Dear Players and Parents, The 2008 softball season has ended and planning for 2009 has already begun. We have been working hard to get everything organized for another successful summer of tournament softball. We are excited about the progress we’ve made and want to keep you informed of what is going on.

Rosters and Parent RepresentativesThe age group rosters have been determined and you should have received a call from Ed Winger, Tom Wice or Jim Becker. Welcome aboard. We will need everyone’s participation for a successful season. To get everyone involved, we again have some duties that allows for involvement of all parents. Each player needs to have a representative participate in one of the following committees or duties: Fundraising, Sponsorship, Publication, Tournament, Community Service, Team Parent(s), Scorebook Keeper, Picnic Parent. With everyone participating these committees will then consist of at least eight members to make everyone’s job easier. Jobs will be filled on first come first serve basis, so be thinking about what you would like to do.

Participation FeesThe participation fee for players on 12-under, 14-under, 16-under and 18-under teams will be $200 per player. The participation fee for 10-under players will be $150. However, we will have a 50/50 raffle fundraiser so that each player can earn credit toward up to half of her entry fee. To RESERVE your spot on a Thunder Team, a payment of $100.00 is due by November 16, 2008. Roster spots will NOT be held for ANYONE who does not make their payment or other arrangements by this date. The balance will be due no Later than March 1, 2009. Please make your check payable to TRICITY FASTPITCH and forward to: Judy Lesko, 521 No. 2^nd Street, Titusville, PA 16354 (include Child’s Name on check) or bring the parent meeting.

FundraisingWe hope to increase our sponsorships for 2009 and will be soliciting area companies for donations to meet our goal. This year we are again planning on selling 50/50 tickets as a major fundraiser. As stated above, your player has the opportunity to reduce her second participation fee payment by the amount of tickets she sells. We need to be successful in our fundraising activities in order to keep the participation fees low.

ThunderwearOnce again we have contracted with a local vendor to produce apparel with the Tri City Thunder name and artwork. We have finalized the colors and graphics that will be available this year. An order form for these items we be sent later this week. Orders must be received by the parent meeting on November 16^th, so items will be available in December.

WebsiteOur website is up and running. Our website address is www.tricitythunder.com. We will post information on the site regularly regarding upcoming events, Thunderwear, tournament results and items of interest. Please visit the site to stay informed on what’s going on.

Parent MeetingWe will be having an organization meeting for all parents on Sunday, November 16, 2008 at the Oakland United Methodist Church on Route 428 at Dempseytown starting at 7PM. At this time, we will introduce board members, collect participation fees, birth certificates (new player only), medical information sheets and “Thunderwear” order forms. One parent for each player is required to attend.

Sincerely,

Jill Neely

President,Tri City Thunder

The only thing fair in life is a ball hit between first and third.