The Little League World Series Challenger Division Exhibition Game: $5,000 contribution

The Little League World Series Challenger Division Exhibition is the oldest and largest baseball league for adults and children with disabilities in the world. In Syracuse, players from across Central New York have the opportunity to create friendships around the team sport of baseball. Watching a Syracuse Challenger Baseball game is a magical experience where all worries melt away and the joy of being part of a team fills the air. New parents get in on conversations about parenting, schools, and what they are feeding their kids for dinner. All this happens while laughter and cheers ring out from the fun happening on the fields.

For our junior and adult leagues, the teams play for fun. There is no score during the games. Plus strikes, walks, and outs are not counted. The game lets every player get to bat and make a hit. When everyone has batted, the next team has a turn at the plate. Parents, coaches, family members, and friends are all encouraged to assist with batting, fielding, running, and throwing as necessary. The league prides itself on good sportsmanship and cheering every player as they do their best. The senior league plays at a higher skill level where players play the field and are ready to chase line drives or even home runs.

From over 900 eligible Challenger programs nationwide, Syracuse Challenger baseball was one of two Challenger Division selected to play in the 2023 Little League World Series Challenger Division exhibition game on August 26, 2023, at the legendary Volunteer Field at the Little League International baseball complex in Williamsport, Pennsylvania!! Our players, coaches, and families will not only be representing all special needs Challenger and able-bodied Little League players from the CNY region, State of New York, and Northeast United States and Canada, but they will also be the good will ambassadors of pure joy and camaraderie with Little League players from around the world who will be playing in Williamsport that weekend. The Rotary funding assisted in transportation, lodging, and practice jerseys.

Syracuse Challenger Baseball's participation in the Challenger Division World Series had a profound impact on children of all abilities for generations and serves as a catalyst to inspire our community to complete the "Superfield" of the magnificent all-inclusive Carrier Park Field of Dreams sports complex in Dewitt.