SAN BERNARDINO>> Little League® Baseball and Softball held its 10th Annual Western Region Challenger Fun Days on May 20 and 21 at the Little League Western Region Headquarters, 6707 Little League Dr., San Bernardino, CA 92407.
Twenty Little League Challenger Division® teams, made up of players with intellectual and physical challenges, from Southern California and Mexico will attended the free event, thanks to the support of Gatorade and Stater Bros.
Games began at 8:45 a.m. on May 20, with Opening Ceremonies scheduled for approximately 10:30 a.m.
A special presentation was made to Gatorade and Stater Bros. for their support.
“It’s amazing to see these children set aside their challenges for a few days, have fun, and enjoy all of the things that baseball has to offer,” said Barbara Sky, co-organizer of the Western Region Challenger Fun Days in San Bernardino.
“Everyone who comes out to this event is special. And all of our volunteers work tirelessly to make sure this is an amazing event, and the smiles on the player’s faces are the ultimate reward.”
A full slate of baseball games was held May 20 for the Challenger Division players. Carnival games, prizes, swimming, basketball, and other activities will also be available to participants.
In addition, the San Bernardino Sunset Rotary Club will provide lunch that day, and players will enjoy a Mardi Gras-themed dance at 8 p.m. before camping in tent city or dorms.
The activities resumed at 10 a.m. on May 21 and concluded at 3 p.m.
“Challenger Jamborees, like the event in San Bernardino, are a wonderful opportunity for the players in our Challenger Divisions to come together and forge lifelong memories on the baseball field,” said Sam Ranck, Little League Director of the Challenger Division. “We are grateful to Gatorade and Stater Bros. for their support of the Western Region Challenger Fun Days to ensure that all children and their families can have the opportunity to have a fun, meaningful experience on the Little League fields at our Western Regional headquarters in San Bernardino.”
Little League International works closely with its national sponsors, like Gatorade, to help provide valuable support for local Little League programs around the world, including initiatives like this to support Challenger Division participants and families with free entry to the Western Region Challenger Fun Days.
Established in 1989, the Little League Challenger Division® provides boys and girls with physical and intellectual challenges, ages four and older, the opportunity to enjoy all that the game of baseball offers.
The program expanded in 2014 to include the Senior League Challenger Division, with no upper age limit for participation. More than 30,000 children participate in over 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.
This year, Little Leaguers® will be able to participate in nearly 30 Challenger Jamborees across the United States and in Canada.
The boys and girls take part in a baseball game with a variety of other activities throughout the weekend. For more information on the Challenger Division, visit LittleLeague.org.