CALIFORNIA THUNDER 18 GOLD (VAN KIRK): Welcome

FlyerPage1
WELCOME to the THUNDER 18 GOLD WEBSITE

 

California Thunder is a reputable and competitive travel ball program that competes at the highest level!!!

The CALIFORNIA THUNDER was revitalized in Fall of 2001 by Organization  Manager and Coach Valerie Van Kirk, former Cal State Fullerton NCAA National Champion, who grew up and played in the San Gabriel Valley.  We compete, train, prepare physically and academically for the requirements of Division I softball. Valerie was also recently hired as a representaive at EM Speed and Power Training in Rancho Cucamonga  http://emspeedtraining.com/. You can contact her at valerie@emspeedtraining.com.

Our focus includes all Major 18 GOLD SHOWCASE TOURNAMENTS to provide the players with the MAXIMUM EXPOSURE to display their talents. Forty-eight (48) players from Valerie's team alone have moved on to play and start on collegiate teams throughout the country on both academic and athletic scholarships at all levels Div I, II, III, NAIA and on JC scholarships. The majority of which have started at Division I programs (Please see our "About US" and "Alumni" pages for the link to the list.) We also conduct our training at EM Speed and Power Training.

* Our remaining Winter schedule for 2010 includes: 2-Surf City Showcases, America's Finest Showcase in Escondido and the Gold classification Tournament!!!

* Our confirmed summer schedule will include: Surf City Summer start up Showcase, Boulder, Co. Independence Day Showcase, Las Vegas JO Classic, American Pastime Memorial Day Tournament,  Champions Cup and all Gold Qualifiers. We are also being considered as a team in contention to qualify for So Cals Premiere Fastpitch Tournament in August 2010.

See our Roster page for Profiles of our coaching staff.
  See the "About Thunder or Alumni" pages for some Thunder history.  Skills videos and personal player profile websites are available for all Thunder players, please click the "Skills Video Link" on the menu bar.

Thank you for your interest in the THUNDER organization and we appreciate the support from all those who are assisting these athletes pursue their dreams in athletics and academics.


NewLogo
Valerie Van Kirk- (909) 851-3595 VvanKirk@aol.com

Saturday, April 19
CALIFORNIA THUNDER TEAMS

18 Gold- Joe Vargas- (626)922-9433
Vargas.four@verizon.net
http://www.eteamz.com/californiathunder/

14u- Jerry Chavez- (626) 290-4891
Bruinblue1015@yahoo.com
http://www.eteamz.com/CalThunder96/

14u- Bob D’Agostino- (909) 896-8124
CalThunder95@yahoo.com
http://www.eteamz.com/CalThunder95/

12u- Anna Getherall-Hubert- (626) 625-6462
CalThunder97@gmail.com
http://www.eteamz.com/calthunder97/



Contact Valerie at EM Speed and Power Training

valerie@emspeedtraining.com


EM
EM

Links to Skills Videos for Unsigned Players- CLICK HERE!

Please click the "SKILLS VIDEO LINK" on the menu to access a list of players with skills videos available online for your viewing!!!

Videos are available for the following players:

Alyssa Ramirez- (2009) 3b/2b/OF

Andrea Chavez- (2010) SS/2b/OF 

Amanda Clark- (2010) 2b/SS 

Marissa Hiller- (2010) P/3b/1b

Vanessa Molina- (2011) OF/Slapper

Samantha Nieves- (2011) SS

Jordan Sauceda- (2011) P/1b/OF

Thank you for your interest in our program!

 

Videos soon to be posted:

Hayley Wade- (2011) MI/OF

Jackie Carlin- (2011) C/3b/OF

Chelsea Espinosa- (2011) P/3b/1b/OF

Ciera Henson- (2011) OF/2b

 



Sunday, September 27
Thunder 2009- Fall Record

Worth/Wicked Fall Kickoff: 3-2  (Top Performers: Hayley Wade and Chelsea Espinosa)

  • Greta start... we will get better!!!

RR Gold Showcase: 3-1-1  (Top Performers: Jordan Sauceda and Marissa Hiller)

So Cal's Finest Fall Kickoff: 5-0 (Top Performers: Kelsey Barak and Sam Nieves)

  • Outstanding weekend, we hit we pitched and played flawless defense.

Surf City Fall Showcase: 2-3 (Top Performers: Taylor Schmidt and Vanessa Molina)

Surf City Oktoberfest: 2-5 (Top Performers: Jordan Sauceda and Jackie Carlin)

  • Record does not reflect our performance. We played some close games, but did not have timely hitting or hit to our potential!!!

America's Finest Showcase: 3-2 (Top Performers: Jackie Carlin and Kelsey Barak) 

 

Surf City Pre-Thanksgiving Showcase: 4-2-1  (Top Performers: Chelsea Espinosa and Ciera Henson)

  • Great weekend we hit the ball a ton!!!

Worth Tournament of Champions: 2-3  (Top Performers: Andrea Chavez and Marissa Hiller)

  • Tough three games Sturday with 7 players missing and 5- 14u kids filling in.

American Pastime Tournament: 0-4 (Top Performers:  NONE)

  • SWEPT fo the first time Thunder History!!! We did not hit, pitch or play defense, thus the outcome! We had more errors than hits and runs combined. Good time to take  a rest... we have been playing hard and well all Fall. Time to bulk up for winter... increase the roster to 15. See you in December!!! Welcome the new faces.
  • Despite the outcome of this weekend, we are very talented, athletic and strong!!! We have shown that all season. The way we play the game seperates you from others. Your skill, the way you do things and what you bring to the table gets you to the D-I level.
  •  EM training through the break will have you more prepared for the remainder of the season.

 



Saturday, October 18
2009/2010 Schedule

FALL/WINTER 2009/2010  

NOV. 15- Dec. 5th, 2009       THANKSGIVING-OFF              

DEC. 6, 2009                      PRACTICE/Tryouts  9 am @ South Hills HS

DEC. 13, 2009                     Team Xmas Party TBA

Dec. 20, 2009 Practice       PRACTICE/Tryouts  9 am @ South Hills HS

Dec. 21-Jan 3, 2010           OFF-XMAS VACATION

Jan. 6, 2010                        Wed. Practice @ Covina Park or EM 

JAN. 8-10, 2010                  Surf City Winter Showcase (confirmed Friday games) 

Jan. 13, 2010                       Wed. Practice @ Covina Park or EM 

JAN. 16-17, 2010                 Gold Classification

Jan. 20, 2010                       Wed. Practice @ Covina Park or EM 

JAN. 23-24, 2010                 America’s Finest City Winter Showcase-Escondido (confirmed)  

http://www.sdrenegades.org/Showcase/Showcase.htm

JAN.  30-31, 2010                Practice

FEB. 6, 2010                        SUPERBOWL WEEKEND- Practice Sat. only           

Feb. 10, 2010                       Wed. Practice @ Covina Park or EM 

FEB. 13-14, 2010                 Gold Classification (if necessary)  or Surf City



Sunday, August 16
List of Colleges and Universities in ALL Divisions.

Division I Colleges 

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=2

Division II Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=3

Division III Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=4

NAIA Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=5

NJCAA1 Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=72

NJCAA2 Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=73

NJCAA3 Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=74

CALJC Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=76

NWACC Colleges

http://www.nfca.org/fastpitch/?div_id=77