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League opens ballfield to children with disabilities Date published: 1/19/2010
BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE
Scott Neal has coached three sons through almost two decades of baseball seasons. But the past three years have been his favorite. Almost four years ago, Neal and a group of parents started the Challengers Division of Spotsylvania County Little League. The county was getting its own league, and Neal immediately wanted to create the division for players with disabilities. At the time, he had a toddler with Down syndrome, the youngest of his four children. This year, Neal's daughter will be old enough to join Challengers, which offers baseball for children 5 to 18. About 30 players usually sign up for the division, but Neal would love to recruit more. The county's Little League accepts only players from Spotsylvania, but the rules aren't as strict for Challengers. Any child who lives in a locality without a Challengers Division could play for Spotsylvania's Challengers. The only nearby locality with a division is King George County. Spotsylvania's team sometimes plays the King George team. Usually, the Spotsylvania Challengers have two teams, but if more players sign up, the division could have more teams. They play games on Saturdays, and there is no pressure, Neal said. "We just play baseball for an hour, or an hour and a half," he said. "It's just a good time, and the kids just have a blast." At first, many parents sit in the dugout, hovering. Many are not used to their children playing team sports. But by the end of the season, Neal said, parents sit in the bleachers, cheering their children. Each player gets a buddy--a volunteer from the Courtland or Spotsylvania High School baseball team. And the best part, he said, is the lack of competitive spirit. "It's nice going to a game where everyone just wants everyone else to do well," Neal said. "Everyone cheers for all the kids, and it's such a good time." Amy Flowers Umble: 540/735-1973
Read more stories about Spotsylvania Date published: 1/19/2010
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