By Tim Arnett
WABASH,Indiana – After the first attempt on June 4th was canceled due to a chance of rain, the opening day of the second-annual Wabash Little League Challenger Division took place in the City Park at the old Minor League diamond now known as “Doc” Pfeifer Field. The Challenger Division bills itself as adapted baseball for athletes with special needs ages 5 though 22. There are two teams in the division made up of physically and developmentally challenged players who desire to play ball just like their friends and siblings.
Last year’s inaugural season was marred by numerous problems, from games being rained out to games being scheduled in May and June in the heat of the afternoon. This year’s games have been rescheduled to 9 am in an attempt to beat the summer heat. Unfortunately, the temperature Saturday’s morning at game time was already a warm 80 degrees, a fact which Challenger Division Commissioner Sam Hipskind called a bit of a concern.
The two teams playing this year are the Cubs and the White Sox – a nod to the crosstown classic. The Cubbies had a chance to assemble and take pictures before the members of the White Sox team arrived from Vernon Manor Children’s Home. Wabash Mayor Scott Long spoke before the game and said, “The thing about this league is that it’s for the joy of the game. These kids love the game and it takes it back to what baseball truly is, in my opinion.”
Each Challenger Division game consists of two innings: the first and the ninth. Each player gets a chance to bat each inning and, so long as they hit the ball, they get on base and eventually score a run. Helping those kids, whether they need physical assistance or not, is a buddy. If a kid can’t swing a bat, a buddy will do it for them. If a kid can’t push themselves to first and around the bases, their buddy will help them. And the games are not low scoring affairs. While score is not kept, several grand slams were recorded during those two innings.
Excluding athletes, there were about 50 attendees Saturday morning, including coaches, buddies, volunteers and spectators. Shelley Hipskind is the coach for the Cubs and tells MiBash News what opening day means for her son.
Donna Highley knows most of the kids in the game being that she is a physical therapist at the Wabash-Miami Area Program. She came to the game to be a cheerleader for her kids.
Commissioner Sam Hipskind.
While the profoundly disabled did not show emotion as they rounded the bases, those less profound or those whose disability was merely physical absolutely delighted in playing ball like their siblings. And the smiles on their faces were proof that this division is a very good idea, indeed. The next Challenger Division game will be held this Wednesday, June 15th at 7:30 pm, under the lights of “Doc” Pfeifer Field.
