Little League Challenger Division Sign Up is Saturday in Franklin County

If you are a parent of a special needs child, regardless of their age, you should consider getting them involved in the Little League Challenger Baseball Division for special needs children in Franklin County.

Sign-up for this year’s season is Saturday at noon at the Franklin County Rec Center in Carnesville.

Team manager Sharleen Thomas says sign-up is free for the parents and there are no extra costs for uniforms or equipment.

“I need the parents to be aware that there is a sign-up for the special needs baseball challenger league for ages 6 and up,” she said. “This is at no cost to the parents. We furnish the jerseys, the hats, their medals, and a pizza party at the Carnesville Fire Department every year. And we have no rules, no regulations, no restrictions, we just have fun.”

A division of the national Little League organization, the Challenger League is a division for special needs children that allows them to play baseball without the strict rules of a regular Little League team.

According to their website, the Challenger League provides a safe place where individuals with disabilities can call their own.

No child or adult with a disability is turned away from the Challenger League. Each child is matched with a buddy.

The buddy gets to know your child and serves as a big brother or sister.

The parent is able to come to practice and games and other activities and enjoy watching their child play with friends and have a fun experience while building good memories.

New this year, there will be two divisions playing on two different fields.

The first division, the minor league, will be for kids 10 years old and under and the second league, the major league will be for those age 11 and up.

The first game of the season is March 4 at the Ray Morgan Baseball field in Canon.

Thomas is also asking for people and local businesses to sponsor the Franklin County Challenger League.

If you would like to get involved as a sponsor or have any questions about the Challenger League you can contact Charlene Thomas at 706-498-6553.