CALIFORNIA THUNDER 18 GOLD (VAN KIRK): Welcome

THE CALIFORNIA THUNDER is the largest and most complete competitive travel ball organization in the San Gabriel Valley. We are the only organization in the area with teams at all age levels (9 Total):  (2) 10u, (2) 12u, (2) 14u, (1) 16u, (1) 18A, (1) 18 Gold. Our ASA Gold and 14u team just returned from ASA Nationals, our 12u team just finished 5th at TCS in Reno, Nevada as a 10u team. Our 16u and 14u (98s) are teams and player smoving up in age division.

Previous teams have participated in ASA Nationals, were Western Nationals runner-up, USSSA National Champions, AFA National Champions, participated in the ASA Hall of Fame Tournament in Oklahoma City and more... Click on the "About Thunder" page on the menu bar! 

We are focusing on Premier Qualification, then ASA as an alternative while we participate in the top level showcases to offer exposure and continue to develop our athletes!!! Because development, preparation and showcasing is really what is important to us! Our mission is to prepare athletes to excel to the highest level and succeed in collegiate athletics.

ALL of our athletes that have moved on to college have been starters as Freshman. Many of our collegiate players have become All-Conference players and several have been All-Americans and are now successful in the Pro League. Many of our former players are pursuing Masters Degrees have been Grad Assistant Coaches and a few are now coaching in college.  We are proud to say that most of our older Alumni have begun their Professional careers as licensed Psychologists, Police Officers, Nurses, Law Students, Marketing Assistants etc. We are proud to have been a part of their lives!!!

Preparation and exposure as well as academics is what we believe can take you to the next level. Players will be given the tools and guidance necessary to make an impact in college. All of our athletes compete, train, prepare physically and academically for the requirements necessary in a Division I softball program.

We currently have our own personal trainer, Alan Smith, who assists our athletes in understanding their atleticism through dynamic training,  plyometric strength conditioning, speed, agility and most importantly injury prevention. Alan currently also trains the Long Beach State Softball team as well as, several current collegiate athletes.  Alan can be reached at (626) 442-9042 to arrange personal sport specific training.

The CALIFORNIA THUNDER Organization returned to the San Gabriel Valley in the 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 area; she also played on a local CIF Championship team and 3 ASA National Championship teams. At total of 5 national titles at various levels and a CIF Div 2 Title.

We have 12u through 18 Gold teams with some availability on each so please contact the respective coaches for each team if you are interested in joining us.  

We have organizational workouts so players from all levels can learn from each other and our 18 gold players learn how to teach the game.

Our focus includes all Major 18 GOLD SHOWCASE TOURNAMENTS to provide the players with the MAXIMUM EXPOSURE to display their talents. Fifty plus (50+) 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 "Alumni" pages for the link to the list of schools prior players have attended.)
 

* Our confirmed showcase schedule will include: All Surf City Showcases, So Cal’s Finest Showcases and America’s Finest Showcases, Boulder Colorado Louisville Slugger, Las Vegas JO Classic, all Premier qualifiers then all ASA Qualifiers.

See our Roster page for Profiles of our coaching staff. 

Please click the "Skills Video Link" on the menu bar. Skills videos and personal player profile websites are available for all Thunder players.

Thank you for your interest in the CALIFORNIA THUNDER Organization and we appreciate the support from all those who are assisting these athletes pursue their dreams toward collegiate athletics and academic success.  

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

Elaine Brown (2012)- Outfielder

Abry Moreno (2013)- OF/2b

Colette Riggs (2013)- P-OF/1b

Brittney Amezquita (2014)- 2b/OF

Molly Steinberg (2014)- C/OF

Videos will be available soon for the following players:

Erin Clinton (2013)- SS/3b 

Mercedes Del Real (2013)- C/3b/OF

Lexie Shue (2013)- SS

Jackie Carr (2014)- OF  

Thank you for your interest in our program!

See the Alumni Page for list of signed players!!!!  Or click the link below.

2012

Elaine Brown (OF)- Committed to Florida Tech (Div II) 

 Nellie Elizarraraz (OF)- Committed to Kenyon College (Div III)

Kaylie Garcia (3b)- Signed to San Jose State  (Div I)

Narissa Garcia (P/1b)-   Signed to Azusa Pacific University (NAIA to be Div 2 ) 

Lauren Li- (P/INF)-   Committed to U Penn (Div I)

Ashley Stassin (P/Inf)-   Signed with Middle Tenn. State (Div I)

2013

Erin Clinton (SS/2b)-

Mercedes Del Real (C/1b)-

 Savanah Guzman (SS)- Committed to San Jose State (Div I)

Abry Moreno (OF)-

Aimee Provost (INF)-

Colette Riggs (P/1b/OF)- Committed to San Jose State (Div I)

Lexie Shue (SS/2b/OF)-

2014

Brittney Amezquita (2b/OF)-

Jackie Carr (OF)-

Molly Steinberg (C/2b/OF)-

2011/12 18 GOLD Winter Schedule

Training

LOCATION - 212 Center 542 N. Second Ave in Covina

   Tu or Wed Evening 7:00-8:00 pm

Make the BEST of 2012!!!

Winter 2012 Schedule

(Fall 2011 Cumulative Record 32-10-3)

(Winter 2012 Cumulative Record 14-7)

2012 Spring Schedule

May

Practice 12th, 19th (Sat.) 20th

2012 Summer Schedule

May

 26th-27th-  Am Pastime Memorial Day Classic (PD confirmed) 

June

1st-3rd- Az Premier Qualifier (confirmed)

8th-10th- So Cal's Finest Zoom Into June (PD- confirmed)

15th-17th- So Cal Premier Qualifier (confirmed)

22rd-24th- Nor Cal Premier Qualifier (confirmed)

26th- Arrive in CO by early evening for BBQ

July             June 27th- July 1st- Boulder/Louisville Slugger Showcase (PD confirmed) 

La Quinta Inn Louisville- Room Block

7th-8th-  (TBD)

11th-15th-  Champions Cup (PD confirmed)

and/or

13th-15th NW Premier Qualifier (???)

21st-22nd

28th-29th Prepare for Premier Nationals

FALL SHOWCASE SCHEDULE

Oct. 13-14 Surf City- Fall Showcase (PD confirmed)

Sept. 22-23  So Cal's Finest- Fall Kick-off

Oct. 5-7 Firecrackers TCS Showcase 

Oct. 19-21 Surf City- October Showcase (7 games) (PD confirmed)

Oct. 27-28 Surf City- Halloween Showcase (PD confirmed)

Nov. 2-4 Ronald McDonald Showcase- Texas (PD confirmed)

Nov. 10-11 So Cal's Finest- Tourney of Champions 

Nov. 16-18 Surf City- Early Thanksgiving Showcase (7 games) (PD confirmed)