About Challenger Baseball

About Challenger Baseball

Butler County Challenger Baseball is a league created to meet the needs of physically and mentally handicapped children and young adults from 5 to 22 years of age. Challenger Baseball Leagues are affiliated with Little League Baseball.

The purpose of Challenger baseball is to give these special children and young adults a chance to play the great American game of Baseball. And, to have the opportunity to feel the joy of teamwork and success that is so rare in the life of a handicapped individual.

Currently Butler County Challenger Baseball is serving nearly 175 children and young adults in the Greater Cincinnati area with summer and fall baseball.  However, our league only has one field and it is now inadequate to the meet the needs of so many children and teams.  We are in the process of raising money and making arrangements to build a new diamond that is appropriate to our players requirements but much more needs to be raised.  This is a challenge we parents face that simply must be met with the same kind of enthusiasm and effort these kids put into every thing they do.

Butler County Challenger Baseball plays games at our own little "field of dreams" at Crawford Woods Park in Hamilton, Ohio.  Please check the "Schedule" page for times of games and come on out to see what it is all about.  If you come, you will see the kind of joy on the faces of our players that will make you remember what "playin' ball" is supposed to be about.  It simply doesn't get any better.

Challenger needs your help every year.  Whether it be playing in and sponsoring a hole in our yearly golf outing or participating in another fundraiser in another way, our needs are growing and real and we need your help.  If you or someone you know wants to sponsor a team or donate in any way to our league, please contact us via this web site. Please click on the "Contact Us" tab and send us an e-mail.

Butler County Challenger Baseball and our kids thank you for anything you can do.

See you at the park!!!

Challenger Baseball Video

A baseball league for kids with disabilities.

State Tournament

For all new players this is a must. Every year a state tournament is held in a different location. The tournament draws nearly 500 players every year. Most people travel to the tournament the night before because the tournament starts early Saturday morning.

Normally your child will play two games on Saturday and one game on Sunday. After games on Saturday there is a usually a dinner, dance or some other activity before the kids and parents go back to the hotel for relaxation and getting to know each other.

If it is at all possible to attend the State Tournament, please try to come.  When a family makes the trip for the first time, they never want to miss it again. You will meet wonderful children and caring families from all over Ohio.

The Ohio State Troopers Coalition has sponsored this event for several years now. Without them the tournament would not be nearly as wonderful an experience.

Please visit their website:

www.ohiotroopers.org/caring_des.asp  

This is why we have a Golf Outing every year. The money raised not only helps fund this league but we also strive to give every family that needs assistance some help with expenses. 

Interested in going to this years tournament? 

Here is what you need to do:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the age Limits?
A: We accept players between the ages of  5 & 22 years of age.

Q: Who is accepted in this league?
A: The league is designed for mentally and physically handicapped children and young adults. Learning disability students should have an IEP in place.

Q: Is this League for only Butler County Residents?
A: No. Even though we are named "Butler County" Challenger we accept kids from surrounding counties or states.

Q: Where and when are games played?
A: Our field is located just off of State Route 129, (the old Michael Fox Highway), and each team plays normally one game a week Monday through Friday. Occasionally there are two games a week.  See below for a map link.

Q: When is registration open?
A: Players can register February and March of each year. Registration ends normally in the middle of March every year. Unfortunately we have to turn down players every year because they have not made the deadline. The deadline has to exist in order to get all team equipment, uniforms, insurance and the field ready by the opening day in April. We are working on new online forms so that you can preregister for the following year.

Registration details will be announced in the News section.

Ball Field Location

Challenger Baseball plays its games on the Crawford Woods ball fields located in Hamilton OH.

Click here for an interactive map

Some of our games will be played in different locations. Driving directions can be found at the following links:

Oxford Community Park: Directions

LSO Field #12: Directions

Rain Outs

Scheduled games are not rained out unless posted on the website in the "News" section, or a Manager or a contact person calls you. Due to our weather and county differences, it may be raining where you live but not at the field.

Our field was designed to dry quickly in order to eliminate a lot of rain problems. 

If we know that a game will be cancelled in time, we will post it on this website.  However, there is no fool proof system so please work together to figure out a system that works for you.

We recommend  all parents meet at the first game and discuss a calling system. Someone who lives close to the field can check the field and make the call whether to have the game or not.