When Maggie Edwards heard about a Challenger Baseball program in Burlington through a local parenting group, she thought it would be a great opportunity for her son.
Edwards saw it as a chance for Oliver, who has Down Syndrome and is autistic, to participate in the sport the family loves. The only drawback was the drive to Burlington.
But rather than lament the lack of a local program, Edwards began looking into it more and last summer launched Challenger Baseball Halton Hills. Supported by Baseball Canada and the Jays Care Foundation, the Toronto Blue Jays’ charitable arm, league organizers are trained and provided with a program and lesson plans designed to help engage players with a variety of cognitive or physical disabilities. Leagues are also provided with adaptive equipment.
And even though Edwards had high hopes for the program, it has exceeded her expectations.
“It goes beyond baseball,” she said. “The way it helps their confidence and social ability, the way they interact with their volunteer buddies; it’s more of a social thing, helping them play with other children.”
Activities can be tailored to suit the individual as well.
“We had one child who wouldn’t engage, so we asked what he liked,” Edwards said. “He loved watching things get dumped out, so we put a bucket of balls by the base so when he reached it, he could dump out all the balls.”
Edwards said there are players in wheelchairs who enjoy hitting a ball off a tee, others who enjoy running the bases. They even worked with the CNIB to get balls that jingle for visually impaired players.
“My daughter asked me, why don’t we have fun things like bases that squeak?” Edwards said.
The program launched with 10 players last year and Edwards is hoping to double that number this season. She was excited to see the first girl sign up recently.
Each player is teamed up with a volunteer buddy, who must be at least 12 years old. And the benefits extend beyond the players, teaching volunteer buddies about inclusiveness and interacting with people with disabilities. It also provides a chance for parents and caregivers to connect with one another.
“It’s rewarding for everyone involved,” Edwards said.
But the players are the main focus. And Edwards said the first year was a huge success.
“I was at a gymnastics class in the off-season and one of the kids still remembered me and came running up to me saying ‘Coach Maggie!’”
The Halton Hills Minor Baseball Association has teamed up with Challenger Baseball Halton HIlls to provide online registration. The program will run for eight weeks at 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoons between June 16 and Aug. 18 (except June 30 and Aug. 4). It will take place at Maple Creek Park at 14 Watson Rd. in Georgetown. It's open to anyone over the age of four. The cost is $25 for the year and each player will receive a T-shirt and a hat.
For more information about the program, email [email protected].
“It’s magical to sit back and watch their confidence soar,” Edwards said. “Belonging to a team is huge for their self-confidence.”
