New league formed for children with disabilities

For years, 17-year-old Greg Abbott watched from his wheelchair while his brothers played baseball. But in May it will be their turn to cheer for him.

Daniel Boone Little League will add a Challenger Division this year to give mid-Missouri children with disabilities an opportunity to play on an organized baseball team with the help of “player buddies” and modified rules.

Challenger League coordinator Bob DeGraaff said the league is for boys or girls between 5 and 18 with “any developmental or physical disability that would preclude a player from participating in an existing league.” Each player will be paired with a “buddy” who will help the child on the field and at the plate.

“The buddies are there for encouragement, instruction and protection when it’s needed,” DeGraaff said. “They don’t take anything away from the players’ experience.”

The modified rules will take individual abilities and needs into consideration. A player can receive an overhand or underhand pitch or bat with a tee. The league will even offer balls that beep for players with visual impairments.

Every player will have a chance to hit and play defense each inning since there will be no limit to number of players on the field, and a team will bat through its entire lineup, regardless of the number of outs in an inning. Score is not kept.

“It’ll be good to get to make some new friends,” said Jayden Roberts, who is 14 and will play on a Challenger team. “I think baseball is the best sport ever.”

DeGraaff said one of the benefits of Challenger baseball is its integration with Daniel Boone Little League. Players will wear the same jerseys as other teams in the league and will have games at the Columbia Insurance Group Sports Complex where all other teams play.

“For each team’s first game, we’ll have the PA system and players will line up on the first and third baselines, be called out and introduced,” DeGraaff said. “There will be umpires, coaches, everything, but with a few modifications.”

Trish Wallace, whose 13-year-old son has Down syndrome, said she is interested in the league’s community aspect. She said her son enjoys being part of Special Olympics, but a downside is that the group doesn’t play local games.

“I like the idea of this (Challenger Division) because it’s regular, weekly and in the neighborhood,” she said. “Teachers and friends can come to a regular game.”

Wallace said she thinks it’s important for children with disabilities to get involved in organized sports.

“I think younger families think it’s more isolating than including, but the reality is that these kids can’t move as fast and they can get hurt easily,” Wallace said. “I’m scared to death (my son) is going to get bonked in the head when he’s playing with big kids. But he can succeed and flourish when he plays with kids of his skill level.”

The Challenger Division is still open for registration and looking for volunteers, DeGraaff said. Practices will begin in April and games will be weekly from early May to early July.