LULING – All baseball games need an audience, and St. Charles Parish is encouraging the public to attend upcoming Challenger baseball games, which give mentally and physically challenged youth a chance to play.
Games will be held at 6 p.m. May 27 and June 3 and 10 at the West Bank Bridge Park’s Dow Field. West St. Charles Little League organized the program in conjunction with the St. Charles Parish Recreation Department.
The games are a result of Parish President V.J. St. Pierre’s desire to provide more recreational opportunities for children with disabilities.
“One of my goals was to make sure our recreation department would provide services for all citizens, regardless of ability,” he said. “I’m so proud of these spirited players, and I’m looking forward to cheering them on.”
Teams are set up according to abilities rather than age. They can include as many as 15 to 20 players who participate in T-ball, coach-pitch or player-pitch. Each player gets a chance at bat, and a team is retired when the offense has gone through its entire roster. No score is kept during games.
The program encourages the use of “buddies” for Challenger players. Buddies assist players on the field but encourage them to bat and make plays themselves. West St. Charles Little League’s 15- and 16-year-old baseball team players, as well as friends and family members, have volunteered to be “buddies.”
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on site.
The mission of St. Charles Parish government is to provide high quality, efficient services to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all residents of St. Charles Parish.
Be the first to comment