Rocky Thompson former coach at Alcorn University went from coaching slow pitch softball to developing the Birmingham Thunderbolts (4). Last year, the Bolts claimed the Demarini Showcase throne and will attempt a repeat. 

Even with our expectations. They have expectations for themselves. - Rocky Thompson

The player development of the Bolts aims to prepare players to compete in college which is exactly why they travel.

What's the importance to traveling to tournaments like Boulder and the DeMarini Showcase? It's the competition that's what is important about it.  We see the same girls at these tournaments that they will eventually see in college. That's why we go to the west coast and that's why we go to Chicago. We could easily stay in Alabama and stay local but the majority of the competition is in California. But there are a lot of good teams out here as well. This will be our third year going to DeM

How long have you been going to the DeMarini Showcase? This will be our third year.

Do you feel Alabama is the new hotbed for softball? I do. As long as I've been in Alabama I have seen the talent grow. Richard Shea has provided a place to develop players. Teams are getting better. There's a lot of young talent being developed in Alabama. We get the quality coaching now.

What is the Bolts motto or mantra to live by? We always want to play with pride. Wherever we go, when we're on the softball field we need to have pride and character about the game.

What are your greatest strengths? Balance. Good defense, good offense.

Who is most likely to try out for American Ninja Warrior? Laney Joiner

Who is most likely to try out for the Voice? Elissa Brown

Who is most likely to tryout for So You Think You Can Dance? KK Crocker

If you could describe this team in one word, what would it be? Resilient.

Meet the Birmingham Thunderbolts 18U Premier

2016 

#1 Jackie Switzer is an outfielder going to Florida this fall. She brings tremendous speed with the ability to turn singles into doubles. 

#3 Elissa Brown will make her way to Alabama to fight for a middle infield or outfield position. She loves to steal bases. Quiet leader

#7 Carmyn Greenwood (Auburn) commands the outfield in center with one of the strongest arms on the team. She was a slapper that developed as a hitter. A true triple threat that can lay down a bunt, slap, and hit for power.

#20 Morgan Bruce (Ole Miss) is a pitcher with great velocity. She demands the ball and wants to win on the mound. Bruce is an east west pitcher.

#10 Teaghan Cowles has the potential to make a huge impact at Stanford. Cowles is extremely cerebral when it comes to softball. On offense she's a gap to gap hitter. She's one of the most vocal leaders on the field for the Bolts.

#8 KK Crocker (Auburn) plays second and outfield. She has great bat control. Crocker is another strong vocal leader on the field. This three-sport athlete jumps towns from Tuscaloosa to Auburn this fall.

#15 Maddie Dorsett will attend Mississippi State this fall to fend for the second base or outfield position. Dorsett has extraordinary bat control.

#13 Ole Miss will get Kaylee Horton a solid infielder/outfielder with great speed and a strong arm. 

#24 Claire Jenkins is regarded as one of the most coachable players to come through the Bolts program. Jenkins will join Brown at Alabama. She has really developed her footwork in the infielder and is another strong at shortstop. 

#11 Laney Joiner (Auburn), third baseman and outfielder has become a student of the game. She brings pop to the Bolts offense.

#32 Giselle Juarez is from Glendale, Ariz. and will join Fresno State. This southpaw spins the ball well. "Gritty" was the word used to describe Juarez on the mound.

#16 Bailey Murphy will put on a South Alabama Jaguar uniform Southpaw this fall. Her strengths are moving the ball east and west.

#18 Justus Perry (Auburn) plays first base and hits for power to all fields. Perry is a vocal leader on defense. She can pick it.

#34 Peyton Silvermann is a pitcher headed to North Carolina State. She had a strong performance against the OC Batbusters - Stith giving up two earned runs. 

#4 FloSoftball National Player of the Year Ashlee Swindle will join Auburn this fall. She won a second straight Alabama State Championship with a 45-2 record and a 0.59 ERA.


2017

#00 Shaye "The Cat" Bowden will sign her NLI with Oregon. Bowden brings energy and versatility on the field. She the ultimate team player who can play many positions. 

#9 Jenna Eagle is a corner committed to Boston College. In Boulder, she hit three home runs. Ergle is described as a quiet leader that will speak up at the right moments.

#2 DeNae Chatman plays infield and is committed to ASU. In the last week, Chatman has moved up in the lineup batting cleanup and hitting three home runs. 

#14 Chardonnay Harris (Auburn) won the Illinois state title for Oak Park-River High School in the circle. Her rise ball and change are her greatest strengths.

#27 Madison Westmoreland is a catcher and first baseman going to (Indiana). She has great arm and blocks the ball well. Westmoreland does not hesitate to take control of the defense.