Ridge Meadows Minor Baseball is bringing a new program called Challenger Baseball this season.
Athletes aged four to 18 who have physical or cognitive disabilities can now get on the field.
Heather VanOene said she saw and advertisement about Challenger Baseball on television, thought it was something she would love to be involved with as a volunteer. She is a former softball player and has worked with special needs children in the school system. She has been pressed into duty as the association’s new Challenger Baseball coordinator, and brings enthusiasm.
“They get a uniform just like everybody else, and they’re on a team just like everybody else, and how cool is that,” said VanOene.
“We’re going to have some fun.”
She’s getting the word out, putting up posters in schools, and hoping to recruit as many new ballplayers as possible.
If there are enough new players, they will be divided into groups by age and ability.
She is also hoping that local high school students will volunteer with Challenger Baseball as buddies.
“Kids can use the volunteer hours for school, but we’re looking for kids who have a passion for it,” she said.
There are Challenger teams in other neighbouring cities, including Mission, Ladner and Port Coquitlam.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ organization knwon as the Jays Care Foundation gets behind the league, and their representatives are helping to organize Challenger
• For information contact VanOene at hvanoene@shaw.ca or call 604-512-9940.