Marple Township Little League (MTLL) has always been known as a special place in our community, where kids of all playing abilities learn to develop their love of the game. This year MTLL introduced The Challenger Division, a program specifically for children with special needs.
The Little League Challenger Division® was founded in 1989 and is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Mike Noonan, a longtime Marple resident and MTLL board member, has been working on putting together a Challenger Division for MTLL for the past two years. “We’re thrilled the division came to fruition this year thanks to the help of a committee of board members and dedicated coaches and volunteers,” said Mike, who serves as the division’s director.
The MTLL Challenger division committee includes three special education (SE) teachers: Alyssa and Jimmy Galligan and Jackie Sharkey. Their experience in special education helps bring out the best in the players. “These teachers not only had great strategies to teach skills to the players and keep them engaged, but their insight was helpful for the volunteers too,” Mike said. The committee also includes former MTLL board member Joe Crimmins (Treasurer), Brian McCollum (MTLL Liaison) and Corey Ruff (Technology Director /Buddy Coordinator).
Modeled after other Challenger leagues in the area, MTLL’s division welcomes players ages 4 – 21 and is inclusive of all physical and intellectual challenges. Games are every Sunday at 12:30pm and spectators are welcome and encouraged. Mike explained that Challenger games are three innings long, with each team batting through their lineup each time. The last batter in each inning circles the bases and tags home before taking the field to play defense. “Our players enjoy being part of a team and playing a game that is structured to meet their specific needs,” Mike explained. “The most important thing is we all have fun,” he added.
Just like MTLL’s Little League program, the Challenger Division relies heavily on volunteers and participation from community members. Out in the field, players are paired up with buddies — players from the Majors division who help the athletes and join them in enjoying a day at the ballfield.
“For some players, a goal may be learning how to throw a baseball, while for others it may be learning to field a ground ball, catch a fly ball or swing the bat without the assistance of a buddy,” said Joe Crimmins. He explained that some players may even work towards improving their abilities so that they do not need regular assistance from a buddy. “As players improve their baseball skills, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment as they achieve their goals,” he added.
Challenger players can join the league free of charge and their families participate in MTLL’s Opening Day parade and fundraising events. This season they’re looking forward to the exhibition game in the PA Little League State Tournament this July. In June, the Drexel Hill Little League will host Challenger Day, when all of the local Challenger leagues will come together for a day full of baseball games, food and even a visit from the Philly Phanatic!
MTLL President Pete Baylor said that the first season of the Challenger Division was such a success because of the coaches, parents and volunteers.“When Mike Noonan and his committee brought the idea of a Challenger division to the MTLL board, I had no idea the joy it was about to bring to not only the MTLL family, but the entire Marple Township Community,” said Pete. “I would like to thank Mike and his committee, and all the surrounding Challenger Leagues who assisted in making the MTLL Challenger Division possible. Without all of their hard work and our dedicated volunteers we would not get to see all of those big smiles on our Challenger athletes each Sunday afternoon.” For more information about MTLL’s Challenger League visit www.MTLL.org or go to their Facebook page.
