Highland County Thunder to hold tryouts

Select baseball has come to Highland County! Tryouts for three remaining positions on the 12-man roster are being held now, with final tryout dates scheduled for Feb. 6 and 13. Indoor practices begin Feb. 20, with scrimmage games in March. The season starts in April. The Highland County Thunder team of 14 and under boys will participate in the Southwest Ohio League (SWOL) and play teams in southern Ohio, Indiana,  and Northern Kentucky. SWOL was formed in 1984 with six teams and is now the fourth largest amateur baseball league in the country with over 410 teams comprised of 11 age levels.

The SWOL philosophy "seeks to promote the most advantageous format to allow youth to play at the highest level of amateur baseball. The goal is to provide the best opportunity to prepare for successful high school competition as well as to compete for college scholarships. There will never be an effort to compete with community baseball programs, as they are important to the youth we serve. We simply appeal to the sector of the baseball community that wishes to be pushed by competition to be their very best."

The Highland County Thunder will boast a staff of experienced coaches who are serious about developing the skills of the boys at the 14 U level. John Goldsberry of Hillsboro will be the head coach. With many years in baseball and 12 years of coaching at the high school level, his strengths are teaching fundamentals and game strategy. Assistant Coach Albert Sears, formerly a coach at Leesburg, and has nine years of coaching experience with boys baseball and girls softball as well as other sports.

Planning and preparation are underway now, including coaches' meetings, game scheduling, acquisition of sponsor and fundraising, and ordering of equipment. The team is appreciative of the support of local community businesses and individuals. Recognition is planned as the season gets underway.

The coaching staff is looking forward to working with the young men of Highland County who want to challenge themselves at this level. More questions on the team and info on scheduled tryout times should be directed to John Goldsberry, 937-393-2509 or 937-725-2271.