Edgewater’s Challengers Baseball League Plays in Fort Lee

It was a cloudy, overcast day at the baseball field Sunday, when volunteers and parents enthusiastically assisted some special kids playing a special game.

The District 6 Challengers League is a special needs baseball league based in Edgewater, but on Sunday, they had a chance to play on the state-of-the-art turf field on Anderson Ave.

The Challenger League players held a warm-up practice before their big game. The Blue Jays played against the Jeff Price Team coached by Steve Severino. The athletes were excited to be playing the game they love on this “field of dreams.”

The teams normally uses Edgewater’s grassy little league field for their practices and games, but because of the recent rainy weather, the Hudson Riverside field was a flooded mess, said Blue Jays coach Elisa Cruz.

District 6 Challenger founder and coordinator Ita Saldana made a chance call to Fort Lee American League Vice President Paul Leale, asking him if the Challengers could use the weather-proof, turf field at Whitey Lang Park for practice and games on Sunday.

Leale, a longtime coach and supporter of a myriad of Fort Lee sports, granted the Challengers full use of the field.

During the game, the public address announcer called out each player’s name and number. Cheers, claps and whistles greeted each player as they came up to bat. As the fast-paced ball game carried on, smiles were seen on every face at the field. At the end of three innings, the score was tied, and it was time to have pizza at the American League’s clubhouse. It was an inspiring day for Fort Lee baseball, thanks to the volunteers, parents, the Fort Lee American Little League and especially the eager boys and girls of the District 6 Challenger Baseball League.

If you are interested in helping District 6 Challenger Baseball, contact District#6 Challenger Baseball 1167 River Rd, Edgewater, NJ 07020 or email Ita@D6Challenger.com.