Challenger

Challenger Overview

The Little League Challenger Division® is Little League’s adaptive baseball program.  This year, the Challenger Division is being sponsored by Copley Motorcars. This will once again allow us to offer the program at no cost to participants.

This fun and instructional league will teach basic skills of baseball & softball.  Players will participate in drills, games and be part of a team.  Challenger is geared toward children with neurodivergent profiles and/or physical or intellectual differences but inclusive of any player who requires support to play the game.

The fundamental goal of the Little League Challenger Division is to provide an environment where participants can learn and enjoy the game of baseball in an environment structured to their abilities. Challenger Division participants have the opportunity to experience the joys of pulling together as a team and hearing the cheers of the crowd. In addition to learning the game of baseball, Challenger participants will learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play.

Buddies are used to assist players in the areas of batting, fielding and base running when necessary.  In addition to assisting players, buddies should also help teach players baseball skills and fundamentals. It is important to remember that the role of the buddy is to assist when necessary and to help the participants learn the game, not to play the game for the participants.

The baseball skills and abilities of players on a typical Challenger team may vary greatly.  The coach of each team should work with the players and buddies to set individual goals for each player.  For some players, a goal may be learning how to throw a baseball, while for others a goal may be learning to field a ground ball, catch a fly ball or swing the bat without the assistance of a buddy.  Some players may even work towards improving their abilities so that they do not need regular assistance from a buddy.  As players improve their baseball skills, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment as they achieve their goals.

Also new this year, we have a committee of adult volunteers who will run the weekly practice and game.

Challenger Committee:

  • Joe Bigda
  • Meredith Lopez
  • Brian Lopez
  • Kristen Morrill
  • Dan Powers
  • Victor Saratella

When: Saturdays from 3pm to 4pm

April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18, June 1, June 8

Where: The Turf Diamond at Memorial

Eligibility:

Player: Ages 4-18 years (Up to 22-year-old if still enrolled in school)

Buddies: Little League Age 12 or older

Cost: Free

All players will receive a team hat and t-shirt.

Register: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/418808

Questions?

Email Registrar @ vsaratella@gmail.com