New Division to Start Next Year : Little League to Take In Disabled

Little League Baseball announced today a program to allow disabled children nationwide to play baseball and softball in a new division starting next year.

Called the Challenger Division, the program is aimed at youngsters aged 6 through 18 with physical and mental disabilities.

“Every child should have the cherished opportunity to wear a Little League uniform, and that is the goal of the Challenger Division,” said Creighton J. Hale, president of Little League Baseball. “We are simply extending the benefits of Little League participation to disabled children and filling a void that has existed in their lives.”

The program was unveiled at a news conference in the Capitol office of Senate Minority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), chairman of a task force formed by Little League Baseball in 1988 to develop the program.

“One of childhood’s most treasured experiences is Little League baseball participation,” said Dole, who was an athlete in college before suffering disabling injuries in World War II. “Now . . . every child can enjoy our great summer game and learn lessons that will last a lifetime.”

The Challenger Division was inspired by baseball programs for the disabled that parents started in four cities, the first of which began in Brockton, Mass., in 1985. A similar program was formed in Bristol, Conn. in 1986, with others now in Spring, Tex., and Louisville, Ky.

‘Sheer Rhapsody’

“I can’t tell you the joy and pleasure and sheer rhapsody of these kids being able to participate in America’s No. 1 sport,” said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), who served on the Little League task force and has thrown out the opening baseball to start the summer league in Brockton the last three years.

One of the organizers of the Connecticut program, Ed Beardsley, and his 11-year-old son, David, attended the ceremony. David, dressed in his uniform, presented a book with team pictures to Kerry.

Ten-year-old Joe DeLaRosa, of Spring, Tex., who has spina bifida, gave a baseball jersey and cap to the senator. Today is Joe’s birthday.

“It’s been great,” said Brenda DeLaRosa, his mother. “Baseball has always been his favorite sport.”

Participants in the Challenger Division will play with the same equipment and on the same fields as other Little Leaguers. Hale said the rules are more flexible to allow local programs to tailor games to meet the needs and skills of participating youngsters.

Hale did not know how many cities would establish programs for the disabled in the 1990 season but he said a future goal is to have a World Series championship for the Challenger Division.