DANVILLE -- In sports, competitors can become so bogged down by the pursuit of titles or statistics that they often lose sight of what is truly important. The simple act of competing and being part of a team moves into the shadows in place of the glorious pursuit of stardom.
In the world of Challenger Division Little League, the true meaning of being a ballplayer and teammate is the focus.
These kids are just happy to get a chance to play, and by giving boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities this opportunity, the league lets them see and experience the sport of baseball and the camaraderie of a team.
"The kids are all here to have a good time and some fun," organizer Greg Molter said. "It's a team sport, but here, it's team fun. Most of the time, these kids aren't included in the mainstream of sports. That's what we are here for. Most of the kids you think that would not be able to have a coach pitch to them don't want to hit off of the tee, they want to have a pitcher. Kids that needed assistance to go around the bases when we first started now get out there and go around on their own."
What this means to the kids can be seen on their faces. The smiles and laughs of the competitors come from the simple joy of getting to participate, to feel accepted and to know they have a strong support structure behind them. Before every at-bat, the kids get to hear their names over the loud speaker and then get to walk to the plate amid cheers from both sides of the field.
"Encouragement is the key," announced Molter over the loud speaker before the game.
Once the players took the field, Elks President Scott Davis was asked to throw out the opening pitch. The Elks raised $1,600 for the kids to take a trip to Norfolk, Va., for the Challenger Jamboree.
"What we don't have here are parents saying you should have caught that' or you missed that one, ump'," Molter said. "What we do have is positive encouragement from the coaches, staff and everyone in the stands. We have fans come to watch Challenger ball because it's fun and that's the whole deal."
The Challenger Division of Little League is celebrating its 20th year of service. Danville's chapter in District 13 has almost doubled in size since Allen Wells started the league in 2000.
"Allen took over in 2000 to get the league going," Molter said. "The local league then chartered us, and without that, we wouldn't have a home. We've grown our enrollment from 18 in 2002 to almost 45 now."
In 2002 and 2007, the league was able to host a game that was held before the Littler League World Series. Along with getting the opportunity to meet some of the players in the World Series, each Challenger player was able to get an at-bat along with playing an inning in the field.
"In 2002, Allen got us up to Williamsport for the World Series," Molter said. "We got to put on the exhibition game, and that was our first big exposure. He then asked us to keep it going, and we have. This is one of the greatest programs you're ever going to find."
With the league's first week in the books, it will continue every Sunday at Echo field in Danville until June 28. The only break the players will have is on May 10, when they go to Norfolk for the jamboree.
"I'm a very busy fellow," Molter said. "I have a lot of jobs and responsibilities for the county. This is my only day of the week I get off, but after seeing the kids and what it does for them, I would give up any of those other jobs to keep doing this. That's just the way it is. Like I said, it's really exciting, and seeing them enjoy themselves is really an important part of this, it really is."
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Kids with disabilities take to the ball field
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