NJ District 3 Little League: Challenger Division Little League
Tuesday, January 20Little Leauge Mid-Atlantic Challenger Jamboree
Local Little League administrators, parents and special needs children will gather in Ewing, N.J., on June 6-7, 2009, to participate in the Mid-Atlantic Challenger Jamboree. This Little League event is one of several to be hosted in the coming months by Little League Baseball and Softball at various locations across the country. The Challenger Division, which was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball and Softball, enables boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities, ages 5-18 or the completion of high school, to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. The Jamboree is aimed at sharing Little League's services and educational materials with local leagues chartering Challenger Division teams, while giving the Little Leaguers the opportunity to play games. Local Little League volunteers will be coordinating the event. There are nearly 1,800 teams and more than 26,000 players in Little League's Challenger Division. Chartered Little Leagues can host their own Challenger team or teams. A district-wide program also is a possibility. In this structure, networking among leagues is greatly improved as players and teams throughout a district come together for games. More information on the Mid-Atlantic Region Challenger Jamboree can be found by contacting Ron Tola, at: (609) 587-6808; or by email. Additional information on the Little League Challenger Division can be found by logging on to the Little League International website at: www.LittleLeague.org. Back to Index and Top of Page
North Vineland Little League Challenger Division
Vineland Rotary Club, together with the North Vineland Little League is looking for eligible players and coaches to participate in the Challenger Division of Little League for the 2009 spring season. Established by Little League baseball in 1989, the challenger program enables physically and mentally challenged boys and girls ages 5 through 18 to enjoy the game of baseball with children the same age or ability. Games will be held at The Rotary Center, a handicapped accessible facility, located at Cunningham Park, West Avenue & Wheat Road, consists of handicapped accessible restrooms and locker rooms, a meeting room, kitchen and concession stand area, restrooms and storage space. Teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age and can include as many as 15-20 players who can participate in one of three levels: Tee-Ball, Coach-Pitch or Player-Pitch. Each player gets a chance at bat. The side is retired when the offense has batted through the roster, w hen a predetermined number of runs have been scored, or when three outs are recorded. Little League recommends that no score be kept during games. The Challenger players wear the same uniforms and safety equipment as other Little League players.
The Challenger League will be available to all mentally and physically challenged youth in Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem & Atlantic County. Player Registrations Are Free and Accepted Year-Round.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, Contact Lou Tramontana, Sr. at 856-691-2442, or by email at: vinelandrotary@comcast.net
The Rotary has information on their website that explains the Challenger League at North Vineland Little League, Vineland Rotary Web Site or you can go to the North Vineland Little League website HERE.
Feel free to contact us if you need any more information.
Lou Tramontana at 856-691-2442
Nelson Ocasio (NVLL President) at 856-794-8806
The history of the Challenger Division can be found HERE
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March 2007
Dear League Official:
The Challenger Division of Little League Baseball and Softball was created in 1989 to offer boys and girls ages five to 18 with physical and mental disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the game of baseball. Playing with standard equipment on regular fields, players learn not only the fundamentals of baseball, but also how it feels to be part of a team. The most fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to give everyone a chance to play, regardless of limitations.
In an effort to provide more children with the opportunity to play baseball, I am asking for your support in creating new Challenger Division programs in your leagues. These programs enjoy the same benefits as all other Little League divisions including the same registration fee of $16 and low-cost accident insurance. In addition, Little League also provides related materials at no cost, including rule books, brochures, posters and a DVD. If questions arise regarding anything related to this program, staff is available at Little League International in Williamsport, Pa., to assist you.
Finally, I think its important to point out that a Challenger program will benefit t not only the physically and mentally disabled children in your community, but will enrich the lives of other participants in your Little League program. A Challenger Division team encourages the use of buddies for Challenger players. The buddies assist players at-bat, or on the field when necessary, and encourage them to make plays themselves whenever possible. Little League aims to build self-esteem, foster teamwork and fair play think of how a Challenger program in your community will encourage these values.
Please take a moment to go to the link below to view a brochure about the Challenger Division.
Challenger Division Brochure
Please feel free to call me at any time to discuss setting up a new Challenger Division in your league. Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.
Very truly yours,
Jim Ferguson
Director of the Challenger Division
Little League International
P.O. Box 3485
539 US Route 15 Hwy
Williamsport, PA 17701-0485
Phone: 570-326-1921
Fax: 570-326-1074