History
In the summer of 2012 The Lake Norman Lightning Organization was founded by Tommy Strahan and Chase Colbert. After the recreation season came to an end in 2012 they decided that they wanted to do more for the Lake Norman area in the sport of softball. Their idea was to build an organization that allowed each team to possess its own unique identity but together they share a common mission and vision of placing player development, character/personal growth, community involvement and team success as their primary mission.
They chose girls that have a passion and desire to play a game they love and wanted to develop their skills so they could compete in middle, high school and ultimately college softball.
They started with one team in their first summer season and added a 12u team in the fall of 2012. In the spring of 2013 The Lake Norman Lightning added a 10u team giving them 3 teams in the organization. In 2016, The Lake Norman Lightning Organization will have six teams representing them (10, 12u-04 12u-03, 14u-02, 14u-01 and 16u).
In the summer of 2014 the organization had three of their four teams place in the top 5 in The Summer World Series, with the10-u team taking home the organizations first World Series Championship. Since that time the organization has won many Championships among all their teams in ASA, NSA and Top Gun.
The LKN Lightning Organization players are from Lancaster, SC; Concord, NC; Charlotte, NC; Mooresville, NC; Cornelius, NC; Huntersville, NC; Davidson, NC; Denver, NC and Waxhaw, NC.
The Lake Norman Lightning is one of the region’s most respected organizations in travel fastpitch, offering competitive travel-ball programs for young ladies of all ages.
We invite you to see how LIGHTNING STRIKES!
Philosophy
As parents and members of our community we all recognize the value of a great education for our children and the role that a strong organization and its members can play in our community. The Lake Norman Lightning objective is to provide competitive opportunities for youth softball players in the Lake Norman and surrounding communities: to instill proper fundamentals and sound mechanics that prepare these players for middle school, high school and college level play.
The Lake Norman Lightning Fastpitch Organization is made up of young ladies living in or around the Lake Norman area. The Lake Norman Lightning coaching staff is committed to its players not only in developing proficiency in fastpitch softball but fosters an environment that emphasizes academic excellence, encourages community service, promotes maturity and discipline, and cultivates strong, confident young ladies. At the same time we are promoting leadership skills, hard work, sportsmanship, self-discipline and teamwork, which can only benefit our community in the future and instill values that will carry over into their adult lives.
Competition
The Lake Norman Lightning is a competitive travel organization we are not a recreational fastpitch team. As such, we will travel to where the competition is; it is our intent to schedule 14 tournaments a year. Even though the competition in this area is strong there will be some tournaments where we travel and stay overnight.
We are sanctioned with ASA, NSA, USSSA and TOP GUN. The coaching staff is committed to balancing competitiveness and maintaining a positive experience for all players. The statement “Playing time is earned not given” means the amount of playing time each player receives will depend on attitude, skill level, commitment, absences, injuries and game situations. “ALL PLAYERS WILL EARN THEIR POSITIONS!”
Although we will always play to win, it is not a win at all cost mentality. All players and parents must understand that, unlike recreation softball, the coaches do not guarantee minimum playing time. You have to earn your time and compete for it every practice. The coaches will inform you of where you stand and what you need to improve on to earn more playing time or become a starter.
Coaches
10u: Head Coach-Tommy Strahan
12u: Head Coach-John Brodland; Assistant Coaches: Doug Shanks, Somer Baier, Marty Wilcox
14u: Head Coach-Matt Rose; Assistant Coaches: Tommy Strahan
16u: Head Coach-Tommy Strahan; Assistant Coaches: Marcus Howell, Dmetri Moore
16u: Head Coach-Derek Morgan; Assistant Coaches: Charles
Teamwork
We practice as a team and we play as a team. Therefore, we expect that all players will attend practice, games and team functions as scheduled. Because of the time commitment and other obligations, we understand that sometimes things come up and you are unable to attend. We ask that each player do the best they can to attend and be on time. Everyone is expected to put the best interest of the team first, before any thought of any individual accomplishments. No individual coach or player is more important than the team.
