Latest Postings

Leaving A Legacy For Youth ( Dorothy Kamm, Yates & Associates )
Herndon Featured Speaker At Nursing Career Fair ( Dorothy Kamm, Yates & Associates )
Coming Together to Serve 2300 Thanksgiving Meals ( Mary Jones )
GRACE PLACE SENIORS VISIT TRBG ( June Marsden )
Red Cross Tips To Avoid House Fires ( Dorothy Kamm, Yates & Associates )

share a story | more postings »

YourHub.com \\ Port Salerno \\ Stories \\ Sports \\ Youth \\ Youth Sports News

Challenger Division Little League Baseball

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

Contributed by: jill marasa on 11/1/2006

The Challenger Division of Little League Baseball is a program for mentally and physically disabled youth to enjoy the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. The philosophy of the Little League Challenger Division is to provide the framework so that every Little League program may offer a structured, athletic activity for all youth in the community.

The Challenger Program began in 1986, when Ed Beardsley approached his son's teacher about forming an athletic after school program. The students, not able to play regular baseball, needed an alternative. The first year five students participated in this informal version of what is now the Little League International Challenger Division. By the end of the first season, fourteen children were playing baseball. Today, more than 27,000 players participate in the Little League Challenger Division.

We are pleased to announce that the Treasure Coast area will have a Challenger Division in the Spring 2007 season. Spearheaded by Martin County North Little League, and working in conjunction with Little League District 17, the surrounding area little leagues, Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged (ARC) and the FAU Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD), we look forward to a wonderful season!

The Challenger Division will provide boys and girls, ages 5 through 22, the opportunity to participate in a safe playing environment and participation in Little League baseball. The focus is on having fun while learning the game of baseball. The rules are modified to include that no score is kept, each player bats every inning, and everyone plays the entire game. The Challenger Division will also include a "buddy" system, in which youth volunteers assist players throughout the season to ensure their safety and success.

Little League registrations will be held in December and January, and the spring season will begin in March and continue through May. All games will be held at Sailfish Park in Stuart on Saturday afternoons, and there is no fee to participate in the Challenger Division. Each player will be provided with a complete uniform and all equipment. Please visit our website at www.eteamz.com/mcn for registration information.

The success of the many Challenger Divisions is when the families share in the enthusiasm for the games and express joy in seeing their children participate, as well as the fun and exciting team oriented environment for the children. We look forward to talking with you about the opportunities this program may offer your child. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or if you would like more information.

We look forward to seeing you at registration!

For volunteer or sponsorship information, please contact us.

Jill Marasa
Challenger Division, Coordinator
(772) 288-6948

Martin County North Little League (772) 219-8080 www.eteamz.com/mcn

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story