FOR NJGSL PARENTS
Required Forms:
PARENT PLEDGE (Positive Coaching Alliance)
ATHLETE COMPETITOR SELF-ASSESSMENT (Positive Coaching Alliance)
Remember: Sportsmanship is an expectation.
NJGSL Softball teams have always benefited from the cheering of parents, family, friends and other spectators at league games. We appreciate this support and expect it will continue this season.
Let the players play,
Let the coaches coach
Let the officials officiate,
and
Let the fans Cheer loudly in support!
NJGSL endorses the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) philosophy. PCA's goal is to change the culture of youth sports so every:
Good sportsmanship should be one of the most important lessons our children will take away from playing youth softball. To this end, positive conduct by spectators helps promote good sportsmanship by players on the field. The converse is also true, and unfortunately, spectator misconduct has become more prevalent in youth sports.
We encourage good 'spectatorship" by remaining positive, showing respect for the umpires and the other teams, and trusting the coaches who work hard with the girls. This will create a supportive environment for all. To learn more, please read "Parents: Interference or Involvement?"
Before your player takes the field on Opening Day, you must complete the NJGSL Code of Conduct Form. Your Coach will take you will hand out and collect the form at a practice.
Your Coach
NJGSL endorses the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) philosophy. PCA's goal is to change the culture of youth sports so every:
- Coach is a Double-Goal Coach who prepares athletes to win and teaches life lessons through sports.Coach is a Double-Goal Coach who prepares athletes to win and teaches life lessons through sports.
- Athlete aspires to be a Triple-Impact Competitor who makes self, teammates, and the game better.Athlete aspires to be a Triple-Impact Competitor who makes self, teammates, and the game better.
- Sports parents become a Second-Goal Parent who concentrates on her child's character development while letting athletes and coaches focus on the game.
Snack Shack
The NJGSL Snack Shack takes cash and credit card and is open during games, tournaments, and events. We are always expanding the menu and work hard to provide the players and fans with great grub!
Contacting the Board
You may contact the board at any time via email (use the "contact us tab). The Board does their best to respond to emails within 24 hours.
During games there will always be one board member on duty - look for him or her.
Click here to learn more about your NJGSL Board.
Equipment
GLOVE (required)
Girls should have their own glove. Parents, if you purchased a new glove please take time to break it in....There are many ways to break in a glove (check out internet or youtube) but general rules to soften the leather are to: oil it up, beat it up, heat it up, store a ball in the pocket and tie a string around it.
CLEATS (Required)
No metal spikes
BLACK SOFTBALL PANTS (Required)
You can have any color during practice but we will require BLACK pants for games.
TEAM SOCKS (Required)
Each team selects team socks based on uniform colors. Team parent coordinates sock purchase.
SOFTBALL/BASEBALL BAG (optional)
Not required to play but you will find that it makes it easier to keep all equipment together.
HELMET (optional)
The league provides helmets but many girls prefer to have their own.
Please note: Helmets must have a face mask.
BAT (optional)
League provides bats
CATCHERS GEAR (optional)
League provides catchers gear
SLIDING SHORTS (optional)
Recommended for 10U & 12U
BATTING GLOVE(S) Optional
Safety
The number one responsibility of your coaching staff is to keep the players safe. Coaches push players to learn more by teaching the many aspects of softball. Some of them come with inherent risk - sliding, batting, even running can lead to injury. Coaches do everything they can to teach in a safe and supervised manner. When accidents happen - being hit by a pitch, or falling while running for example, your coaches priority to to provide care to the player.
Coaches are also responsible for your child during practice. Keep in mind with 10-14 players at practice it is hard for a coach to be aware of every players whereabouts and to meet every parent, sitter, grand parent, uncle, friend, neighbor or caregiver. If anyone other than yourself will collect your child from practice, or games, please let your coach know ahead of time and make sure your coach can get a hold of you if he/she needs to.