The Challenger division enables boys and girls with physical and mental challenges to enjoy the game of baseball, along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. Little League established the Challenger Division as a separate division in 1989. Today, more than 30,000 children participate in more than 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide.
Starting age is 4 or 5 years old and Cupertino Little League welcomes Challenger players of ALL ages. Older Challenger players can also play in the Senior Challenger Division (there is no upper age limit for this division). Games are played on Sundays throughout the regular season.
Challenger games last about one hour and have two innings; everyone on the team hits. So both teams get two times at bat. Challenger teams follow tee ball rules, with coach-pitch. Everyone hits and everyone advances one base, except for the last batter who is the “home run” hitter and runs all the bases. When the home run hitter is running, courtesy dictates that everyone waits for the player to make it home before heading into the dugout.
Sometimes, after a hit, the coaches will throw out extra balls so the players have more opportunities to participate by catching and throwing. Though the defense may make plays to try to get a runner out, the runner is never out. They stay on the base and will advance when the next batter hits.
For information about Cupertino Little League’s Challenger Division, email challenger@cupertinolittleleague.org or visit Little League International’s Challenger Division’s website
Challenger division Buddy Program
What is the Buddy Program of the Challenger Division?
Challenger Buddies are peer athletes from our Cupertino Little League teams.
Buddies are individuals who assist Challenger athletes as needed in the areas of batting, base running, and defense. Challenger Buddies help provide protection if needed when the Cupertino A’s Challenger athletes are on the field. For instance, in case a player hits a line drive or a hard-thrown ball is heading toward a player, a buddy can catch it or knock it down.
Challenger players and their buddies warm up together for about 30 minutes before each game. It is a great time for buddies to allow the players and buddies to get to know each other.
Buddies can also provide guidance during the game, such as helping direct players around the bases. Finally, we encourage camaraderie between special needs kids and those without special needs.
Each team in the Minors, Majors, and Juniors Divisions “buddies up” with the Challenger As for at least one game during the season.
