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Scout Day Spotlight: Dayton Thunderbirds

DAYTON - It was a decade ago that the Dayton Thunderbirds came into existence.

Former University of Dayton head coach Tony Vittorio started up the organization with an 8U team.

“The focus was on the development of players with a connection to the UD baseball program,” explained Tim Bower, the current head coach of the Thunderbirds who helps in the spring at Dayton Christian where the summer team practices. “I came in the following year with a second team, and then in year three we had 9U, 10U and 11U teams.”

The organization eventually reached as high as five teams but is now down to one - a 17U team - after some of the Thunderbirds teamed up with the Dayton Classics.

“The organization took a turn two years ago,” Bower explained. “Coach Vittorio retired (after 18 years at UD) and came on board helping with the pitchers. We also added four players from a team in Richmond, Ind.”

The 15U team two years ago had the best record the organization has had at 31-7, winning four of seven tournaments that season. A year ago as 16U, the Thunderbirds finished 32-9.

“Last year we played in more high-level tournaments,” Bower noted, highlighted by a top 16 finish in the Amatuer Baseball Championships. The team finished second in the East Cobb and this fall played in two tourneys, placing second in the Fall Prospect Wood Bat National Championships at Grand Park for 17U and 18U teams.

The current 17U team still has four players from the 12U Thunderbirds, with a mixture of players from all over the Miami Valley, including Indiana.

‘Their biggest interest is the same as mine,” said Bower, who has two 2019 players on the current squad, one an Ivy Tech commit and the other who is getting looks from three or four schools. “They want to demonstrate what they can do. They’re very committed to each other and committed to winning. It’s a very unselfish group.

“The one thing we focus on with all of them is this ... Your talent will get you on the field, your performance will keep you on the field.”

Up ahead the Thunderbirds will participate in a Prep Baseball Report Scout Day on Jan. 21.

“We have players that have gone to PBR showcases but this is the first time as a whole team we will be with PBR,” Bower said. “We’re trying to create exposure for the players if they haven’t decided to play next year. This will help get them that exposure.”

A demanding 2019 summer schedule will add to it.

“Our schedule is very competitive,” Bower said in looking ahead to the upcoming summer that includes participating in the Worthington Wood Bat Tournament, the 17U ABC Championships and the CABA World Series in Cleveland. “We have had two Super 25 organizations reach out to us and that’s unique. The product you put on the field speaks for itself.”