Little League Central Region: Challenger Program
Thursday, June 182009 Central Region Challenger Jamboree FINALLY sees the Sun!
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For the first time in at least 3 years, the Central Region Challenger Jamboree didn't involve rain! About 60 participants from leagues in Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan and Indiana joined us for a fun-filled weekend of baseball! Ashland National Little League-KY, Moraine-West Carrollton Little League-OH, Lowell Little League-IN, Indiana Central Little League-IN, Michigan District 1 and Indiana District 11 all sent representatives.
Thanks so much to the volunteers in each of those leagues who work so diligently to make the program possible.
The weekend included five baseball games, an opening ceremonies in which each participant received a medallion , indoor games with lots of prizes, a picnic on Saturday afternoon and a pizza party Saturday evening. Additionally each participant received a goodie bag filled with donated items.
A BIG Little League thank you to the Central Region volunteers who are dedicated to making the event so special. What a great bunch of big-hearted people!!
A special thanks to all those who donated items for goodie bags and items for the raffle. Also, thanks to Indianapolis Fire Department EMS personnel who assisted us with the event.
Click here to view the event in pictures!
Tuesday, April 3
So, What is the Challenger Program?
The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball to enable 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.
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, or when a pre-determined number of runs has 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, shoulder patches and safety equipment as other Little League players.
The registration fee for the Challenger Division is $16.00 per team (same as for all other divisions of Little League). Accident insurance is set at the same low cost as other Little League divisions and is available through Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
One of the benefits of having a Challenger Division is that it encourages the use of "buddies" for the Challenger players. The buddies assist the Challenger players on the field but whenever possible, encourage the players to bat and make plays themselves. However, the buddy is always nearby to help when needed.