The trophy might not be the flashiest in the world, but for the past 40 years it has served to motivate two disparate groups.

This summer, Norwin Rotary and the Norwin School District will once again face off in the 41st annual "Thunderbucket" softball game.

The Norwin Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the game, which will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 3 at the Norwin High School softball field.

Members of the Norwin Rotary will face off against Norwin teachers, staff and school district officials.

The rivalry between the two groups has been a friendly one, and neither group has a stranglehold on the competition.

"Over the years, the bucket's gone back and forth," Superintendent John Boylan said.

The winner of the game receives the famed Thunderbucket, currently stored at the Chamber of Commerce's office in downtown Irwin.

"It's just one of those things that's not pretty, but it's a symbol that you have for a year," Boylan said.

The district's team is coached by athletic director Randy Rovesti, but the preparation does not involve a rigorous training schedule. In years past Boylan said the district players would meet before hand to practice, but they have since dropped that tradition.

"It was easier just to go out to the game and be sore once," Boylan said.

Rotary president Bill Merchant said his team fills its ranks with members of the club, and they take anyone who offers.

"Anyone who we can find to play on our team is who we can recruit," Merchant said.

The Rotary players will go onto the field under the tutelage of Rich Miller, a local dentist. Merchant said although the district won last year, he has high hopes for this year's game.

"Well, I'm an optimist, so I'm thinking Rotary's going to win," he said.

For the past few years, the district has prevailed over the Rotary, and Merchant jokingly suggested a reason for that dominance.

"Sometimes the school district tries to bring ringers in," Merchant said with a laugh.

Boylan did not dispute the district's recent success.

"The Norwin School District seems to be on a roll," he said.

Whatever the outcome this year, however, the players, and the people who come to watch, will have a good time.

"Everybody plays, it's a friendly competition and everybody does it in the right spirit," Boylan said.

Spectators at the game will have the opportunity to enjoy ice cream for Kerber's Dairy while they watch, and proceeds from ice cream sales will go to the Chamber of Commerce's scholarship fund.

The Rotary will also hold a 50/50 raffle during the game for their scholarship fund.