serve as a voice for each team
  • Board members to help shape the future of our program

Maybe you have ideas for other opportunities? Please let us know by emailing boom@ahthunder.com. 

Here is a list of our current positions: 
 
Board of Directors (volunteer) 
  • President and Treasurer:  Jon Kee 
  • Vice President:  Mike Lindberg 
  • Secretary:  Mark DelBoccio 
  • Board Member:  Matt DeRosa

Directors and Officers (volunteer) 

  • Player Development Director and High School Liaison: Colleen Palczynski
  • Player Development Director and High School Liaison: Jackie Orel
  • Fundraising Director: Scott Kirch 


Code of Conduct 

As an organization, we adhere to the Six Pillars of Character Counts, the gold medal standard for youth sports. Thunder Fastpitch recognizes that youth sports programs should be designed to provide a sporting environment that is safe and fosters the opportunities to have fun, build character, learn and practice sportsmanship and develop skills for pursuing healthy, ethical and responsible adult lives. 

Six Pillars of Character Counts 

It is the responsibility of every teammate, participant, volunteer, coach, trainer and parent to abide by the Six Pillars of Character Counts in all sporting activities. 

Trustworthiness 

It is a goal of Thunder Fastpitch to promote trustworthiness among their board, volunteers, teammates, trainers, coaches, parents and officiating staff by: 
  • Demonstrating and demanding integrity; 
  • Observing and enforcing the spirit and letter of the rules of the game; 
  • Not compromising education and character-development goals; and 
  • Not engaging in or tolerating dishonesty, cheating or dishonorable conduct. 

Respect 

The respect expected in ordinary life in the classroom or at home shall be the norm on the playing and practice fields. Reasonable people have reasonable differences and mutual respect provides the basis of expressing these differences. The coach’s role as teacher is to give clear positive instructions to the players. Parents are expected to respectfully express any alternative views at an appropriate manner and time off the field and away from the participants. It is a goal of Thunder Fastpitch to promote respect among players for the game, for their teammates, for opposing players, for the coaching staff and for the officiating staff through: 
  • Treating the traditions of the sport and other participants with respect; 
  • Not engaging in or tolerating disrespectful conduct, including verbal abuse of opponents, officials, teammates, coaching staff or others, taunting, profane or belligerent “trash talking,” or excessive and unseemly celebrations; and 
  • Winning with grace and losing with dignity. 

Responsibility 

Every parent, player, participant and volunteer or staff member of Thunder Fastpitch is responsible for his or her own words and actions. They will further demonstrate responsibility for the environment by ensuring that the practice fields and game fields are left in a clean and safe manner. Parents are expected to further demonstrate responsibility by having his/her child at practice and games on time and prepared. Players are to be equally responsible for coming to practice and games prepared and ready to participate. Thunder Fastpitch and all of their participants will further pursue the pillar of responsibility by: 
  • Being positive role models on and off the field; 
  • Furthering the mental, social and moral development of athletes and teaching life skills that enhance personal success and social responsibility; and 
  • Maintaining competence including basic knowledge of character building, first aid and safety and coaching principles, rules and strategies. 

Fairness 

It is the goal of Thunder Fastpitch to promote fairness among the players and to provide a fair playing environment by: 
  • Adhering to high standards of fair play; 
  • Treating players fairly according to their abilities; 
  • Never taking an unfair advantage; and 
  • Being open minded. 

Caring 

It is the goal of Thunder Fastpitch to promote caring in the sports environment so as to provide a situation in which coaching, officiating, and parent involvement will demonstrate compassion, sensitivity and volunteerism as a model for team members, including assuring that the academic, emotional, physical and moral well-being of athletes is always placed above desires and pressures to win. Citizenship Thunder Fastpitch is opposed to bullying, hazing, teasing and other conduct that degrades good citizenship. Through the commitment to the Six Pillars of Character Counts, it is the goal of Thunder Fastpitch to promote citizenship among all of its participants such that all team members, staff and parents will act in accordance with the values of good citizenship by: 
  • Avoiding gamesmanship and promoting sportsmanship by honoring the rules and goals of the sport; 
  • Establishing codes of conduct for coaches, athletes, parents and spectators; 
  • Demanding compliance with all laws and regulations, including those relating to gambling and the use of drugs. 


Parental Responsibilities 

Parents and fans of participants in Thunder Fastpitch are expected to be aware of and abide by our mission statement, policies and procedures. Parents and fans will conduct themselves in a civil, responsible, ethical and fair manner. 

Parents and fans will exhibit positive role modeling, will refrain from negative behavior, and will equally support all members of the team. Parents and fans will not engage with umpires, opposing coaches, or opposing parents unless it is in a congratulatory manner. Parents and fans will not engage with players or coaches on social media, GameChanger message boards, or other online channels unless it is in a positive manner nor will they post negative information about the organization or its representatives including players, coaches, other parents, and administrators.

Parents will further provide guidance for constructive attitudes and expectations. Parents will also encourage children to serve as role models in accordance with the Six Pillars of Character Counts. 

Any infraction or alleged infraction of the Code of Conduct should be reported immediately to the team's Head Coach, who will then notify the Thunder Fastpitch President. Infractions will be reviewed thoroughly and penalties will be imposed if appropriate. 

Penalties for such offenses may include:
  • a verbal warning
  • a single game suspension
  • a multiple game suspension 
For extreme cases, immediate and indefinite suspension or expulsion for the participant(s) involved will be considered. Repeated violations by any Manager, player or spectator may require that the individual be removed from the team and/or suspended from future participation. Any player removed from the program will take immediate effect and result in forfeiture of all fees paid for the season.

Sponsorship 

Arlington Heights Thunder Fastpitch is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible. All funds received go to support our fastpitch program, our Board of Directors and leadership are all volunteer members. Generous support from local residents and businesses promotes our mission and directly benefits youth athletics in the community. 

Here are some of the ways to support Thunder Fastpitch: 
  • Support Thunder Fastpitch with a one-time or recurring tax-deductible gift. 
  • Fund equipment or supply purchases.
  • Advertise your business on our website. 
  • Become a tournament sponsor. 
    • Tournament sponsorship may include opportunities for advertising on banners, welcome packets, or tournament awards. 
  • Sponsor team building activities such as Athletes Unlimited games and exhibitions. 
  • Sponsor awards for league and tournament play.