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 inaugural season of the Little League Challenger Division will be capped at increments of 20
participants to ensure every player receives the attention and support they need to succeed.