Westside Challenger Baseball wrapped up its 15th season on Saturday, June 27, with an awards presentation and year-end picnic. A record 92 players from 24 different towns and villages in western New York participated every Saturday morning, starting in May, at Nietopski Field in Sweden Town Park. It was a great season for the players, families, friends, and coaches. Each game was filled with fun, laughter, and camaraderie, followed by food and drinks for the players, their families and friends, and the assisting “buddies.” The June 6 game was played at ESL Ballpark, home of the Rochester Red Wings. The season ended with each player being recognized and presented with a Championship Trophy at the Awards Ceremony, followed by a picnic at Nietopski Pavilion. On June 30, 208 players and their families also attended a Rochester Red Wings game for Challenger Baseball Night.
There is no cost for any family to have their child with a disability play Westside Challenger Baseball, thanks to generous donations from sponsors and donors, including Rochester Press-Radio Club, Rochester Police Locust Club, Hamlin Lions Club, Brockport Lions Club, Kendall Lions Club, Rochester Red Wings, Tom Pontrello of The Legends Group, Ultimate Sports and Apparel, Sweden Community Foundation, Tony Wells and the Hot Stove League, Capt. Paul Wheat and the Brockport Police Stetson Club, Mark Gaisser and Rooster Pub and Pizza, plus many, many individual donors. These sponsors and donors cover all the costs, including uniforms, equipment, field and pavilion rental, insurance, food, drinks, photos, and trophies. Westside Challenger Baseball would not exist without the generous commitment of its sponsors and the support of Brockport Bisons Baseball players and coaches, who are always there to serve as “buddies.” Westside Challenger Baseball has already started planning for the 2027 season to provide quality baseball and fun for children with disabilities in this area.
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