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Sportsman’s Shanty on the Market
BUILDING FORMERLY OCCUPIED BY SPORTSMAN’S SHANTY AND ANDREW’S BEAUTY SHOP FOR SALE BY PHIL STILTON
As you drive down Chandler Road in Jackson, you can’t miss the iconic old country style ranch that once was the home of the Sportsman’s Shanty and Andrew’s Beauty
Shop. Andrew and Beatrice Borbotko ran the stores together for over 40 years. In March of 2016, 81 year-old Beatrice passed away. Later that year, which is a story we hear so frequently with elderly couples deeply in love with each other, Andrew passed away at the age of 84. Andrew was a Korean War veteran, serving in the United States Air Force. The saloon looking frontage of the building that we’re all familiar hides
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a rustic ranch home at the back end of the building. The Borbotko family has chosen to sell the home and selected Exit 98 Realty Realtor Irvin “Yitz” Pollack for the sale.
Pollack said about the listing. During its time of operation, Andrew’s Beauty Shop and the Sportsman’s Shanty made for an odd business combination. While many thought at first that the sporting goods store was Andrews and the Beauty salon Beatrice’s, it was in fact built as Andy’s Beauty Shop. Initially the Borbotko’s wanted to rent the second retail space out, but one year after being built, in 1975, the couple decided to open the Sportsman’s Shanty. As time went on the Shanty became a hot spot for local hunters, fishermen and even paintball enthusiasts. It was a traditional American mom and pop operation Pollack said one of the unique whose roots can be traced features of the property is that back to 1962 where the couit can also double as a rental ple operated a beauty shop income business. It is zoned neighborhood commercial with two storefronts the new owners can either utilize for their own business or lease to tenants. In the rear, in the home area, there’s a two car garage and full basement with ample parking in the front and rear. “It’s a great property for anyone looking for a house that also has income potential,”
on Applegate Road. What the future holds is unknown as the building is for sale, but Pollack said he hopes he can help the Borbotko family find new owners with an entrepreneurial spirit and vision to write the next chapter in the history of the iconic structure. The property is listed for $495,000 which Pollack said is a very good price considering it’s a home with two retail storefronts attached, somewhat of an oddity in today’s real estate landscape. It’s located a short distance from the bustling intersection of Chandler Road and Jackson Mills Road which the locals refer to as “Five Corners”. Nearby is the popular Solo Bela Restaurant, two pizzerias, including Giuseppe’s, a convenience store, liquor store and barber shop. Like this story? Are you a real estate agent selling a unique property or want to get more results for your listing? Call us at the Shore News Network and ask about our many media tools and services available to help get more out of your listings. 732-575-4891 or email news@shorenewsnetwork.com.
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Adventurous Plan to Build Hotels, Sports Complex and More Announced in Jackson After nearly one half century, it’s finally happening. A hotel will be built in Jackson Township to accommodate Six Flags Great Adventure and a future sports complex. Hilton and Adventure Sports & Entertainment, announced today a new development deal for its upscale yet affordable global brand, Hilton Garden Inn.
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The 134-room, 5-story hotel will be located at 567 Monmouth Road, Jackson, New Jersey 08527, located just off of State Highway I-195 Exit 16A. Construction is expected to begin by September 10, 2018, with completion slated for March of 2020. “Jackson, New Jersey is the perfect location for our newest property and the latest
addition to the Hilton Garden Inn brand,” said developer Vito Cardinale, President and CEO Cardinale Enterprises. “We’re eager to get started on bringing this project to life and welcoming new travelers to the area visiting not only the Adventure Sports & Entertainment complex, but also Six Flags Great Adventure Theme Park, which is adjacent to the property, enhanced even further with our addition of a 10,000 square foot banquet and event space within the hotel portion of the project.” Jackson Township Mayor, Michael Reina, was so pleased with the hotel project and the expansive, all-inclusive sports complex “Adventure Sports & Entertainment” that it will service; he was quoted saying “Jackson’s future has arrived”. Along with the hotel, Jackson Township recently approved a large sports complex that will become a sports tourism destination. The complex will
host a variety of sports tournaments. Former U.S. Olympian and professional women’s softball player Crystl Bustos has recently announced her “Ruthless” softball program will operate out of the facility. Check back this weekend for an in-depth interview with Bustos regarding her plans in Jackson. Reina said that this is the start of Jackson’s new future. “It’s a great thing for the town and finally after all the years of talking about it, it’s finally happening,” Reina said. The hotel will offer amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, a 24-hour business center, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a full- service restaurant serving cooked-to-order breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with cocktails in the lobby lounge and a list of other in-room amenities that are appealing to those traveling for business or leisure (continued)...
