Mill Creek Little League Introduces It’s New Challenger Program for the 2009 Season 

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 before 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 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, shoulder patches and safety equipment as other Little League players. 

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. 

This season Mill Creek Little League will be signing up athletes to play on our Challenger Teams. These teams will interleague with other District 1 Challenger teams. There is no fee to play on the Mill Creek Little League Challenger team as this division is subsidized by Little League International.  

For more information about the Challenger program please visit the Little League International site at

http://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/divisions/challenger_brochurelocalweb_08.pdf  

or read about the Challenger Program in MCLL at  

http://www.journalnewspapers.com/articles/2009/01/06/community_news/snohomish_county/doc495e6d8076db0562534157.txt

The next registration night is Thursday January 15th 6:30PM – 8:30PM at Heatherwood MS.