by Kristina Gabalski
Challenger Baseball is nearing the start of its second season in Sweden/Clarkson.
Children ages 5 to 18 who have physical and/or developmental disabilities are invited to take part and experience baseball that is structured to their needs.
Organizers say Challenger Baseball gives everyone a chance to play baseball in a fun, family atmosphere.
“In our first season, we had 32 youngsters in the program from Sweden, Clarkson, Kendall, Holley, Hamlin, Churchville-Chili, Spencerport and Byron-Bergen,” Jack Milner says. “The program exceeded our expectations and provided a great opportunity for children with disabilities to enjoy the game of baseball.”
Challenger players use the same equipment (with modifications, if necessary) and wear jerseys and hats as Sweden/Clarkson Recreation Little Leaguers do. Coaches and “buddies” support the teams.
Milner says the program has received an outpouring of support from the community. “Recreation house league and Bison baseball players act as buddies for the players and many community members offer their time as volunteers to help in a variety of ways,” he says.
Several parents noted that they were pleased to have something available for their youngster, “as often their siblings are playing Little League and other sports and there is very little for these children to do outside the assistance they receive in school,” explains Milner.
“There is no charge for the program because grants and donations from organizations like the Press Radio Club in Rochester and Reliant Credit Union located in the Wal-Mart Plaza in Sweden make it self-sufficient,” Milner says.
“Last year, the Brockport Police Stetson Club put on an ice cream social for players and their families after one of the Saturday morning ball games and Flash (of Flash’s Tavern) helped out by providing the food for an end-of-the-season picnic,” he says.
Players will also take part in the Challenger Baseball World Series at Frontier Field on Saturday, June 23, “thanks to a gentleman by the name of Tony Wells,” Milner says. “Providing this opportunity is his passion and through working with the Rochester Red Wings our kids get a thrill of a lifetime getting to take the field for a game and seeing their live photo on the scoreboard.”
The Sweden/Clarkson Recreation Department supports Challenger Baseball as one of its programs, Milner adds. Program organizers and coaches Mike and Susan Myers, Wayne and Marge Zyra, Bev and Jack Milner, Steve Noyes, Kate Jacobs and Darren Zyra provide the legwork to see that the program succeeds.
Challenger games are played at Nietopski Field in the Sweden Town Park on Redman Road in Sweden.
Games begin at 9:30 a.m. and are scheduled for June 9,16, and 30 and July 7, 14, and 21. July 28 is a make-up rain date.
Parents are encouraged to register their sons or daughters by April 16 by mail, in person at the Sweden/Clarkson Community Center, 4927 Lake Road, or online at www.swedenclarksonrec.com.