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Sports Complex, Hotels Coming to Jackson as serving the local communities and their families visiting the area for sports tournaments or Six Flags Great Adventure. Each guestroom boasts the brand’s signature bedding featuring fresh, white duvets and crisp linens and an in-room “hospitality center” with a mini fridge, microwave oven as well as a Keurig coffee maker. Hilton Garden Inn, Jackson, NJ, will be part of Hilton Honors, the award-winning guest-loyalty program for Hilton’s 14 distinct hotel brands. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels save time and money, and, gain instant access to the benefits
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they care about most, such as an exclusive member discount, free Wi-Fi and a flexible payment slider that allows members to choose nearly any combination of Points and money to book a stay. Members can also redeem their Points for free nights, to gain access to unique events through the Hilton Honors auction platform or to make purchases at Amazon.com with Amazon Shop with Points. For more information, or to make reservations, please visit Hilton Garden Inn, Jackson, NJ, with Hyperlink to www. hiltongardeninn.com or call 1 855-516-1091.
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POLICE & FIRE
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Howell Police Commend Moviegoers During Xscape Theater Bomb Scare A bomb scare at the local Howell Xscape movie theater turned out to be a false alarm according to police here. According to witnesses, moviegoers were interrupted after three men walked into the theater with backpacks on and plugged a backpack into an electrical outlet inside one of the theaters as a movie was playing. Moviegoers confronted the three men. Jackson resident John Maneri was in the theater at the time of the event. Maneri said as a man was confronting the three men, others in the theater began panicking over the backpack plugged into the wall. He said somebody in the theater yelled “Oh my God, get out and run!” Panic ensued. Maneri said he and his girlfriend exited the theater along with the other moviegoers, but as he and other safely reached the exit, he heard a scream coming from within the theater. He ran in and saw a woman who had tripped and fallen, so he said he helped her out of the theater. Police locked down the theater and detained a person who they determined to be the source of the scare.
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According to police, the subject who is a caretaker for a disabled person in a wheelchair entered a theatre towards the end of a movie. This caused the alert patrons to become suspicious. The caretaker had a backpack that contained a large heavy battery for the electric wheelchair. Apparently he placed the backpack down causing a sound similar to a gunshot. Patrons immediately evacuated the theatre while calling 9-1-1. Besides the 10 Howell patrol units, Lakewood and Jackson Police provided assistance. All of the officers were used to clear the entire theatre, parking lot and surrounding areas. Southard Fire, Howell First Aid Squad and Howell Police EMS were also on scene. “We thank all agencies involved for their assistance. We also acknowledge the patrons who thought there was something suspicious and did something about it,” said Chief Andrew Kudrick. “They didn’t ignore it. Although this was not a legitimate incident, all the patrons thought it was at the time. This is another example why it is so important if you see something, say something.”
PUBLIC SAFETY
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County Officials Urge Preparedness as Hurricane Season Begins As this year’s hurricane season begins, Ocean County officials are urging residents to prepare ahead of time. While the hurricane season begins June 1, the threat of potential hurricanes traditionally increases late in the summer months with a relatively high incidence of hurricanes until the end of November. The height of the season typically occurs in late August and during the month of September although tropical systems can develop at any point. “We have learned many valuable lessons from Superstorm Sandy which devastated the area in October of 2012,” said Ocean County Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “We know that being prepared is the key to our safety and taking the time to make sure you have a plan in case of an emergency could be lifesaving if disaster strikes.”
