WMLL is proud to offer baseball for boys & girls with physical & mental disabilities through our Challenger League program.
Launched in 2009, our Challenger League offers an authentic Little League experience in an athletic environment structured to the ability of each player.
The Players: There are four Challenger League teams – each with 10-12 players. Each player takes a defensive position in the field & bats every inning. Players in the field attempt to make outs, but even if they do, the batter stays on base as a baserunner. Batters can choose to hit a coach pitched ball or off a tee. There are no strikeouts & no score is kept. A half-inning is over when all the players on a team have batted.
The Buddies: Every Challenger League player is paired with an able-bodied buddy, usually WMLL baseball & softball players. Buddies provide encouragement & assistance as needed on the field, at bat & in the dugout. The use of volunteer buddies allows the parents of Challenger League players to sit in the stands, watch the game and cheer on the players.
Challenger League in the News:
Click HERE for a WISC-TV News 3 feature on the Challenger League
Click HERE for an Isthmus feature on Jaden Weiss, a former Challenger League buddy
SUPPORT BY ATTENDING A GAME!: The season begins on August 31 & runs for five weeks, ending on September 28 if there are no rainouts. All games are on Saturdays (usually in the morning) & last for 1.5 hours each.
– Sat, Aug 31, Sat, Sep 14, Sat, Sep 21, Sat, Sep 28: 9:30 AM & 11:15 AM games
– Sat, Sep 7: 5:30 PM & 7:15 PM games under the lights!
SUPPORT BY VOLUNTEERING AS A BUDDY!: Buddies must be at least 11 years-old. Click HERE for more information
SUPPORT VIA A DONATION!: If you would like to make a donation to WMLL’s Challenger League or have questions about the program, please contact Challenger League Coordinator Randy Norton at randaln@charter.net or WMLL’s Executive Director Brian Beutter at brian.beutter@gmail.com.