Regular Registration Dates: January 1 – February 29
Please click this link to register for the Spring 2023 season.
Late Registration Dates:
Season Dates: March – June
Fields and Facilities: Lionville Park
Eligible Adresses: No residency requirements
Player Info: Accommodates participants ages 5 to 18 for Junior Challenger, or anyone still enrolled in high school. Accommodates all ages older than 18 for Senior Challenger
Required Equipment: bat, baseball, uniform, cleats, mit, hat.
Contact Information: LYA Challenger Division Commissioner - Herb Merritt: [email protected]
About the Challenger Division
Little League’s Challenger Division was established in 1989 and aims to give mentally and physically challenged boys and girls the opportunity to enjoy the full benefits of participation in a Little League program structured to their abilities. The Challenger Division accommodates participants ages 5 to 18, or anyone still enrolled in high school. In addition to learning the game of baseball, the value of the Little League Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports; the strengthening of participants’ self-esteem; and the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play.
Lionville’s Challenger Division will have the same boundary that Lionville Little League has. District 28 has seven other established Challenger Divisions (Caln; Coatesville; Downingtown; East Side; KAU; Oxford; and West Side). District 27 has eight established Challenger Divisions. Depending on registrations, we hope to have a league-age 5 – 12 team and a league-age 13 – 18 team. We will play teams from the local area on mostly Sunday afternoons. LYA will schedule our home games for Sunday at 12:00 on Field C. Field C has good access to the field with a gap in the fence next to the shed and a skinned infield which makes it easier for the players in wheel chairs and walkers. Away games will be determined by the other team’s field availability.
Each player while on the field and batting will have a Buddy. Families can bring their own Buddy or we can make arrangements to provide a Buddy. Many kids are looking for volunteer opportunities. High School students need to complete a graduation project with a minimum of forty hours of service. Some students are looking for opportunities to build up their resume’s for college applications and Middle Schoolers need to do service projects for Confirmation requirements, just to name a few.
The role of a Challenger Buddy during the game is to protect the Challenger Player and to assist in any way necessary.
- Make sure fielders are a safe distance from the batter
- Stand near the player in a position that will allow you to protect them
- Make sure the receiver is ready to receive a throw
- Direct a player where to throw a ball
- If necessary, knock down a ball in the infield so that it can be played
- Field the ball for players with limited mobility
- If necessary, assist the player in throwing the ball
- If necessary, help the player select a bat and helmet
- If necessary, guide the player where to run or push the wheel chair
- Set the ball on the Tee
- Assist the player in swinging the bat if needed