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According to the National Weather Service, the primary hazards of a hurricane are storm surge flooding, inland flooding from heavy rains, destructive winds, tornadoes, and high surf and rip currents. “As a coastal area, it is imperative that residents and visitors of Ocean County are aware of the risks
that are faced during a hurricane, tropical storm or a nor’easter,” said Ocean County Sheriff Michael G. Mastronardy. “Knowing how to prepare before a storm, how to take action as the storm approaches and even knowing what to do during a storm are all types of questions to think about to be better prepared in case of danger.” Every home should have a portable Disaster Supplies Kit at all times, which should be updated every six months. The kit should include: a gallon of drinking water a day for each person, prescription drugs and special dietary foods, a supply of non-perishable foods, a first aid kit, a battery powered radio, flashlights, and extra batteries. In addition to having a Disaster Supplies Kit, it is important to have Animal Supply Kits and Take-Along Bags for service animals and pets. Pet kits should include: a two-week supply of water and food, non-spill food and water dishes, cage/carrier labeled with contact information, favorite toys and treats, leash, collar and harness, litter, litter pan, paper towels and plastic baggies, and pet medication. It is also advised to make sure that your pets and service animals have current ID tags, and that their vaccinations are current. A plan as to how your pets will be cared for if you have to evacuate, as well as keeping them confined or securely leashed during or after a disaster will help them from being confused or frightened. Furthermore, officials encourage residents with disabilities or access and functional needs to sign up for Register Ready. Register Ready is
New Jersey’s Special Needs registry for disasters that would provide information to emergency response agencies so emergency responders can better plan to serve them in a disaster or other emergency. “Register Ready is a free, voluntary program that allows for extra preparation in the case of a major emergency,” Kelly said. “It will not only help our residents who may need assistance but it will also provide information to emergency responders so that residents could be checked on during weather events.” “The Ocean County Office of Emergency Management under the direction of Sheriff Mastronardy does a great job providing resources during an emergency,” Kelly said. “Residents should also keep up on the National Weather Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for information as the hurricane risk heightens.” Advisories to stay alert for are a “hurricane watch” and a “hurricane warning.” A hurricane watch is issued when hurricane conditions including sustained winds of 74 miles per hour or greater are possible within 48 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when the conditions are expected within 36 hours. In coastal or near-coastal areas, a hurricane warning can remain in effect when dangerously high water and exceptionally high waves continue even though the wind may have subsided below hurricane intensity. “Residents can use the Health Department’s Emergency Preparedness Disaster Tips pamphlet as a guideline for their own preparations,” Little said. “It is a great starting point to make sure your family is aware of the steps to take in case of an emergency.” Information on emergency preparedness can also be found on the Ocean County Government webpage at www.co.ocean.nj.us and by clicking on the ‘Be Prepared’ link. This is a special area on the website dedicated to emergency management. Residents can get up to the minute updates on emergencies in the county before, during and after a storm.
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IN OUR SCHOOLS
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2018!
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IN OUR SCHOOLS
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2018!
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Former Student Plotted Mass Killing at New Egypt High School Graduation
The Plumsted Township Police Department announced he arrest of Matthew Vanderbeek, 19, of Cream Ridge, NJ. He is charged with 3rd degree Terroristic Threats with a Threat to Kill and 2nd degree Attempting to Possess a Firearm for an Unlawful Purpose. On 06/19/2018, Detective
Anthony Ringle was called to investigate an alleged threat made by a New Egypt High School student to shoot students and staff at the school’s graduation ceremony. The investigation quickly identified Matthew Vanderbeek as the suspect who allegedly utilized social media to communicate his intention to shoot school
students and staff. A search warrant was approved and authorized to search Vanderbeek’s Hyacinth Court residence to check for weapons, additional evidence of the crime and to attempt to seize any communications made via phone or computer. The search warrant and follow-up investigation verified the threats by Vanderbeek and found additionally that he was attempting to obtain a firearm. He was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Ocean County Jail where he was lodged pending a detention hearing. Assisting in this investigation was Detective. Brant Uricks from the Ocean County Prosecutors office and Ocean
County Sheriff Crime Scene Investigation Unit. The Plumsted Township Police Department wants to make it clear that there is no present threat to the Plumsted Township School system or the graduation ceremony. It was later determined that Vanderbeek had sought to buy a gun from Pinelands Sporting Goods in Jackson. He had made numerous threats to commit the act before police were able to charge him. The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Wanted for Vandalism
The Jackson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect involved in the criminal mischief of a realtor’s sign which was located on Clearstream Road. On Tuesday June 19, 2018, Police Officer Louis Notare responded to Clearstream Road where a small subdivision is being built by a realty company. It was reported by a nearby resident that the company signs at the site had been knocked over and damaged on other dates and on the date of the report, one sign appeared that it had been attempted to
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be burned. Further investigation revealed that a camera had been placed in the area and had captured images of a tattooed male suspect with dark hair causing damage to the sign during the evening hours on June 18th (please see attached photos). Anyone with information of this incident or of the identity of this suspect is asked to contact Jackson Police Det. Keith Hood. Tips can also be sent anonymously to the Jackson Police Department through the P3 Tips mobile phone app.
