Peterborough Challenger Baseball Hits a Home Run In Their Season Finale Return

There was no shortage of smiles and fly balls as Peterborough Challenger Baseball concluded their comeback season with the final game of the year at Kinsmen Park on Thursday.

The Senior division kicked off the final game of the season for the non-profit organization. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Peterborough Challengers squeaked a 16-13 win over the PTBO Rockstars in the championship game of the senior division.

The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevents them from playing an organized sport.

Peterborough Challenger Baseball has 24 volunteer coaches that are all mentored and instructed by the Jays Care Foundation, the charity arm of the Toronto Blue Jays. There were 76 active players this year with several regulars who sat out for safety reasons.

The Challengers were made up of members who benefit from the non-profit organization while the Rockstars are pick-up players that vary week-to-week as their opponents. The games are casual but the competitive spirit resides in every player that walks onto the field according to Bernie Daynes, Peterborough Challenger Baseball president.

“It's all about learning for them as well as some of them can hit a ball. Tonight (Thursday) was quite competitive but it's all about having fun as well,” he said. “They’re still learning some fielding fundamentals and that's what we do here.”

Peterborough Challenger Baseball has several divisions of all ages including Little League Juniors, Martinez Intermediates and Barfield Seniors. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The organization last year was able to have a season from the COVID-19 pandemic but got the thumbs-up for this summer. Weekly play typically begins in May but was delayed until mid-June through September.

Playing baseball was an activity both the players and staff were aiming for after coming off a forced hiatus of 16 months.

“We started planning for a return to play in January of this year. As soon as we got the go-ahead from the province and the local health board, we had our plan in action and we put the players back on the field very quickly,” said Daynes.

The PTBO Rockstars during their final game of the season. The team welcomes all skill levels to participate against the Challengers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The mission of Daynes’s organization is not only to provide an inclusive outlet for baseball and have fun but to teach life lessons and develop as human beings.

”Also within playing the baseball as a game, it's also as a social network for these players and we also help teach them some social skills as well as how to accept failure as a learning device and not a failure,” he explained. “That's all failure is, that it's an opportunity to learn and these guys here are very quick to learn.”

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Upstanding Volunteers Spreading Smiles for Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity ReStore may sell refurbished items but it could be labelled a happiness factory thanks to volunteers David Macleod and Keir Lewin.

(left to right) Keir Lewin, Christina Skuce, David Macleod and Craig Meridith. Habitat for Humanity accepts volunteers for setting up displays, processing donated products, providing customer service, repairing furniture and more. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Macleod has volunteered for the ReStore for almost a year, starting back in September 2020. Lewin, an 18-year-old Kenner student, had completed his last day of volunteering Friday after spending the entire summer with the ReStore.

Both men have been taken under the wing of social worker Craig Meridith who has worked with special needs people for over a decade.

"The positivity on them is unbelievable,” explained Meridith. “That’s what makes my job fun. David and Keir bring nothing but fun and a positive attitude to the table and they want to learn.”

“They are an incredible part of our Habitat family and they make it possible for us to raise funds to build more affordable homes in the community,” said Christina Skuce, Habitat director of Philanthropy and Communications.

Macleod arranges and organizes the home decoration section that ranges from kitchen utensils, dishware, movies, paintings and more. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Staff and customers have noted the positive attitude that both volunteers carried which has been contagious to anyone who talks to them.

“Listening to their passion and how proud they are working at the ReStore is incredible,” explained Skuce. ”I was tearing up earlier, listening to David saying how happy he is to be here. They have the best attitude, they’re happy and everyone on staff loves them.”

Lewin was born in Toronto but was moved to Peterborough at a very young age. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Macleod organizes the home decoration section and also works as a greeter for the retail store. He originally started volunteering twice a week but has bumped that up to three days. Lewin aids in the garbage disposal and moving small inventory around the store.

“A lot of people come in here and actually just see David and talk to him as well,” explained Meridith. “He’s turning into a fan favourite in the community which has also led to a lot of people coming into the ReStore.”

Both Meridith and Skuce explain that this work helps anyone with special needs to gain life skills and mature in their mental and cognitive development.

“I couldn’t be more happier watching them grow as individuals and contribute in such a positive manner,” exclaimed Meridith. “It’s exciting to watch them here I could do this five days a week if I could instead of just three.”

“I love that they can go home at night and they are proud of what they did here at the ReStore.” said Skuce.

For more information on volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, email volunteer@habitatpkr.ca or call 705-750-1456.

“We’re a team,” exclaimed Macleod. “My good friend Craig Meridith helped me get here and I like the job.”

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Local Man Devoted to People With Special Needs

It takes a special man to bring joy to countless special needs people and Peterborough’s Craig Meredith has been up to the task.

Meredith has been a support worker for Community Living Trent Highlands for the last decade. He named his group he supports, “Meredith’s Mean Machines”, and he describes it as the greatest job in the world.

“I have had the opportunity to watch my clients grow into independent individuals on a day-to-day basis,” said Meredith. “I have connected with great family members of individuals I have supported. Just watching them laugh and smile is a great day’s work.”

“Meredith’s Mean Machines” get together every Friday with activities such as mini-golf, nature walks or group decisions. Photo by David Tuan Bui, PTBOCanada

The group competed for the “Meredith Cup” in a friendly bowling competition at Lakeview Bowl in Peterborough. David McLeod won the award after “judge’s decision” from Meredith.

“The support I have received from the community through text, phone calls and emails have been overwhelming,” said Meredith. “I will continue to support everyone to the best of my knowledge and abilities.”

David McLeod after winning the “Meredith Cup”. Craig Meredith started the “Meredith Mean Machines” since the Covid-19 pandemic began restricting the country. Photo by David Tuan Bui, PTBOCanada

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Peterborough's Two Special Needs Hockey Teams Just Played Against Each Other For First Time Ever

History was made in Peterborough on Saturday morning (January 28th) as the Kawartha Komets Juniors played against Electric City Maroon & White at the Evinrude Centre in a battle between the city's two special needs hockey teams—the first time they had ever played each other.

Kawartha Komets coach David Fisher & Electrick City coach Chris J-Boy Williams

"This was a huge event and such a step forward between the clubs with nothing but smiles and happiness on the ice which is what special needs hockey is all about," Coach J-Boy Williams says, adding "A big thanks to Carol and David Fisher for inviting us to play and cheers to a bright future and many more friendly games between us!"

Here are pictures Eileen Kimmet captured of an emotional day these parents, kids and coaches will never forget...

The game was a nailbiter, ending in a 6-6 tie.

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