The Champions Division is a baseball league that welcomes players between the ages of 4 and 18 who live in the School District 161 area. The league is designed to provide a fun and safe environment for players with physical or mental challenges that would keep them from playing in an unmodified league to learn and enjoy the game of baseball.
To ensure that every player has the opportunity to participate, buddies are available to assist players in the areas of batting, fielding, and base running when necessary. Buddies are also responsible for teaching players baseball skills and fundamentals. The coach of each team works with the players and buddies to set individual goals for each player.
The baseball skills and abilities of players on a typical Challenger team may vary significantly. For some players, a goal may be learning how to throw a baseball, while for others, a goal may be learning to field a ground ball, catch a fly ball, or swing the bat without the assistance of a
coach/parent/buddy. Some players may even work towards improving their abilities so they do not need regular assistance. In these cases, one buddy may be able to “float” between several players on the field and provide assistance when needed. As players improve their baseball skills, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment as they achieve their goals.
The Champions Division will be capped at increments of 10 participants to ensure every player receives the attention and support they need to succeed.