After a successful first season in 2023, the Marple Township Little League’s (MTLL) Challenger League is ready to kick off its second season so that children of all playing abilities can enjoy the game of baseball. Modeled after other Challenger leagues in the area, MTLL’s Challenger division welcomes players of all physical and intellectual challenges. In its inaugural year, over 30 players participated in playing baseball (the first time ever for many)! All made possible with the help of over 100 volunteers!
Run by dedicated volunteers and chartered members of Little League Baseball, MTLL has been serving boys and girls of the Marple Newtown area since 1951. Under the guidance of longtime MTLL board member and Broomall resident Mike Noonan, last year MTLL established a Challenger division, an adaptive baseball program.
MTLL’s Challenger Division provides a healthy environment to play ball and build self-confidence and self-esteem. “We’re thrilled with how successful the first season of the division was,” said Mike. “It’s thanks to the help of a committee of board members and dedicated coaches and volunteers.”
The MTLL Challenger division committee includes three special education 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,” said board member Joe Crimmins. The committee also includes Brian McCollum (MTLL Liaison) and Corey Ruff (Technology Director /Buddy Coordinator).
Noonan, Jackie Sharkey, Alyssa Galligan, Jimmy Galligan,
Joe Crimmins. (Not pictured Cory Ruff and Brian McCollum)
Games are every Sunday at 12pm and are three innings long, with each team batting through their lineup each time. Spectators are welcome and encouraged! Like any 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 participants and join them in enjoying a day at the ballfield. “Our volunteer buddies love getting to know these kids,” said Joe. “Watching them as they work together as a team is so rewarding.”
The first season was met with praise from the players and their families. The Basciano family said that the MTLL Challenger league brought them so much joy. “We never thought we would see the day our boy would play baseball,” said Mrs. Basciano. “He had so much fun and was excited to go every week. We are so grateful for this fun and inclusive opportunity that MTLL has provided in our amazing community!”
Local resident Jen Warner had two sons play in the league. “Before this league, I wasn’t sure my boys would ever be able to participate in a team sport,” Jen explained. “Thanks to the Challenger league, we’ve had the absolute privilege of watching our kids try something new in a setting they
feel safe and supported in and that’s been invaluable.” Jen said that the Challenger league is one of the rare places where the expectation isn’t that her boys adapt to the world around them. “The passionate community members running the league, each with unique experience with neurodiversity, work creatively and selflessly to bring the world of baseball to my boys.”
Thanks to the generosity of the community and fundraising for MTLL, Challenger players can join the league free of charge. Last June, MTLL’s Challenger team participated in Challenger Day, a day for all of the local Challenger leagues to come together. It was a fun-filled day of baseball games, food and even a visit from the Philly Phanatic!
Coach Alyssa Galligan is a special education teacher at Hillcrest Elementary in Upper Darby and enjoyed the first season of Challenger baseball. “It has been a pleasure to be a part of MTLL’s Challenger League,” she said, proudly. “Witnessing a partnership between the athletes, buddies, coaches and families has been inspiring. Everyone is working toward a common goal of creating an inclusive environment where all athletes are accepted and praised. I look forward to another great season!”
Registration for the Challenger division will be open until April 10, 2024. For more information about MTLL’s Challenger League visit MTLL.org. Email or call challenger.mtll@gmail. com, 484-888-8780 or go to their Facebook page.