Challenger Team Plays Last Game of the Season With New Dugout

Some special baseball players will take the field Saturday for their last game of the season at Franklin County High School and will have a special honor.

Sharlene Thomas is the manager of the Franklin County Challenger League.

Thomas said on Saturday the team will be the first team to use the new dugout.

The Challenger League is an organization for special needs children and adults that allows them to play baseball without the strict rules of a regular Little League team.

The Challenger League also provides a safe place that individuals with disabilities can call their own.

Each year kids, young adults, families, volunteers, donors, and the community are changed by the magic that happens on the field.

Thomas says no child or adult with a disability is turned away from the Challenger League and each child is matched with a buddy.

Saturday evening after the last game of the season, Thomas said every team member will receive a medal.

Thomas said the Challenger League is about the only activity for special needs children and adults in Franklin County to get involved in.

However, she said with the help of Franklin County School Superintendent Chris Forrer, plans are underway to bring the Special Olympics here.

Again, the last Challenger League game takes place Saturday evening at 6p at the ball fields on the campus of Franklin County High School and it’s free.