Cheshire Challenger League; a Home Run for 20 Years

When driving by Darcey Elementary School on Waterbury Road, residents might notice a baseball game underway at the small ballpark near the road. The players may look like they're part of a typical baseball league, but it's a league with a unique twist, they're the Cheshire Challengers.

The league was founded in 1989 by Rindy Hardy, Bill Sloane, Mickey Ulizio, and Rick and Kathy Held. Home games have always been played at Darcey field. The league originally began to serve any child with a physical or mental disability between the ages of five and 21.

“The majority of the original board members have a child with a disability, and we were looking for a way to get involved in an activity that would be fun for everyone,” said Kathy Held.

After a few seasons it was decided that the league would be divided into two divisions. The first division was for younger kids between the ages of five and 12.

The younger children were separated into two teams playing against each other, the Mets and the Athletics. However, in 1993 the Athletics changed into the Rockies, as they are still named today.

The younger children play each other every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. and Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. Occasionally the two teams combine to play other children in Challenger leagues from surrounding towns.

The older children between the ages of 13 and 21 play for a travel team called the Red Sox. Besides home games at Darcey field, the Red Sox travel to towns such as Southington,  Berlin, Cromwell, and Watertown.

Each game is two innings long, and every child is allowed to bat in the inning and are allowed to stay in the batter’s box until a hit is made. No official score is kept.

“That is what I like most about this league, it is fun and non-competitive,” said  league president Doug Wippler, who has been running the league for three years.

Bob Anthony, a volunteer, said his son enjoys the league for another reason. “My son likes batting and the pizza at the end of the game most of all," he said.

Thanks to donations from Pop’s Pizza restaurant, free pizza has been available after every Challengers game almost since the league began.

Anthony is among a legion of volunteers who help keep the games running. The league also has helpers called “Special Buddies” who help players with batting and fielding if assistance is needed. There is also someone who volunteers to pitch for each team while the children bat.

“My favorite part about all of this, is seeing the smiles on the kids faces as they hit and run around the bases,” said John Bouteiller, an assistant coach with the Red Sox.

Bouteiller’s son Brent started playing for the Mets when he was only five years old. Now that Brent is 15, plays for the Red Sox.

“My favorite part of playing is hitting, I am known as the 'home run king' because I hit a ball over the fence in right field earlier this season,” said Brent Bouteiller.

While the players enjoy simply playing baseball, many parents see it as a good way for their children to socialize and make friends.

“I like that the league does their best to include everyone to the best of their ability, and it has allowed my son to befriend his teammates,” said Michael Olesen, whose foster son has been playing Challengers baseball for four years.

Players agree. “I have friends on the team who I enjoy hanging out with on and off the field,” said Brent Bouteiller.

The Challenger season runs from mid April through the middle of June. It wraps up with a party at Cheshire park where every player receives a trophy, and of course, pizza. 

For more information about the league, visit the Cheshire Challengers websiteor contact league president Wippler at dougwipler@aol.com.

Editor’s note: Kathy Held is the mother of Robert Held, who wrote this article.