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They want to hit, too

Downtown Little League will start league for mentally, physically disabled kids

By: Ricardo Kaulessar, Reporter Staff Writer

Daniel Rivera still recalls the time a youngster in a wheelchair stopped near the fence of the Roberto Clemente Little League Field on Sixth Street in downtown Jersey City.

"One day we were here playing, and there were a couple of kids in wheelchairs [heading] to Newport Mall," Rivera said. "One of them said 'I'll bet you that I can hit that ball off the kid that's pitching.' "

That memorable comment spurred Rivera to resurrect an idea for a new baseball league that had been proposed in the past for that field - a "Challenger" division for disabled youngsters from across the area.

Nationally, the Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball, Inc. to enable boys and girls ages 5-18 with physical and mental disabilities to play.

The word "challenge" is also apropos for this undertaking by the Roberto Clemente Little League, a sports fixture in downtown Jersey City for 35 years.

Over 750 kids play in the league every year, according to Rivera. The league has produced major leaguers including John Valentin and Willie Banks. They play on the fields on Sixth Street and Ninth Street.

According to Roberto Clemente spokesperson David Masten, the league will have to raise $2.5 million to convert the current field into one compatible for "Challenger" play. He also said the fundraising has already kicked off, and he hopes to start play for the Roberto Clemente 'Challenger" Little League for the opening of the season in April 2008.

"It's a lofty goal and a major, major challenge but one that is absolutely necessary," Masten said.

Masten is scheduled to meet with Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah Healy at City Hall on Monday, where Healy is expected to present a check for an undisclosed amount from the Jerramiah T. Healy Foundation.

Opening baseball to everyone

Miguel Lugo has been involved in the league since 1977 as a player then a coach, and has served over the years as a manager and president of the league. Now he is the public address announcer for their games - and walks noticeably with a cane.

But that is not by choice, as he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), is a disease that affects the central nervous system and causes a variety of symptoms including visual problems, muscle weakness, and problems with balance.

Masten said he is also afflicted with MS, as it affects his eyesight. Both say that's one of the influential factors behind the push for this league.

Lugo said, "We have a big umbrella here at Roberto Clemente, and we want to have the Challenger league under that umbrella."

Lugo also said there were a handful of disabled children over the years who have approached him about joining his league. And there were others who wanted to, he thinks. "Maybe they didn't know how to ask or were afraid they wouldn't fit in," Rivera said.

Baseball in a different way

According to guidelines set down by Little League Baseball, teams like Challenger are set up according to abilities, rather than age, and can include as many as 15-20 players participating in one of three levels: Tee-Ball, Coach-Pitch, or Player Pitch.

Each player gets a chance at bat, and Little League recommends that no score be kept during games. The side is retired when the offense has batted through the roster, when a pre-determined number of runs have been scored, or when three outs are recorded.

The Challenger players wear the same uniforms as others: shoulder patches and safety equipment.

The registration fee for the Challenger Division is $18 per team (same as for all other divisions of Little League). Accident insurance is set at the same low cost as other Little League divisions and is available through Little League Headquarters in Williamsport, Pa.

Also,Challenger Division baseball encourages the use of "buddies" for the Challenger players. The buddies assist the Challenger players on the field, but whenever possible, they should encourage the players to bat and make plays by themselves. However, the buddy is always nearby to help when needed.

Making commitments

Masten also pointed out the enormous amount of money that has to be raised, because the field on Sixth Street will need to be converted for use by both the "Challenger" league and the baseball teams that already play there. He said the field itself will have to be changed for its current natural grass surface to artificial turf; there will need to be breakaway bases with sound, for those who are blind, and other refinements.

Rivera said that the Jackie Robinson Little League, which plays out of Bayside Park in southern Jersey City, previously tried to get a Challenger league off the ground, but it failed because of economic constraints.

Masten said there is a commitment by the Jersey City Board of Education to get the information out about the league as well as provide personnel to help coach the players in the league.

Also, there are commitments from city officials to get the league running in April.

Masten said this would be the only Challenger league in Northern New Jersey, but there is one in South Jersey. And most importantly, Little League Baseball is providing a financial grant to get the new league started. Masten said he has also received commitments from some businesses that have sponsored the Roberto Clemente Little League in past years. But they are doing a publicity push including ads in newspapers and unique sponsorships.

He guarantees the league will be a reality.

"This is going to work, and I don't care if I have to write the checks," Masten said.

For more information on the "Challenger" league, call David Masten at (201) 344-2422 or e-mail david@opti-score.com

Comments on this story can be sent to rkaulessar@hudsonreporter.com