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My Fall From The Top
FORMER JACKSON RESIDENT’S STORY ABOUT HOW HE SUCCUMBED TO AND EVENTUALLY OVERCAME ADDICTION BY RICHIE LAPINSKI, JR.
I recently celebrated two years of being sober. I grew up on the Jersey Shore and lived in Jackson for a short time off of County Line Road. I hope my story will help someone still struggling with addiction. I grew up in Bayonne, It’s my home and where my entire family is from. My father was deputy chief of the Jersey City Fire Department, president of the youth football league and my little league coach growing up. My mother was a stay at home mom and ran the youth cheer leading program there. She made sure I never went without and all my needs were met. I went to CCD, played sports every season and had many friends. I loved growing up in Bayonne. I pretty much had a perfect childhood. In high school my family moved to a beautiful town on the jersey shore called Manasquan. It was literally the perfect place to live and go to high school. I excelled there I
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became an all state football player and all county baseball player. I earned 12 varsity letters and won four state championships. I was Vice President of my class, member of the peer leadership program, member of the gold key club and national honor society. I was recruited by prestigious schools like Harvard, Princeton, Bucknell and so on. Wall township was our rival and our Thanksgiving games with them were and still are the best moments of my life even though we lost and Wall ended our 34 game winning streak. I received a scholarship to play football at Lehigh university. Up until this point in my life most things came easy to me. I was a happy and successful person. Although I had many advantages growing up, a supportive family, healthy living environment and lots of friends I eventually would fall victim to opiate addiction. I began using pain killers not understanding that they would eventually destroy my life. My addiction progressed and I started using heroin. I dropped out of school and began committing illegal acts. Eventually I was sentenced 3 years in state prison. Even after spending years in prison clean from drugs when I was released I went back to using and destroying my life. I spent nearly 10 years of my life addicted to drugs. I was completely lost and living in
hell on earth. I put my family through so
ing my story and spreading the message that there is a solution to this terrible problem that is affecting so many families and especially young people. I am able to help people get the help they need. I have a purpose today and I wake up excited and motivated to help my fellow addict and alcoholic that is still suffering. I am living proof that recovery is possible. Please if you or someone you know or love is suffering from addiction or alcoholism I ask much pain and embarrassthem to contact me. There is a ment. I was lost and could not solution. Reach out before it is get back to being my true self. too late. I wish I had reached I almost gave up. out much earlier than I had. Today I have two years clean and sober from drugs and Richie Lapinski spent many of alcohol. his years addicted here in JackI found a treatment center son and wants to reach out to that got me the help I needed. help teens and young adults in I went through a safe detox, Jackson and surrounding towns received counseling for all the from falling into the same cycle shame regret and guilt I was he had endured. He said if living with and was providyou have questions he is there ed with the proper aftercare to take your calls and help you program that would help me through your own crisis. He become a productive memcan be reached at 561-660ber of the community. I have 4537. earned back my families trust. I am able to be the brother, the son , the friend and the uncle that drugs did not allow me to be for so long. I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous and I witness miracles everyday. I am able to witness people that are struggling terribly become happy, confident and living beautiful productive lives. I’ve seen families reunited. Ive seen young adults that have been on drugs since the age of fifteen go back to college and become responsible adults. Today I spend my life tell-
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Wilson Qualifies for 3 Team USA Events UCLA freshman standout Alyssa Wilson made history at this weekend’s USATF Junior Championships, winning both the hammer and shot put while finishing second in the discus to become the first junior woman ever to qualify for Team USA in three throwing events. The successful weekend continued what has been a breakout campaign for Wilson, who was the lone athlete to qualify in three individual events at the 2018 NCAA Outdoor Track Championships despite being a true freshman. She scored in two of those three events (hammer, shot put) to lead the Bruin women to a top-15 team finish. “It was very impressive to see Alyssa’s hard work pay off this weekend,” said UCLA throws coach John Frazier. “From the
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dividual championships for the meet on Saturday, as she continued her fine form in the hammer with a first place finish of 66.33m (217-7), not far behind the lifetime-best 66.99m mark she recorded at the NCAA Championships to record a fourth place finish. Her three fair throws in Saturday’s event were the three longest individual marks recorded by the entire field. She finished up her weekend beginning, it was her idea to the weekend’s meet, hosted at with a 16.80m (55-1.5) toss to take home the women’s shot continually do three events the University of Indiana, with throughout our competitions a second-place showing in the put crown on Sunday. This will for the year. I kept reminding discus on Friday. Her top mark be Wilson’s third time representing Team USA in the shot put, her about being smart in the came with a second-attempt as she previously did so in both weight room and in organizing throw of 53.84m (176-8), the 2016 and 2017. our training sessions in order to fourth time this year that she avoid burning out or overdoing has hit the 53-meter mark. Originally published by UCLA it. Looking back, it has paid off.” The Jackson, N.J. native Athletics. photo: Don Liebig Wilson opened her action for notched one of her two in-
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2018 Little League Baseball and Softball Champions Crowned
North Carolina Defeats Georgia Tech to win Major Softball Title
Coaches Kevin Robinson and Paul Ammerman led their major league division girls to a championship this year at Holbrook Little League Softball. The Tarheels defeated the Yellow Jackets in two games of a best out of three championship series.
