League plans program for special-needs ballplayers

Tri-Cities Little League board members John Burke and Mark Anders recognized a void in the after-school programs in local school districts for children with special needs.

But now, thanks to the work of Little League board members, local school officials and community leaders, children with physical and mental challenges aged 5 to 18 (or the completion of high school) can participate in an organized game of baseball.

This summer, the Tri-Cities Little League will introduce the Challenger Division, a program that pairs children with disabilities with a "buddy" from the little league's Major League. There are more than 800 players in over 50 baseball and softball teams in the Tri-Cities Little League from the Carpentersville, Dundee and Gilberts area.

Established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball, the Challenger Division enables children with mental and physical disabilities to enjoy the game of baseball just like millions of children worldwide.

An informational session is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 in Algonquin.

"This will be good for everyone involved," said Burke, the little league's vice president of T-ball. "It will be a huge benefit for the special needs kids and it will get the other kids to come up with an acceptance-type mentality."

Anders said the league will allow all children to enjoy playing the game of baseball. A Challenger League has been offered by the Bartlett Little League since 2001.

"It will be a fun experience," Anders said. "Everyone will get the chance to bat, nobody gets out and everyone can run the bases."

The buddies - an 11- or 12-year-old Little League player - will assist the challenger participant in playing the field, help them hit and move around the bases if needed. No scores will be kept.

And, depending on skill level, the players will either take a swing at an adult's underhand pitch or from a tee.

Teams can include as many as 15 to 20 players. The season is expected to start in May with six to eight games depending on the number of participants.

In addition to the players, the Tri-Cities Little League seeks volunteers to help in the area of coaching and the coordination of a variety of activities.

Games will be played on the league's regulation baseball fields throughout the Dundee and Carpentersville area.

All team members will be given a uniform, and special equipment, like batting helmets and safety balls, will be provided. For the inaugural season, organizers said the program will be offered free of charge.

"This is just like baseball that other boys and girls play," Anders said. "It will give kids a sense of accomplishment. They have watched it on TV and now they are playing it."

The informational session will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27 at Westfield Community School, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road, Algonquin.

Participants are asked to enter through the north entrance, door 5.

For information, call John Burke at (708) 426-6093 or Mark Anders at (847) 836-0757.