Dick Shea and Richard Shea started the Birmingham Thunderbolts organization in 2005 and it has grown into the top club softball organization in the Southeast and one of the premier organization’s in the nation.

Rocky Thompson is the head coach of Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier 18U and the program director, overseeing the entire organization, fielded some questions about the Birmingham Thunderbolts.

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What’s your athletics background and how did you get to the point of leading the team/organization? First, I must acknowledge that I am so grateful the God has granted me to be in this position with the Birmingham Thunderbolts.

For the last 13 years, I have had the privilege to help elevate the program. I played high school ball at Bassfield High (in MS) and played college baseball at Alcon State. I coached baseball for two years at Alcon State and four years of softball as an assistant coach at Alcon State.

I am passionate about player development and working with all the coaches we have coaching and support these young ladies. The dedication to the high standards that have been set, all our coaches that help in recruiting, and the commitment to developing are the true reasons why the organization has grown.

When did the team/program start and how/why did it come to be? The Thunderbolts were started in 2005 for the sole purpose to provide youth in our area the opportunity to compete in travel softball on a national level. We have grown into 11 Birmingham Premier teams with players from all parts of the county. We are a dedicated group of coaches, players and families that are very fortunate to have the unwavering support from Mr. Richard Shea and the Shea family.

Where are you based? Where do your athletes come from? Our “HOME” is in Birmingham, Alabama. We operate from the Shea Brothers Stadium, which consists of two fields with 100 percent FieldTurf surfaces, outdoor batting cages and offers a 13,000-square-foot indoor training center. Our players are from all over the country. We currently have players represented from 17 different states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee (and) Virginia.

What was the purpose of creating the team? The organization was formed with the mission to provide female athletes the opportunity to compete at a national level. Over time with dedication to player development and commitment from players and their families, we have been able to assist our players (to) earn the opportunity to play at the collegiate level while having success on the field with several national championships. We focus on developing players and using the platform to impact crucial intangible qualities to these young women, including a diligent work ethic, prioritizing team-first mindsets, managing time effectively and a dedication to achieving something greater than individual success.

How many teams are there in the organization overall? We have 11 Birmingham Premier Teams (8U – 18U).

What have been some of your successes in terms of winning or placing at events? For the last 19 years, our teams have earned several national titles as well as top finishes at many events. Our 18U team earned a USA national title in 2020. Our younger teams have earned several national championships in USSSA, USFA, USA, Tripe Crown (TC) and NFA. We are proud to have a PGF PREMIER NATIONAL TITLE in every age group (three of the five divisions with two+)!

PGF NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:

• 10U Premier: 2024, 2023
• 12U Premier: 2019
• 14U Premier: 2023, 2022 (14U Platinum division), 2024 and 2021 (first-year 14U team)
• 16U Premier: 2018
• 18U Premier: 2024, 2022

NATIONAL TITLES BY ANY AGE GROUP:

• 8U: 2023 USFA
• 10U: 2024 PGF Premier, 2023 PGF Premier, 2023 USSSA, 2017 USFA
• 12U: 2021 TC, 2019 PGF Premier
• 14U: 2023 Premier, 2022 Premier, 2021 Platinum
• 16U: 2020 USA, 2018 PGF Premier
• 18U: 2024 PGF Premier, 2022 PGF Premier, 2020 USA Gold

What makes the organization unique? We are not just a group of teams, but a program that works together with one vision working together from 8U to 18U. As an organization, we run collective practices where we have players 10U training next to players on our 18U team. Not only do the players work together, but all our coaches work together and support each other’s team (coaches will jump in with other teams to assist with warmups, in games, recruiting, anything that can help the players). We also have a pitching coach and a catching coach on staff that supports all teams.

Has there been a key moment or defining experience in the team’s history? We have had major growth and success that has positively impacted many lives, so to name a key moment or one experience is tough. It really has been several things over the years that continue to make us who we are. The Shea family providing this opportunity for the ladies to play high-level ball and to travel all around the country. When a younger player says their “favorite” athlete is a player that is on an older team or already entered college is always a defining moment! It shows the family atmosphere and mindset that our culture is built on.

What is your primary focus or goal with this team/organization? Our primary focus is player development! We have a standard of how we approach all aspects of the game that is implemented from our 8U to our 18U. We focus and support the older players through the recruiting process as well.

What do you think are the strengths of the team/organization? Our strengths are having great players and their families, who see how we do things, trust in our process and value the player development that we give. We have a great group of coaches, who are dedicated to helping their players to the fullest. We strongly believe that a commitment to doing all things on and off the field to a high standard of excellence will translate to player, team and organization success.

What are some fun facts about the team/organization? We are big on kickball! Our players and coaches LOVE an intrasquad kickball game. We mix the players up among all the age groups and play BALL! Sometimes even run a bracket — being able to say you are a Bolts Kickball champion is a big deal. It’s some tough and legit competition that is taken very seriously. It’s not uncommon seeing a Kona Ice Truck pull up at the end of organizational workouts — we love some snow-cones.

If there is one thing you would say that separates you from other club programs, what would it be? Our players and their families, without them we aren’t us! Our coaches play a major impact in the culture that we have here, it has been defined with a purpose and they continue to represent the standard, that mindset carries into each team, which makes us a cohesive group. If a team is struggling with any aspect or a coach needs assistance with anything, they can reach within the organization and most likely we have someone who can provide that support. No one (player, coach or team) is left standing alone trying to figure something out by themselves. We work together all the time to give our players the best we can.

Was there a former coach, player or person in the organization who has passed that has left a major impression on your team/organization and why? Alex Wilcox was a player of the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier organization and continued her academic and athletic career at Mississippi State. She inspired the nation with her courageous fight against ovarian cancer. That fight ultimately took her life in the summer of 2018. Alex’s #8 Bolts’ jersey was officially retired and is displayed at the Bolts’ Facility to serve as reminder to her Bolts’ sisters of the Birmingham Thunderbolts Premier pledge. In honor of Alex and to spread awareness of the sign and symptoms of ovarian cancer, every Saturday all Bolts will wear our teal jerseys. We encourage everyone to join in the fight and get involved with Geaux Teal! An organization committed to community-based events that raise awareness and increase education and research funds for ovarian cancer.