2025 Thunder Pilot Program

PART ONE (1) 

After much consideration, and years worth of conversation, we feel our House and Thunder programs are both in a healthy state, showing consistent growth in both numbers and success/ability and we are willing to explore the option of relaxing the Thunder/House League commitment. 

MHMSA had 642 registered 2024 players within our House League and 8 Thunder Provincial teams. MHMSA credits the house league, coaches/players/families for the success of the Thunder program. The House commitment to fundamentals, inclusivity, development and character building is the feeder for our Thunder program, which too has become an impressive program for players looking to continue to advance their game and commitment to growth on the diamond. We could not be more proud of both programs and the years worth of time and dedication from membership to land in this very spot. 

With growth, we sometimes need to reflect on change and we have received feedback from both House only and Thunder coaches + families as to why the mandatory commitment to both programs does not always work. We hope that offering the OPTION will ease those concerns for families, while continuing to offer the opportunity for leadership, friendship and the ability at the high school level to play under a school team umbrella to those who love the blended team ability. 

For the 2025 season, House league play will be OPTIONAL for Thunder players within the U15 and U17/U19 (High School) divisions.   U11 and U13 Thunder player will still be required to play on a House League team.

Please note these additional details:

• If Thunder players commit to a house team and then show less than the previous ? commitment, they will be removed from their Thunder team. This will be monitored.

• U15-U19 Thunder teams will not be permitted to practice on any day that the corresponding house leagues are playing.

• U15-U19 Thunder players who opt OUT of playing house league are not able to play as pick up players in any house league games or tournaments.

• MHMSA has chosen to LEAVE playing house league for U11 & U13 as mandatory and will make some minor shifts to the U11 house league program.

• We will move the U11 house league from M/W to T/Th. Mondays seem to be difficult for our Thunder players and this may help alleviate after tournament burnout.

• U11 Thunder can only practice 1x during the week (M-Th), during the season. Weekend practices, games, tournaments etc. are within another policy.

• Thunder divisions will have NO more than 3 teams. Red + Black + White.

AS A RECAP, THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM.
At the completion of the season, all House League players in the U15 and U19 House league, as well as U15/U17/U19 Thunder players will be issued a survey on the pilot program. This will guide MHMSA to

A. return to the original model OR

B. Adopt the pilot formally or expand to include the U13 division.

PART TWO (2)

MHMSA will be accelerating the Thunder assessment process for our U13-U19 RED teams.

PILOT YEAR MODIFICATION

Thunder ID Camp + Fall Assessments Registration opens on September 1st and closes at midnight on September 15th. 

WINTER ASSESSMENTS Registration opens on January 15th and closes at midnight on January 30th. 

FOR THE 2025 SEASON, APPLICABLE TO U11 TEAMS ONLY

3 ASSESSMENT DATES OFFERED IN THE WINTER, ATHLETES MAY ONLY ATTEND 2.

THE 2025 SEASON, APPLICABLE TO U13-U19 TEAMS ONLY.
A 2 DAY FALL ID CAMP - PLEASE SEE SELECTION PROCESS FOR DETAILS.

PLAYERS CAN ATTEND BOTH FALL ID ASSESSMENT DATES. 

A 1 DAY WINTER ASSESSMENT DATE. 

NO MAXIMUM OF ASSESSMENT DATES ATTENDED

U13 - U19 Tiered Teams
TEAM 1 RED SELECTION PROCESS WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE 2 DAY FALL ID CAMP.

The following process will be followed for teams entering tiered Softball Alberta Provincial play.                                               

1. The 7 highest rated players will be automatically assigned to Team 1.

2. Up to 7 additional players will be selected by the provincial coach of Team 1 from the remaining assessed players who did not rate in the top 7.  

3. After Team 1 has selected their entire roster (up to a maximum of 14 players), the next 7 highest rated players will automatically be assigned to Team 2. 

4. Up to 7 additional players will be selected by the provincial coach of Team 2 from the remaining assessed players.

5. After Team 2 has selected their entire roster (up to a maximum of 14 players), the process can repeat as per policy. 

6. TEAM 2 or additional teams will be completed after the winter assessment dates.

7. PLAYERS MAY OPT OUT OF THEIR THUNDER TEAM SELECTION BUT ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PLAY ON ANOTHER THUNDER TEAM. ANY PLAYER WHO HAD OPTED OUT OF HOUSE LEAGUE AND DECLINES THEIR THUNDER SPOT, WILL BE, IF REQUESTED, PLACED ON A MHMSA HOUSE TEAM.

Please note: The higher skilled team will choose their competition level first, with each additional team choosing afterwards. TEAMS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT CHOOSING TO COMPETE IN THE SAME DIVISION LEVEL WILL RESULT IN A REQUIRED ZONE PLAYDOWN. THE GOAL OF MHMSA, WHEN CREATING MULTIPLE TEAMS, IS TO SEND TEAMS IN MULTIPLE PROVINCIAL CATEGORIES.