Last year, the league operated on a modified schedule from mid-June through September. This year, they resume their regular season beginning after the May 24 weekend with the final game on Aug. 29.
The organization supports anyone with cognitive or developmental challenges or chronic health issues that prevents them from playing an organized sport.
“A lot of this activity is the social hub of their week and it's great that they're able to play a full season,” said Bev Quinlan, director of baseball.
The non-profit organization allows anyone with cognitive and/or physical disabilities to be involved in baseball. They are divided into junior, intermediate and senior groups depending on their cognitive and skill level. Those benefitting from the program learn skills such as communication, teamwork and confidence-building while getting exercise and having fun.
The Challengers were made up of members who benefit from the program, playing other teams within the group and baseball organizations in the Peterborough area in friendly games.
“The players for the most part are willing to listen and be coached and that's significant,” explained Quinlan. “If you want to get better, you have to be able to be coached and you have to be willing to listen and we were able to put those two things together so the players have improved.”
