Challenger Little League Gives Kids a Chance to . . . Play BallOur motto …. “Every Kid Deserves To Play”
“The Little League Pledge”
I Trust In God
I Love My Country And
Will Respect Its Laws
I Will Play Fair
But Win or Lose
I Will Always
Do My Best
- * Imagine an afternoon baseball game. A player hits the ball and heads for first base ……
- * Imagine teammates cheering --- Now picture the player is in a wheelchair …...
- * Imagine all the players are children with disabilities ……
It is the purpose of District 8 Challenger Little League “Field Of Dreams” program to give boys and girls ages 5-18 with physical and mental challenges a chance to partake in the American’s favorite pastime. This program gives them the opportunity to socialize in a positive atmosphere to play baseball rather than watch from the stands as others play. This groundbreaking program enables every child the opportunity to participate in a structured athletic program --- regardless of their disability. Little League's fastest growing division --- The Challenger Division --- today fields more than 22,000 players competing in the US, providing boys and girls with disabilities the opportunity to experience emotional development, sportsmanship and fun playing Little League baseball, giving them a chance to succeed in sports, community and life. The Challenger Division also helps establish strong bonds of lasting friendships among peers, coaches and parents in an atmosphere of sharing and caring. In Challenger games, "buddies" help their challenged partners by acting as guides for blind children or pushing wheelchair-bound children around the base paths. This interaction has proven to be a positive experience for all the children involved. Challenger players enjoy the thrill of participation and their "buddies" experience first-hand the challenges these children face in their daily lives. The value of the Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participation in sports, the strengthening of the participants' self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork, citizenship and fair play which are hallmarks of the Little League program.
I have been invited to participate in the opening ceremonies for these games...
