Challenger Baseball gets local kids with disabilities excited for another season
Posted Apr 10, 2024 04:51:04 AM.
Last Updated Apr 10, 2024 04:51:09 AM.
Kids from around the region were invited to come out on Saturday for a ‘Try it’ day where they could take a swing at playing baseball to see if the upcoming season is something they want to be part of.
Challenger Baseball came to Kitchener in 2022, thanks to Volunteer Coordinator Cathay Lapar, who wanted to help kids with disabilities have a chance to play the game.
The season runs from June 9 to Aug. 18 on Sunday mornings this year. Lapar told The Mike Farwell Show that they have 33 kids signed up to play so far, with more expected after having a busy ‘Try it’ day.
“There’s so many new faces, so many returning faces, its just nice to see the kids out here having a great time,” said Lapar.
The program caters to all kids, some of which have cognitive or physical disabilities.
“We have bases that squeak, we have jingle bell balls for the kids that need to have hearing things or visuals. We have light up balls for kids with hearing issues, we have bean bags and the softer ones so that no body gets hurt,” said Lapar.
“The athletes teach you and the parents teach you, because they’ve lived this right. It’s been wonderful to see the different kids and to learn about all the abilities they have.”
As part of an ongoing project with the City of Kitchener, a baseball diamond at Pioneer Park in the Doon area of the city will be turned into an all-accessible diamond for the kids to play on. No date for when that will be completed has been set yet.