The Holbrook Little League Giants won the 2018 Major League division championship in June defeating the first place Pirates by a score of 5-4. Both teams finished their seasons with a 14-2 record. The Giants lineup included five hitters who batted over .500 for the season, Riley DeGregio, Danny Elias, Donovan Louis Jaques, Nicky Arena and Gavin DeGegorio.
Toneske Hits 17 Home Runs to become all-time Holbrook Leader Holbrook Little Leaguer Zaine Toneske became the all-time home run leader at Holbrook Little League this spring after hitting an amazing 17 home runs this season. Zaine plays for the Phillies this season. To make the feat even more amazing, 2018 was the first year after Little League International changed bat regulations to dull down the bats and lower the exit speed after years of batter dominance in the league.
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The Illinois Fighting Illini were crowned champions of the Holbrook Little League Minor League Softball season. The team was managed by Alex Tsapp and coach Heather Tsapp.
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Jackson Wildcats Win Father’s Two Jackson Based Teams Day Softball Tournament Clash in State Championship
The Jackson Wildcats defeated the Hamilton Hurricanes by a score of 7-4 on Sunday winning first place at the 2018 West Windsor Ninjas “Fight for First” Father’s Day fast-pitch softball tournament. Jessica Cannestro (Jackson Liberty), led the Wildcats at the plate going 2 for 2 with a triple in the championship, driving in three runs. Arianna Loftus (Southern Regional) went 2 for three and scored two runs. Shayla Nagle (Jackson Memorial) went 1 for 1 with an rbi. Sophia Powers got the win on the mound for the Wildcats pitching 4.1 innings in relief, allowing just 4 hits and no runs.
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The Jersey Assassins won the 2018 USA Softball New Jersey 14U A division championship this weekend with a 13-0 shutout against Diamonds to Boardroom, also based out of Jackson Township. Kate Struz (Howell MS South) pitched a one hit shut out for the Assassins. Ella Moore (Brick Memorial MS) and Erin Stilton (Jackson Liberty HS) led the Assassin’s run production with 4 rbi apiece on Sunday. Paige Nolan (Manchester High School) pitched two games to get the Assassins to the final, winning both, maintaining a 1.75 era and striking out 11 batters over 12 innings. Struz struck out 10 over 11 innings during the weekend championship tournament.
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Olympians Bringing Ruthless Softball to Adventure Sports in Jackson OLYMPIC AND PROFESSIONAL SOFTBALL PLAYERS BRINGING TRAINING PROGRAM TO JACKSON BY PHIL STILTON When Crystl Bustos was twelve years old, she was turning heads in the softball community of southern California. She had everything going right for her. She was one of the top rated softball players in the country and she was on her way to playing Division I college softball…or so she thought. Although she later went on to power Team USA softball to two Olympic gold medals and a silver medal, her road to Olympic and professional softball success was long and hard. Now, she’s bringing her brand of hard-hitting softball to the Garden State to help girls in New Jersey to follow their dreams of playing next-level softball. Bustos operates Ruthless Softball, now with teams in California, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada and Texas and this summer, with teams forming for the fall season. Bustos is a former NPF profession-
al softball player and the all-time Olympic world record holder for home runs. In softball circles, she is referred to as “The Big Bruiser”. Everyone who knows softball knows Crystl Bustos. Many girls even began their softball playing days swinging a DiMarini Bustos edition softball bat.
