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Professional Instruction


Thunder Stix offers the facility and instructors to help even the best players get better. 

  • All skill levels and ages
  • Individual and Group Lessons available
  • Hitting, Pitching, Fielding and Catching
  • Instruction for both Baseball and Softball




Q. How much are lessons at Thunder Stix?

A.  Thunder Stix instructors charge $45 / per half-hour lesson & $80 / for a full hour session.  We also do group lessons for between 2 and 4 students.  These sessions are 1 hour and the cost is $50 per person.  Be sure to ask about our 3, 5 and 10-pack specials.  We also do a variety of clinics, camps and large group lessons during the year.  Check out our Clinics and Hitting League to see what's coming up next.


A Note From A Coach


Robert has taken on a special role in helping to develop the skills of the dedicated baseball and softball players.  I'm especially pleased to observe the many clinics and time allotted to girls!  The machines work consistently at the designated speed, and the staff is always friendly, attentive, and genuinely interested in the customers.  Thunder Stix is in a class all its own!


Thank you! 
Lisa Myers
Softball Hitting / Pitching Instructor


Instructional Staff

Robert Banner - Softball Hitting











Tom McGlawn-Baseball Instruction


Robert Banner is the head varsity softball coach at Alexis I. DuPont High School in Greenville, DE and the owner and operator of Thunder Stix Baseball and Softball Academy.  In his 6 years as the head coach, the Lady Tigers have transformed their softball program into a Flight A contender following 11 consecutive losing seasons.  After a 6-13 first year, the Tigers recorded 6 of 7 winning seasons including 2011 and 2012's state tournament teams.  2011 marked the first time the Tigers advanced to the state tournament in nearly 20 years.   In the past three seasons the Tigers have defeated 3 teams ranked in the Delaware High School Top 10...and over the past 6 years, Coach Banner has helped develop 20 All-Conference players for the Tigers.

In 2008 Coach Banner was selected to coach in the Blue-Gold Senior All-Star Classic in Dover.  The game features the best high school seniors in the state.  In 2009, 2010 and 2012, Coach Banner was part of the coaching staff for All-Star players representing Northern Delaware in the Carpenter Cup Series in Philadelphia.

Prior to taking over as coach of A.I. DuPont,  Coach Banner coached in the Midway Girls Softball organization for 6 years and also spent 1 season as an assistant with the 18U Orange Crush Travel Team.

In his 3 years at Thunder Stix, Coach Banner has done 1 on 1 instruction with over 140 different softball players and over 50 baseball players as well as hundreds more in group clinics.  Included among his hitters are 18 all-conference, all-state and college players

Call 302-384-6589 to schedule a hitting lesson with Coach Rob








Tom McGlawn - Hello, To those of you who don’t personally know me my name is Thomas McGlawn Jr. aka.. Coach Tom.  I am originally from Philadelphia, Pa. but I now live in Newark, De. My passion for baseball began as a small child and continued to grow throughout my adulthood. In 1989 I graduated from University City High School of Philadelphia, Pa. and accepted a full scholarship to play for Essex Community College in Baltimore, Md. From there I was recruited to play in Daytona Beach Fla. for Bethune-Cookman University. I was then drafted in 1991 to play for the Cardinals, in St. Joseph, Mo. then traded to the Phillies in Martinsville, Va in 1993.

Recently I have helped as one of the assistant coaches for both Caravel Academy and the Delaware Warriors Baseball teams.  I am also the founder and manager of the McGlawn Mavericks, a 14u travel baseball team.  This reignited my desire to get back into the game of baseball. My mission is to share and educate young boys and girls who desire to learn this wonderful game of baseball. My specialty is in the areas of hitting, bunting, pitching, catching and fielding.  I can also assist your athlete with strength training and  base running.  I am excited to be given the opportunity to share the gifts and talents that I feel God has given to me.   I count it an honor to work with you and your children.

Call 302-384-6589 to schedule a Hitting or Pitching lesson with Coach Tom

 

Ray Lloyd - Baseball Instruction 

 

Ray Lloyd - Ray brings an extensive and highly successful baseball background that encompasses 35 years as both a player and coach at the local, national and professional levels.  With his vast array of experience, Ray brings fundamentally sound, proven pitching and hitting techniques to players of all ages and experience levels.

Ray's Profile

  • Graduate of Wilmington Friends High School
  •  2 - time First Team All-State (Delaware)
  •  Pitched professionally in Philadelphia Phillies organization
  •  Played 16 years in the Delaware Semi-Pro League
  •  12-time All- Star; 6-time MVP; 9-time batting champion
  •  All time leader in career batting avg. (.409)
  •  2006 inductee into the Delaware Baseball Hall of Fame
  •  Currently playing in Pa and NJ Semi-Pro Leagues
  •  Successful coaching tenure at middle school, high school,
     college and Semi-Pro levels.
  •  Successful hitting coach with fast-pitch softball at all  levels.

    Call 302-384-6589 to schedule a Hitting or Pitching lesson with Coach Ray

     

Kaitlyn Cialini - Softball Pitching

                  

Kate is a graduate of St. Elizabeth's High School and received a softball scholarship to play at the University of Maryland.She has been doing pitching instruction at Thunder Stix since April of 2010.  Kate is terrific with our young and developing pitchers as well as experienced girls just looking for speed improvement or adding a new pitch to their arsenal.  In the past year, Kate has worked with over 50 recreational league, travel team and high school pitchers from Delaware, South Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Kate is a Native of New Castle, DE and was a member of the coaching staff at Newark High School in 2010.   Call 302-384-6589 to schedule a pitching lesson with Coach Kate.


Amy Nepi - S-A-Q Training (Speed-Agility-Quickness)

        

The newest member of our instructional staff is Amy Nepi.  Amy is a recent graduate of the University of New Haven.  Her degree is in Biology however, she has chosen to do post graduate work in the field of physical training and fitness.  Amy was a college softball player hand has a keen awareness of the need for elite athletes to develop speed, quickness and agility.  HITTING, FIELDING and PITCHING no longer stand alone as the pillars of success for aspiring college athletes.  They also need to be quick to the ball and on the bases to maximize their potential.  Amy can work with your athlete privately or in a group setting to enhance these essential skills and make your player fit to be great!  Private Sessions and Group Training Sessions begin in September.

  Call 302-384-6589 to schedule a workout session with Coach Amy


A Note From A Player

I'm a serious softball player who recently committed to play at the University of Delaware this fall. During a showcase at the Delaware Invitational over the summer, I was in a funk with my batting and needed a tweak . Being from NY and not knowing the area, I "googled" batting cages in Wilmington" and found Thunder Stix.  When we arrived at the facility, I was impressed with the  quality of the cages and pitching machines.  Rob took me under his wing and for 2 hours  worked the kinks out till I got my groove back.  He is an awesome instructor and a wonderful person. My confidence came back and I batted over .600 for the weekend.  He made it a point of coming to watch me play in a few of my games.  Since committing to UD , I have made a few trips to visit the University, I always make it a point to stop and visit Rob. I will always remember his kindness. Since I will only be a half an hour away, I certainly will take bp at Thunder Stix in my spare time!!
Thanks again Rob, my home batting coach is jealous!

Sincerely,

Mary O'Reilly
Cortlandt Manor, NY