Come Join Our Team!
Special Olympics Knights Softball
...Please read page for details...
Registration Is Open
Softball is a bat and ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 15 players. Every team aims to score as many runs as possible against the opponent by striking the ball with a specific bat. Softball is a summer sport where athletes train and compete from March through June.
More info is available at Softball - Special Olympics New Jersey (sonj.org)
Softball is a great and competitive sport for everyone to enjoy from youth to adults.
Athletes must be ages 14 and up to compete and be on the roster.
Ages 12 and up are allowed to join our Practice Squad and practice with the team to learn the game and make friends.
All registrations are on-line. Sorry no walk-up registrations for Special Olympics Softball.
We have a four-step registration process this season.
Please read the entire SONJ Return to Activities webpage.
SONJ Return to Activity Guidelines | Special Olympics New Jersey
1) Complete SONJ Communicable Disease Waiver 2) Complete SONJ Covid-19 Vaccination Questionnaire 3) Submit UT Challenger Sports on-line Registration.
PLAYER ON-LINE REGISTRATION CLICK HERE for 2024 UT Challenger Sports Knights Softball Team
4) Be sure the player's Special Olympic 3-year medical is up to date and submitted.
Medical must be up to date to participate in practice and games. (Keep a completed copy for your records). The pdf version of the medical form is recommended.
https://www.sonj.org/more-than-sports/health/healthy-communities/participation-forms/
Our planned softball practice schedule:
Upper Township Middle School
525 Perry Rd., Woodbine, NJ 08270
Sundays noon-1:30: March 10, 17, 24. April 7
Tuesday evening 5:30-7:00: April 16, 23, 30. May 7, 14, 21, 28 and June 4
Batting cage practice is TBA.
Area 8 league competition starts Saturday April 13th at Mercer County Park 1638 Old Trenton Rd. Parking lot 6 West Windsor Township, NJ. Our exact dates and times are TBA.
Through qualification athletes will be invited to participate in the Special Olympics Summer Games scheduled for June 7,8,9. The Summer Games is a spectacular 3-day event located at The College of NJ and surrounding locations. Athletes will experience competition, sportsmanship, and many fun activities put together by Special Olympics NJ. The Summer Games is truly an amazing experience! Pictures and videos are available on our Facebook page.
OVERNIGHT ATHLETES
Athletes will be allowed to stay in the college dorm rooms with teammates and coaches as overnight athletes (one coach/chaperone per three athletes). Overnight Athletes will be responsible for and must be able to perform their own personal hygiene and independent self-care responsibilities.
DAY ATHLETES
This year athletes will also have the "Day Athlete" option in which the athlete may stay in overnight accommodations off campus with family. Day Athletes must participate with the team at Opening Ceremonies and be at their events ahead of time or risk disqualification.
Families will be able to find lodging in local hotel rooms and it is recommended that you book as early as possible. This is a large event and hotels get booked early.
Parents are required to discuss these lodging options with Challenger Sports Softball Head Coach when league competition starts.
***We will not know which dorms overnight athletes are assigned to until May because of ongoing construction.
***We will need chaperones in order to have overnight athlete option. Max ratio is 3 athletes to 1 chaperone. Please let us know if you can be an overnight chaperone.
***Softball is a summer Special Olympic sport along with track & field. Anyone planning to play on our softball team must participate with Softball at the Summer Games, but can participate in track practice and Area 8 track meet in OC. See Track & Field for info.
Special Olympics does not allow players to be teamed up with buddies (or shadows) as we do in our recreational soccer and baseball programs. Practice will be led by coach and assistant coach.