Supportive

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Parents and guardians play a huge role in the development of a successful softball player and well-rounded individual. Your role as an NJ CHALLENGE parent (family) is every bit as important as that of the coaches, and every bit as difficult at times, if not more so. Having a successful parent-athlete relationship is a balancing act which is why we help facilitate a positive relationship experience for all.

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Our athlete's self-confidence and physical skill development are our main focus at Challenge U. Softball and throughout the NJ CHALLENGE organization. This is why it is vital to give room for athletes to flourish by not engaging in negative influential behavior such as harboring on an athlete's unsuccessful performance, continually focusing on negative actions done by the athlete during game time, or putting pressure on the athlete. This behavior only hinders the self-confidence and relaxation (combined with eagerness) required to reach peak performance in our athletes. Instead, these athletes tend to play with fear which leads to slumps, stress, and overall performance anxiety.

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We require our NJ CHALLENGE parents to be positive, motivational, and supportive for our athletes to develop. This way, you (as their parents) will be there to support them while the coaches dig deep to push them past their "limits". Remember, we have the same goal: develop our athletes/your child to reach their full potential while creating a new self-standard for themselves on and off the field.

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Committed

 

NJ CHALLENGE parents are required to commit to displaying good sportsmanship at all times. We at NJ CHALLENGE hold ourselves to a higher standard while keeping an impeccable reputation. We therefore ask you to keep the following in mind, as parents/guardians in our NJ CHALLENGE family:​

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• Please stay away from the dugout/bench area during games. Your daughter should have everything she needs prior to the start of the game.

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• Arguing with a coach or an umpire is not allowed. Although you may not agree with a call, please keep your opinions to yourself. The coach will argue and challenge any necessary calls with an umpire.

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• Parents must refrain from coaching players. This can be distracting and dangerous and also interferes with the development of the player/coach relationship. “Sideline” or “stands” coaching is highly frowned upon. Behavior as such can result in the removal of an athlete from the team without tuition refund.

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• Do not question the coaches during a game. There is a 24 hour period before any individual concerns will be addressed by that individual parent/athlete.  ​

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• Our players are young adults and are very impressionable. All NJ CHALLENGE parents must set an example by being a positive example and role model for our players.

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• Commit to being supportive in good games and poor games, your support goes a long way.

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• All parents commit to attending our athlete parental meeting held in the beginning of the season to assist in being a supportive parent to your athlete and within our organization. Coaches will be hold mid-season meetings with players and parents for reviews and assessments. ​

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• NJ CHALLENGE is committed to being a family-oriented organization, your positive participation is a major part of our success. NJC athletes and families across all teams are one UNIT. All involved in NJC commit to work together to bring out the best in our NJC athletes. This togetherness will resonate amongst the team and show on the field.

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Guesting

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NJ Challenge extends the opportunity for our athletes to guest on a maximum of two outside events throughout the entirety of the 2024-2025 season. These events must not coincide with the scheduled playing or practice days of their NJC team. To maintain fairness and uphold standards, athletes and parents must verify that the team they are guesting for adheres to the guidelines set forth by USSSA, USA, or the respective governing bodies for the event.

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It is imperative that athletes communicate with all of their coaches and notify the NJ Challenge administration via email at njchallengesoftball@gmail.com to ensure complete transparency regarding the dates they will be participating as a guest for another team or event. This collaboration fosters a cooperative and respectful environment among all parties involved.

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Prepared

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Tournament play often starts as early as 8:00AM and can last all day. Games can be played back-to-back, or leave the team having to wait several hours between games. Being prepared for the day/weekend of play is required as an NJC family.

 

Tournament weekends are a great opportunity to interact with other NJC families and create a bond. If you are new to tournament softball and unsure of any aspect please do not hesitate to ask the coaches or other parents for advice. Tournaments are a lot of fun, but can be a difficult experience if not prepared.  

 

At all tournaments, parents are expected to comply with all park/field rules, including the use of alcohol. Most parks/fields prohibit or restrict the use of alcohol without a special permit.

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Dugout Do's

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There are absolutely no dugout visits to your athlete during the game. All of our athletes' focus should remain on field.  Players are not allowed phones once the player has entered the dugout, and for the remainder of the practice/game. Emergencies are the only exception. Also, players are not allowed to leave the dugout during a game to visit a parent. Bathroom situations are the only exception.

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The allowed dugout food items are as follows: gum, seeds, snack/protein bar, and fruit. Larger food items such as chips, sandwiches, fast food, etc., are not allowed in the dugout.

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Playing Time

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Our program’s philosophy is that all players will play in pool play games of tournaments.  However, at this high level of competitive softball, playing time in elimination games is not guaranteed. Playing time will be at the coach’s discretion, and will be determined by a variety of criteria evaluated through games and practices.

 

As we like to say at NJ CHALLENGE and Challenge U. Softball, the athlete decides how much playing time they receive through their attitude, work ethic, skills, continual development, dedication to training on their own time, team attitude, hunger, hustle, and desire. 

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The goal of the NJ CHALLENGE Program is to create self-confident and accountable athletes. This is why we believe that it is always best for our players to communicate directly with their coaches whenever possible (vs. a parent).  We take pride in creating a safe environment where our athlete's can feel comfortable having those sometimes difficult conversations. This will provide them with valuable experiences that will help them off the softball field as young adults.

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Our NJC protocols for playing time is as follows: For each practice missed, the athlete will sit one game. For each game missed, the athlete will sit two games that weekend or the following weekend. Which game is sat is decided by the NJC Coaching Staff.

 

*Please note that we understand special occasions, family functions, etc., are sometimes out of your scheduling control as well as emergencies.  These such events are to be discussed in a timely manner individually with your coaching staff. Being committed to club softball organization such as NJC means you will be held to the highest level of commitment. Advanced notice for such events is a must.

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Injuries

 

Injuries will be taken seriously. It is important that players and parents have open and honest communication with coaches regarding injuries. Playing with soreness and slight pain is part of sports; however, playing injured is not. The health and safety of our players is paramount.

 

If a player is injured, they are required to visit their doctor. A doctor’s note will be required, and the doctor’s orders will be followed by the coach. Injured players are required to attend practices and games.

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Roster

At NJC, we understand the importance of both ample playing time and maintaining full team coverage. To achieve this balance, we hold a roster of 13 athletes. This approach ensures that:

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1. Injury Coverage: With an average of one to two injuries per year, having a roster of 13 athletes allows us to seamlessly cover for any unexpected absences due to injuries, ensuring that the team remains competitive and fully staffed at all times.
   
2. Attendance Adjustments: We recognize that athletes may have various commitments that they are obligated to attend. Our roster size accommodates these obligations, ensuring that there are always enough players available for practices and games without compromising on playing time for each athlete.

By maintaining a roster of 13, we can provide a balanced and supportive environment where all athletes receive ample opportunities to play and develop their skills, while also ensuring the team remains resilient and prepared for any contingencies.

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