THUNDERBOLTS FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE THUNDERBOLTS
1. What is the team’s history?
In January 2000, Richard O’Connor purchased the rights to the Southern Maryland Battlecats, a collegiate summer league baseball team (based in Charles County), then part of the Clark Griffith Collegiate Baseball League. He and other local baseball fans formed Maryland Community Baseball, Inc., a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization, to run the renamed Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts.
The team played the majority of its home games at three different locations in its first season—Barcroft Field in Arlington, VA; Blair High School in Silver Spring, MD; Martin Luther King Stadium in Silver Spring; and Wheaton Regional Park in Wheaton, MD. The team also played a series of home games at the Frederick Keys Stadium in Frederick, MD, the DelMarva Shorebirds Stadium in Salisbury, MD, and Bowie Baysox Stadium in Bowie, MD.
The Thunderbolts finished last in the Griffith League in 2000 but second in attendance. In 2002, the team signed a 20-year license agreement with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) to play all home games at Blair Stadium.
In 2005, the Thunderbolts became a charter member of the Cal Ripken Sr Collegiate Baseball League. That first season, the Thunderbolts were Co-League Champions with the Bethesda Big Train. Also, Thunderbolt pitcher Brett Cecil (University of Maryland) pitched the Ripken League’s only nine-inning complete no-hit, no-run game. In 2005, the Thunderbolts were co-champions of the League with the Bethesda Big Train; in 2006, the Thunderbolts won the title outright.
2004: Construction of stadium seating
2005: Construction of an announcer’s booth, perimeter fencing, and entranceway
2006: Installation of an outfield fence cap, center field screening, and field improvements
2008: Installation of a new sound system
2010: Installation of new lighting in the concourse, wind screens, and backstop pads We have raised money from private donations, bank loans, and state bond funding. With regard to the latter, we want to particularly acknowledge the help of former Comptroller (then Delegate) Peter Franchot, Congressman (then State Senator) Jamie Raskin, former State Senator Ida Rubin, and the late Delegate Sheila Hixson for their efforts in acquiring these funds.
3. What does it cost to run the T-Bolts each year?
Of the team’s annual $110,000 in expenses, salaries for the coaches is the largest single item, closely followed by game day expenses (field rental, umpire fees, trainer, and baseballs). We also conduct baseball camps that have field rental, staff, and insurance costs. Finally, we pay for uniforms, concession stand operations, printing costs, league fees, licenses, and permits.
4. How do we receive income?
The T-Bolts receive funding from operating income and donations. The operating income stems from our baseball comps, player fees, concession sales, gate receipts, program ad sales, season passes, banners, souvenirs, raffles, game sponsorships, and game day parties. We also receive individual donations or targeted donations for items such as new player uniforms or after-game meals for players.
5. What activities do the T-Bolts sponsor?
One of the Thunderbolts’ missions is to promote youth baseball and softball in the Silver Spring and Takoma Park communities. In addition, kids on local teams who come to our games in their uniforms get in free. We have run youth baseball clinics before and during the season. Through our internship program, we provide an opportunity for students to earn Student Service Learning (SSL) credits.
There are management opportunities as part of that program for older high school and college students, some of whom have later gone into sports management. Students who have volunteered as photographers, writers, and announcers have added that experience to their resumes. Finally, we participate in the League-sponsored “Feed the Hungry Challenge” to benefit Manna Food Center.