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Home of Georgia District 4
Little League Baseball and Softball
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Peachtree City Challengers
Imagine an afternoon baseball game. A player hits the ball and heads for first base. Imagine teammates cheering. Now imagine the player is in a wheelchair. Imagine all the players are children with disabilities.
Imagine an afternoon baseball game. A player hits the ball and heads for first base. Imagine teammates cheering. Now imagine the player is in a wheelchair. Imagine all the players are children with disabilities.
Imagine an afternoon baseball game. A player hits the ball and heads for first base. Imagine teammates cheering. Now imagine the player is in a wheelchair. Imagine all the players are children with disabilities.
Since 1988, Little League Baseball has been offering children with disabilities the opportunity to play youth baseball on a real team, to learn the game and to create lasting friendships. Through the “buddies” program, Challenger League players are often paired with local High School ball players and volunteers from the community. In this way, the community is learning about inclusiveness, increasing their knowledge about children with disabilities and fostering community partnerships. The Georgia Little League Baseball Challenger program spearheaded by Nick Harris has grown into a nationally recognized program. The Challenger Division was established in 1988 as a separate division of Little League Baseball to enable boys and girls with physical and developmental disabilities, ages 5-22 or the completion of high school, to enjoy the game of baseball in its purest form. Teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age, and can include as many as 10-12 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. Our 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 the plays themselves. However, the buddy is always nearby to help when needed. The Georgia Little League Challenger Division program is Little League's way of providing new opportunities for children with disabilities so that everyone can get into the game. To sign-up your child for participation in Challenger Baseball, or to volunteer as a "buddy," email the PTCLL Challenger Commissioner, Coleen Romano at romanos4@comcast.net or phone 770-851-0686. All kids deserve to have fun.
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