WHAT IS CHALLENGER BASEBALL?
Challenger is a division of Little League Baseball for children ages 5-18*
who have physical or mental conditions that prevent safe participation in
other baseball programs. Play is structured to allow all players to
be involved as they are able. Traditional rules are modified and
the focus is always on having fun while learning the game of baseball.
No score is kept, each player bats every inning, and everyone plays
the entire game. Each player is
assigned a buddy who works to ensure safety and success.
A soft baseball is used for all games and practices.
Bridgewater's Challenger
season begins in early April and continues through the third week in June. Games are held at Oakdale Park in Bridgewater and last
approximately one hour. For more information, contact Philip & Sue Hutchinson (828-3502, hutchisl@jmu.edu)
or Jack & Becky Martin (879-2380, martinjg@jmu.edu).
There are two Challenger programs in Rockingham
County--Bridgewater and Grottoes. Athletes who live within the
Little League boundaries of these two leagues must play in their home
program. Those from other areas of the
county, the city of Harrisonburg, and surrounding counties are
eligible to play in either program. For information on the
Grottoes Little League Challenger Division, contact
Megan Roach at 540-560-5249.
*Athletes who have played at least one year
before reaching a league age of 19 may continue in the program as long
as they are attending public school. Upon reaching a league age of 22,
athletes are no longer eligible to participate.
Challenger
in Bridgewater
This is an article written for Bridgewater Community
Little League's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2004.
It summarizes the growth and mission of Challenger during its first four years as a part of
Bridgewater's program.
2008 JMU Diamond Dukes Host Challenger Baseball
A Letter to New Families
Return to main page