Little League welcomes

Challengers

By Ashley Humbird Splash contributor

Baseball is often regarded as America's pastime. It is a game that has captivated the hearts of millions for decades, inspiring both young and old to come together and enjoy a friendly competition. For many children, playing baseball is a rite of passage, an opportunity to learn teamwork, sportsmanship, and the value of hard work.

However, for children with disabilities, this rite of passage can often seem out of reach. The physical and mental challenges they face can make it difficult to participate in traditional youth sports, which can lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion.

That is why the emergence of the Challengers baseball division in the Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley area for children with disabilities is so important. This division provides a safe and inclusive environment where children of all abilities can come together and play the sport they love. The teams are designed to cater to the unique needs of each child, ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to participate and thrive.

The Liberty Lake Spokane Valley Little League is made up of over 500 children separated into roughly 45 different teams across the area. Little League is a youth baseball organization that was founded in 1939 in Pennsylvania, USA. It is a nonprofit organization that provides a structured and organized environment for children ages 4-16 to learn and play baseball. Little League emphasizes the values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and fair play, and teaches children important life skills such as discipline, responsibility, and respect for others.

Kyle Stevenson is a board member for the Liberty Lake Spokane Valley Little League Chapter and is also the organizer of the Challenger Division, as well as a coach for two other little league teams. Kyle had previous involvement with a similar team that his son was involved with in the South Hill area. When that team dissolved, he and his wife looked for another team, but found the area lacking an inclusive and supportive team.

Inclusion is a fundamental human right that should be