Former Little League Parents Forming ‘Challenger’ Division

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate component of Little League to enable boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy baseball or softball along with the millions of other children who participate worldwide.
More than 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.
In Lower Township, a few former Little League parents are working to establish a Challenger Division for disabled youngsters and adolescents.
“It’ll be open to any kid from Cape May County,” said Nancy Stone, a Villas resident who served the Lower Cape May Little League for more than two decades. “Any child that is disabled and wants to participate is welcome.”
Stone, along with township residents Jim Volpe, Caroline Mustafa, Walt Makowski, Sherry Hemingway, Cookie Wolf and Denise Fessler are working to establish the local Challenger Division. They met with township officials, including Councilman Mike Beck, Manager Mike Voll and Assistant Superintendent for Recreation Mitch Plenn.
“They’re very excited and supportive,” said Stone of the local officials. The group is exploring field locations and hopes to eventually create a turf facility to more comfortably accommodate wheel chairs and other mobility disabilities.
In Little League Challenger Division play, teams are set up according to abilities, rather than age and can include as many as 15 to 20 players. Challenger games can be played as tee ball, coach pitch, player pitch, or a combination of the three.
In a Challenger game, each player gets a chance to 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 Challenger games. The Challenger players wear the same uniforms, shoulder patches and safety equipment as other Little League players.
Stone, who sent six children and one grandchild through the Lower Cape May program, is simply hoping to “get it off the ground” for this season. The group plans Sunday afternoon games in May and June.
“All of our own children have already gone though Lower Cape May Little League,” said Stone. “We know that end of things. We want to do this for people who appreciate the opportunity to participate without the intensity and without people shouting at you.”
Stone said the group hopes to have a program up and running within the next 10 weeks. She emphasized that regular Little League and the Challenger Division “are two separate things.”
“We’re looking for sponsors and getting the staff assembled to do what needs to be done,” said Stone. “We’re not totally sure about what we need yet, but we’re working on it. We’ve been wanting to do this for a couple of years.”
The group anticipates charging $25 per child. Accident and liability insurance are set at the same low cost as other Little League divisions and are available through Little League International in South Williamsport, Pa.
One of the benefits of having a Challenger Division is that it encourages the use of “buddies” for the players. The buddies assist the Challenger players on the field, but whenever possible, encourage them to bat and make plays themselves. However, the buddy is always nearby to help when needed.
Parents and teenagers are strongly encouraged to become involved in this uniquely-rewarding division of Little League. After completing a Little League volunteer application and passing a required national background check, teenagers may become buddies, while parents may become involved in practices, and be eligible as coaches, managers, umpires, local league board members and other volunteer positions.
The local group next meets at 8 p.m. at Lower Township Hall on March 20. Registrations will be taken one hour prior to the meeting. They’ll also meet on April 4.
For more information on the Lower Cape May Challenger Division program send email to SJChallengerlittleleague@
gmail.com or call 609-741-8001.
“We’ll accommodate any kid with any disability,” said Stone. “They can use Whiffle Ball or Nerf bats if that’s what they need or want to do. We want to provide opportunities for kids who otherwise might not get a chance to play.
Reach Rossi at joerossi61@comcast.net