A League of Their Own

Baseball is the national pastime, but for children with disabilities, it can be difficult to get involved with the sport. Fortunately, a local Scotts Valley league offers children with special needs the opportunity to hone their skills and, more importantly, to just have fun.

The Scotts Valley Challenger League is designed specifically for children ages 5 to 18 who have developmental disabilities and may not be able to compete at the regular Little League level.

In its 11th season, the Challenger League is open to all Santa Cruz County residents, with games being played Sunday afternoons on the Scotts Valley Little League fields.

Les and Brenda Miller have successfully run the program with funding and support from Scotts Valley Little League. Elizabeth Skolnik’s son, Jerry, participates in the Challenger League and has nothing but praise for the entire program.

“The league has been a wonderful community service for all involved,” Skolnik said. “When you get kids without disabilities to help out, it’s a win-win situation for everyone. It tells a lot about the SV community; they take the time to make a difference.”

Challenger players learn the fundamentals of baseball and experience the wonderful feeling of team camaraderie. Each player has a chance to bat, run the bases and play on the field with the help of volunteer coaches and buddies. Buddies come from Scotts Valley Little League and girls’ softball teams. This is a one-of-a-kind program enabling “typical kids” to build character, compassion, sportsmanship and form friendships.

“The combination of girls and boys that come out to help is an enjoyable and entertaining experience,” Brenda Miller said. “The biggest thing a buddy does is to be a friend to the players.”

At any given game, the bleachers are crowded with family, friends and fans who come out to cheer on the players.

Jerry’s older brother, Dylan, likes to watch the games from the stands to give Jerry the opportunity to be “the star.”

“My brother really enjoys playing baseball; this is his moment,” Dylan said.

Dylan recently made a video as a community-service project to promote the local Challenger League. He wanted to do something to get the word out that there is this type of baseball league for kids with physical and mental challenges.

Challenger games will be on April 3, May 1, 15, 22 and June 5.

The season will conclude with the teams attending the Scotts Valley Little League closing ceremonies on June 11.