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Team Ruthless is heading east. Whenever she talks about the program, you can feel the excitement and passion in her voice. “What we do at Ruthless is bring in a team of Olympians, pro athletes and accomplished college players that are well knowledged in their specialties to pass that on to the girls in our program,” Bustos said. “Each Ruthless team member that we bring in specializes in a specific softball category.” Bustos said her national level training team helps girls in the program excel at their desired path in softball whether they play infield, pitch or want to become top outfielders in their trade. “Ruthless players get some of the best training from professionals who have been where these girls want to go,” she said. “This is nothing against teams with coaches who are parents who played Little League ball, or high school ball. Those coaches put in a lot of hard work and a lot of hours with their girls, they do a great job. They do what they can do with the limited budgets that are available to them. Our instructors and coaches have been where these kids are and know how to help them get where they want to go. We take softball to the next level.” Bustos said while she manages several teams across America, she’s not going to be just a name on a
with Bustos and features a star studded lineup of trainers in the program that reads like a who’s who in Olympic, collegiate and National Pro Fast-pitch softball. In addition to Bustos who won two gold medals and a silver across three Olympic Games, she brings with her Leah Amico Brian, a three time gold medalist and former player at Arizona State. She’s joined by fellow three time Olympian Lori Harrigan and twotime Olympians Natasha Watley and Lovie Jung. Superstar Olympian Jenny Topping, Andrea Duran, Amanda Kamekona, Sierra Romero and Bailey Landry. Former Tennessee Volunteers ace banner and uniform or a no-show Monica Abbott will also be helping director to the girls in the program. Adventure Sports around their new “When you join Ruthless, you’re facility to be built next year in Jacknot just getting a jersey with my son. Allan Proske, who operates name on it, you’re becoming part Adventure Sports currently operates of a national family of talented the ASE Intensity softball program. girls who want to succeed, trained Bustos said her program is also by some of the best trainers out geared towards helping girls there,” she said. She said she’s achieve their dreams of playing very hands on with all of her college softball. programs. “My role in the organization is I come and do everything to set up the teams at the local level. I lay down the structure for all of our teams,” she added. “Across the country, people start local teams and realize they need to get to the next level and they give their teams to the Ruthless program. I make sure that these coaches fully trust us to continue teaching these young ladies and give them the training and coaching they expect coming into this.” If anyone knows how hard it is Bustos said that each team is to play college ball, Bustos knows. run under her strict guidelines and Despite being a standout player in coaches are personally trained by high school with a reputation for her and her staff and that includes being a ruthless home run hitter, how coaches react both on and off Bustos didn’t make the grade. D-I the field. offers were being sent to her in She and her staff frequent the bulk. Bustos admits she never had program’s training centers nation- the proper foundation behind her wide. to drive her to do better in school Olympic Lineup Behind Team Bus- and to become aware of how imtos, Ruthless Softball and Adventure portant academics are in the world Sports and Entertainment of collegiate softball. Adventure Sports and Entertainment in Jackson, has partnered CONTINUED
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Softball Stars Bringing Program to Jackson “We would just put those letters in a drawer,” she said. She never expected that her dream college, UCLA wouldn’t accept her because she didn’t make the grade. That’s exactly what happened. “You can be the best softball player in the world, but if you don’t have the grades, you can’t play,” she said. “A lot of coaches will say they’ll do this and that and they’ll get their kids into college…no,” she said. “That’s not how it works. As coaches, we can only open doors for the girls, but it’s ultimately up to them.” Get the latest New Jersey Youth Sports Softball News Here. Utilizing the Power of Social Media Bustos said she is not only a
Monica Abbot frequent flyer, traveling across the country to work with her local teams, but said she personally interfaces with every girl in the program through social media regularly. “All of our girls are required to create softball social media profiles and post their accomplishments, videos, pictures of them playing the game,” Bustos said. “Every day, I check in on all of them, make sure they are doing the right thing and I look at their videos and I’ll personally respond to them…this is great…great job…or if necessary I’ll let them know if they are doing something wrong or can do it better…I’m always connected to all of my girls.” Ruthless also offers a national program for college recruiting and trains their girls on how to make recruiting profiles that will have a positive impact on their collegiate pursuit. Bustos said the girls in the program are going to learn how to get noticed and how to avoid the
