Challenger Baseball will return to the Valley this year, sponsored again by Encompass. The Snoqualmie Valley Little League’s Challenger Baseball is an adaptive sports program for boys and girls with physical anddevelopmental challenges.

Challenger is a team that gives children ages 5 to 18 (or up to 22 if still enrolled in a school program) with physical or developmental challenges an opportunity to play baseball in a low-pressure environment. All players are paired with a typically-developing peer “buddy” to assist them with batting, base running, and defense, as needed.

There are more than 900 Challenger programs around the world, spanning 10 countries. Snoqualmie Valley Little League is one of two leagues in the area to field Challenger teams. Flexibility, adaptability, and fun are the top priorities of the program.

“I always dreamed that my boys would grow up and play sports like I did,” says Marsha Quinn, Challenger Coach/Director and parent. “For my son Camden, autism made that dream difficult, but Challenger Baseball made it a possibility.”

Games take place on Sunday afternoons late April through mid-June at Torguson Park in North Bend and Pine Lake Park in Sammamish. The team also travels to a jamboree in Woodinville.

If you are interested in supporting Challenger as a buddy or player, register online at www.svll.net/registration. Buddies participate at no charge; players have a minimal cost of $35, and scholarships are available.