Little League Challenger Division

In 1986 Ed Beardsley approached his son’s fourth-grade teacher about forming an athletic program after school. The students, not able to play regular baseball, needed an alternative. All had some sort of motor deficiency and disability. The first year five students started this informal version of the Challenger Program. They played catch with a wiffle ball and eventually added a home plate and bases. By the end of their first season, 14 children were playing baseball with Ed Beardsley. In 1989 the team grew to include 27 children. challenger photo

In 1989, Ed Beardsley accepted an invitation from Little League Baseball to join a task force and assist in creating a national program headed by Senator Robert Dole. Thanks to the determination of this one dedicated father, today more than 22,000 players participate in the Little League Challenger Division. Ed Beardsley was honored as the first Challenger Award recipient in 1998 during the Little League World Series Awards Breakfast. Today he is joined by his son, who now volunteers as a buddy to players needing assistance.

Special Rules for Challenger Division

All Children ages 5 through 18, or who remain in school, with physical or mental disabilities are encouraged to participate.
Level of play based upon player’s size, age and skill level are recommended where numbers allow.
Teams can include as many as 15 to 20 players.
Players can participate in one of three levels: Tee Ball, Coach-Pitch, Player-Pitch.
Each player in Tee Ball and Coach-Pitch uses the “Buddy” system. “Buddies” can also assist the Player-Pitch participants.
Every player on the roster is in the batting order and shall play defensively for at least one-half of every game.
No team is scheduled to play more than one game in one day.
The side is retired when the offense has batted through the roster, or when a predetermined number of runs has been scored, or when three outs are recorded.
Little League recommends that no score be kept during games.
The Challenger Division fee is $25 per team.
Challenger Division players wear the same uniforms, shoulder patches, and safety equipment as other Little Leaguers.
Insurance for the Challenger Division is set at the same low cost as other Little League Divisions and is available through Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, Pa.