What is the Challenger Program?
Challenger is an adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. The program accommodates any person of ages 4 to 18; or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school. The program also involves volunteer peer “Buddies” that play along with each of our players to assist to the extent necessary with all of the activities associated to the game including fielding, catching, running and hitting. Challenger has a “one to one” ratio where buddies are paired up with the same players for the full year.
Challenger allows the opportunity for our players to create friendships and bonds with their teammates, buddies, coaches, opposing players and the community at large in a way that transcends the baseball field. It allows our players the ability to demonstrate to those in schools and potential work environments the inspirational ability to overcome, contribute and thrive.
Teams play on Saturdays and the games are about much more than baseball. Of equal importance, there is a social and recreational component to these events that is also rare for our players. Numerous teams/towns share multiple fields at one host location inclusive of numerous volunteer contributions consisting of everything from food, music, bounce houses and dunk tanks. Hundreds of friends, family members and volunteers attend each weekend. These events are in fact a celebration of the amazing spirit, determination and will of those participating to overcome their challenges and play in a competitive activity that they love in a way that is as close to a typical game as possible.
How did this program get started in Westborough?
The program was introduced to Westborough in 2018 joining surrounding towns, Shrewsbury, Millbury, Grafton and Northborough. The 2018 team included 17 players with a high diversity in age, gender, and skill ability. Based on the success of last season and the awareness that was established, we expect a considerable increase in participation in 2019.
How is the Challenger Program funded?
For the 2019 season, we initiated outreach to the sponsor community for support. One of the foundational pillars of the program is that there are no fees charged to participants to cover costs associated to fields, uniforms and gear. Funding secured through sponsorship will provide new equipment and uniforms for all players that will serve to create the sense of inclusion and togetherness of a true team environment. Involvement in a team in any sport, particularly one that represents a town, is a very common experience for most young athletes. Challenger offers one of the few opportunities in our town for our athletes with challenges to have this same experience. Very few of our players have had the previous chance to put on a uniform and represent the town of Westboro and compete against other communities in a sporting event. It is a special environment for our participants and one that they take tremendous joy and pride in experiencing.
Support of this program sends a most powerful message with respect to the values of those that are involved and support it. It communicates in strong terms that we embody and embrace a commitment to rising up and those among us that have more difficult obstacles to overcome and celebrating their incredible abilities and accomplishments.