A Little League of Their Own

Ask any parent of a child with disabilities and he or she will tell you there's no greater joy than watching a son or daughter participate in an organized sport.

"But many of these parents get frustrated with the 'neuro-typical league' experience,'" said Glen Oaks Little League vice-president Dennis Noonan, who set-up the league's new Challenger Division.

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 by Little League International — the group that organizes Little Leagues across the U.S. — to provide access to the enjoyment of baseball for children between the ages 4 and 18 with physical and mental disabilities. 

"We're really excited to be able to bring it to the Glen Oaks community because it helps children," Noonan said, stressing that he would never have been able to get the league going were it not for the help of his wife, Deirdre.

"We want every kid to be able to experience everything," she said.

The Challenger Division, which holds its opening game this Saturday at 4 p.m., will do just that.

"It uses Tee-ball rules so every inning every child gets to bat, field, and run the bases ... The last to bat even gets the 'Grand Slam' home run," Dennis Noonan said.

According to Noonan, 'Challenger' teams are picked according to abilities, rather than age and can include up to 20 players.

As an added bonus, because the Challenger Division plays by T-ball rules, parents will get a unique opportunity to bond with their child by playing along side of the child on the field.

Today more than 30,000 children participate in over 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.

In its inaugural year, the Glen Oaks Little League currently has around 30 children in its Challenger Division. However, Noonan reported that while the season opener is this Saturday, enrollment will be extended for a few more weeks.

"We encourage anyone interested in joining the league to come see what we're all about," Noonan said.

Glen Oaks Little League plays games at the Glen Oaks Oval at the intersection of 260th Street and 74th Avenue.

For those interested in more information about the league, email Dennis Noonan at GOBBClinic@aol.com.