Lucas County Lightning Newsletter

Summer 2025

Hi all! We hope everyone is enjoying the this crazy spring weather. Let’s hope the warm weather comes and stays sooner rather than later!

This summer we will be offering softball and walking group. (Golf registration was sent out a few weeks ago.) Please read the information before registering. New information could make a difference in whether or not you register.

Just a reminder if you register for a sport and do not have a current physical on file with us, you will not be able to participate/tryout for that sport. We must have the physical before the sport begins. SO staff emails/mails out reminder packets to athletes whose physicals will expire within 6 months. If you register and are a new athlete in our program, our staff will contact you to make arrangements to get you a packet.

Signing up with the link in this newsletter is the best and fastest way to register. The deadline to register is 4:30 pm on June 9. After that, registration is closed. When you submit the online registration form, you will receive a confirmation email. If you receive this email, then we have your information (please check your junk mail). You do not need to register multiple times or call. We will not reach out with specific sports information until after the registration deadline.

Summer Special Olympics Program

Please read before registering.

Softball

Grab your glove...softball is back!! We expect to have at least two teams, traditional and coach pitch, as well as our skills development program. Because of the different skill levels of the players and divisions within Special Olympics, everyone who registers for softball will be required to participate in a screening/tryout before being placed on a team. This process is done for the safety of the players and allows the volunteer coaches to keep the teams as fair and competitive as possible. Once you are registered, you will be contacted regarding tryout dates and times. You may not make a team if you do not attend try outs.

Because of the large number of athletes trying out, there may not be a place for everyone on a team. To give everyone a chance to play, teams have a maximum of 15 players (or less, due to skill level). If you have questions, please contact Kelley Watson at kwatson@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5109.

Teams are determined at the conclusion of try-outs, when athletes will be contacted to let them know if they made a team.

We are working on a unified softball team this summer for our traditional softball players. We would like participation with more athletes in neighboring counties.

Athletes who are just learning or working to improve their softball skills on how to catch, throw, hit and run bases, will work with volunteers on developing these skills. If you feel the athlete fits under our skills program, please let us know ahead of time and they will not have to attend tryouts.

Walking Group

Looking for something more relaxing and not competitive? Then walking group is for you! Walking group is a great way to get some exercise and socialize with friends. Walking group meets once a week, the day will be determined once we have our other practice schedules in place. We will continue to walk at Swan Creek and meet at the Airport Hwy entrance. Further details will be provided once registration closes.

Summer Sports Registration Information

The online registration form for summer sports is found by clicking here.

The registration page is open now and will close on Friday, June 9. You must register during this time to play a summer sport!

To participate in these sports, you must be at least 16 years old, reside in Lucas County, have a qualifying diagnosis and have a current Special Olympics medical form on file with our office. (If the athlete is between the ages of 8-15 years old, they would be in the Little Lightning program and will receive information at a later date. For further information, or to join that mailing list, please email littlelightning@lucasdd.org.)

Click here to download the New Athlete Packet for Special Olympics. (Skip this if you are already registered with Lucas County Special Olympics.)

Please return your completed forms by either:

-email to specialolympics@lucasdd.org

-conventional mail to:

Lucas County Special Olympics

1154 Larc Lane

Toledo, Ohio 43614

Important information! Please read:

**Anyone who has questions regarding Special Olympics, such as practices and games, or anything else, please contact our office at specialolympics@lucasdd.org or 419-380-5109 and talk directly to Special Olympics staff. Programming, practice (including cancellations/scheduling), and competition decisions are all made by the Special Olympics staff.

We ask that all questions be directed to Special Olympics staff. Please respect our volunteer coaches and their time, as they already donate so much to our program, by letting the Special Olympics staff take care of all your questions.

If you have any questions about this, please email Kelley Watson at kwatson@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-5109.

Regional Games at Findlay High School

Approximately 90 Lucas County athletes attended the NW Regional games on Sunday, April 27 at Findlay High School. Athletes competed in bocce, powerlifting, and track and field. Most of the the athletes who competed at the games are now eligible to attend Summer Games that will take place at the Ohio State University, June 13-15.

Regional Volleyball took place at the BG Community Center on Sunday, May 4. Our modified team competed against Wood County winning their games, but fell short against Wyandot County. Unfortunately, to qualify to attend summer games, volleyball teams had to win their division.

Our D1 traditional volleyball team received an automatic bid to go to State Volleyball. Lucas County was the only D1 team in our region.

Upcoming Events: Stay Tuned for Details!

June 13-15- Summer Games at Ohio State University

July 9-10- Ottawa Hills Football Camp (more details and sign ups at a later date)

July 12 & 18- Golf Clinics with First Tee (more details and sign ups at a later date)

July 26- Lucas County SO Golf Scramble- Get your team together!

August 2- Regional Golf more info TBA

August 16- Regional Softball in Findlay Ohio more info TBA

Upcoming Board Events (not Special Olympics, but FUN events you may be interested in! Click on the events below for details.)

Sat, May 31: Spring Fling Special Needs Dance

Sat, June 7: Old West End Parade. Be in the parade with Lucas DD!

Mon, June 9: SALUTE Monthly Meeting, 5:30pm

Tues, June 10: Common Ground, 5:30-7:30pm

Tues, June 10: Summer Rec Jam, free entry, 7-9pm.

For additional events, please check out our online calendar by clicking here. To receive information about events in your inbox, click here and add your email.

Comments or questions?

Please feel free to email Kelley at kwatson@lucasdd.org or call 419-380-5109 if you have any questions and/or suggestions regarding this newsletter or anything else.

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