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pitfalls she has seen others make in the past. “If a girl wants to play college softball, her public social media profile should be just about that,” she said. “It’s only to be used for softball purposes and I want to see it. I watch all their posts and all of their videos.” “Sometimes adults see things in a different light than kids too and they don’t understand the impact something can have on them later,” she said. “Keep everything positive, think twice before you post something on social media.” She said parents should closely monitor their child’s social media accounts if they are serious about playing collegiate softball. “When it comes to playing softball in a DI or DII level college program, Bustos said many people don’t realize how hard it is or what’s expected of them. A lot of times, she said parents and players often either don’t understand what they want or don’t realize what they need to do to get there. She also said girls don’t have to chase the DI dream to be successful softball players and accomplished adults later in life. “Kids don’t understand that you have to go to school where you fit. They have to look at the schools they’re interested in and see if they have the education they want, but also look at the teams,” she said. “Look at who is on the roster. You might want to play at a certain school, but is your position even available? Do they need somebody with a certain skill set for the team?” She said first and foremost, college decisions should be made on academics. “People don’t understand, I was a top recruited player, one of the top Blue Chip players in the country, but I couldn’t get recruited because of my academics,” she
said. Instead of giving up, Bustos attended a junior college, improved her grades and made a name for herself as a softball player, performing daily on and off the field and wooing spectators with her sheer power and dominance of the game. She reminds parents and players that there are millions of girls playing softball across America and not many college softball scholarships are available, but said it’s up to the girls themselves to open those doors. “They have to work hard and play on the field as hard as they can every time they’re out there and doors will open,” she said. “They also have to do good in school.” Even if you have the grades and can play on the field, Bustos said college coaches want player who are coachable. She stressed coachability when talking about what coaches desire in a prospect. Girls in her program area expected to be pushed 100% both on the field and off the field. She said each marking period, they are required to provide their coaches with report cards and she even looks at them. “Our program maintains a 3.8 average GPA nationwide,” she said. “It’s important to the program that the girls maintain good grades.” “Education is our message,” she said. “Open your eyes and doors will open, but only if you work hard and put yourself out there. Know what you want to study… know what you want to become after school. We give the kids the tools but at the end of the day, they have to get themselves to college through their hard work.” Bustos said too many times, a problem travel programs run into is that they shut out parents from the decision making process and routine affairs of the sport. “Too many coaches have a ‘my way or the highway’ approach and don’t open the doors to the parents,” she said. “That’s just the way things are, but we try to educate our parents and coaches that while it may seem that way, we know it’s very hard for the girls to excel when the parents are shut out. Parents play a large role in the development of these
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girls and we keep that door open, however we also want parents to know why we may do certain things, but there’s too much second guessing of coaches these days and by educating parents, we can eliminate some of that and they will be more on board with what we’re doing.” In New Jersey, Bustos said there will be no more than 10 teams from ages 10 through 18. She said the lower age brackets will serve as feeders to the top tiered teams. The Bustos travel team and softball training program will eventually be based out of Jackson Township’s new Adventure Sports and Entertainment facility with the help Allan Proske , expected to open in 2019 . Proske currently operates the ASE Intensity Softball program and utilizes Ruthless trainers already for his teams. The training at Adventure Sports isn’t limited just to Ruthless. Proske said. Training will be open to all teams who want to bring their programs to that next level and his vision is that the facility, which includes indoor training centers and outdoor turf fields will be a regional tournament destination for softball and other sports. Often Bustos is asked about the name Ruthless in a sport dominated by girls and women, but she defends her name choice, saying it’s about how the girls play on the field. “Girls need to understand that on the field, they need to play free, play hard and play ruthless,” she said. “If you want to play at the next level, it’s not the time to be a little girl out on the field, but to be an athlete…play confident…play hard.” She said the phoenix is the program’s logo because it’s a symbol that the girls in the program will rise above both on and off the field. “We’ll teach you how to play the game, keep your head up and rise up to any challenges in life,” she said. Bustos will be in New Jersey for her team’s tryouts on August 1st through the 3rd. You can learn more about Ruthless Softball here. You can also email Crystl through Ruthless softball at ruthlesssoftballnj@gmail.com.
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