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Sports

Little League's Challenger Division Gives All Kids Chance to Play

The Stratford Little League Challenger Division was designed for children with developmental disabilities.

This year saw the development and successful first year of the Challenger Division of the Stratford Little League.

Having been developed especially for children with physical and mental disabilities, the Challenger Division now provides the opportunity for all Stratford children to participate in the Stratford Little League. 

Due to their physical and mental disabilities, many of the participants of Stratford’s Challenger Division have only watched their siblings participate in the past. The creation of this division has offered an opportunity for these children to participate in baseball for the first time, and has increased their self esteem and sense of being a part of a group.

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A number of siblings, who have played in Stratford Little League, now participate in the Challenger Division practices. These children serve as mentor’s to their siblings, such as 3-year-old Sofia. 

Ben Kusinski, vice president of Stratford Little League, said the goal in developing the Challenger Division was to be able to "offer an activity for all the children in Stratford, despite their needs and challenges.”

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Christian, 4, plays in a walker. Being that he had brain surgery at a very young age, the Challenger Division has been his first opportunity to participate in a sport and be a member on a team. 

Although the program is only in its first year, Kusinski is very excited about its growth potential. In the future, he hopes to organize games with other towns such as Ridgefield, Greenwich, Stamford and Trumbull, which also have Challenger Divisions. 

With the success of Stratford Little League’s Challenger Division, other Stratford sports may soon develop their own Challenger Divisions. Kusinski acknowledges that a driving force behind the success of such a division is having the right coaches.

"Our coaches are patient and experienced. Many coaches are themselves parents of children with special needs,”  he said.

Melanie Janicki’s 4-year-old daughter Emery has a speech impediment and high functioning autism. She enrolled Emery as “it is something fun for her to do and helps her feel a part of a group."

"She really enjoys it,” Janicki added.

Emery’s father Joseph is one of the Challenger Division coaches.

 There are two teams in the Challenger Division - 4 to 6 year olds, which has 12 members; and 9 to 16 year olds (although up to 18 year olds are welcome), of which there are nine members.

Expanding on the traditional age of 12 in regular Little Leagues has allowed greater opportunities for children with special needs in the Stratford community, Kusinski said.

Mark Calzone, commissioner of the Challenger Division, said they focus on skill building with hitting, catching and base running, all with a dose of fun! The children become familiar with the rules and norms of baseball, all the way to shaking hands at the end of practice. These practices will prepare them for their first real game. 

Sarah Calzone, vice president of SEPTA (Special Education PTA), said, “We are so excited to support the Stratford Little League in their effort to provide an opportunity for all children to participate in sports. Many children have never had the opportunity to participate in sports because of various challenges that they are facing, and now they have the chance to experience being part of team and create long lasting friendships.” 

Practices have been taking place on Sundays at the Birdseye Field, but the season will be ending on June 25. Parents interested in enrolling their children in the Challenger Division should contact the Stratford Little League next spring. Depending on town interest, there may be a Challenger Division of Fall Ball later this year as well.

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