Horsham Challenger Little League

Horsham Challenger Little League
1020 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044

Contact: Stan Jaskiewicz, Challenger Coach, 215-241-8866, sjaskiewicz@lawsgr.com

Although we teach baseball, that is just a means to our real goals: socialization and recreation for children with disabilities. We play noncompetitive games, with no outs or scoring.

We want each player to learn that he or she can have fun being active and outdoors, which many families may not have known was possible for a child with a disability. Until registering their child in our league, parents often have been reluctant to let their child try any sports. Many parents and relatives of persons with disabilities have given up on fitness and recreation, because they thought there was no place for their child in organized sports.

We also have always tried to provide families typical experiences that may be difficult with a child with a disability. With the support of community organizations such as the Rotary Club of Horsham and College Settlement Camp, we provide our players, and their families, a “picnic game” each May, a year end pizza party (complete with trophies for each player), and occasional gifts (such as hoodies and baseball jackets). We always encourage parents, siblings and grandparents and other relatives to attend our events.

Just as Challenger baseball lets our players have fun, it also allow their families to enjoy their children’s childhood, as families, without the complications caused by their disabilities. We do not charge families to participate, but ask those who can afford it to pay the regular league registration fee. We also welcome players from all areas (whether in Horsham or not), since many Little League programs do not offer a Challenger program.

We appreciate “buddies” who work 1-on-1 with players in the field, on basic skills, but, more importantly, on being a friend. Little League has many publications online about the technical details of how to be a buddy,

https://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/divisions/Challenger_GamePlayGuidelinesForBuddies.pdf
https://www.littleleague.org/learn/about/divisions/challenger.htm
https://www.littleleague.org/Assets/forms_pubs/divisions/Challenger-StartingADivision.pdf

Here’s our explanation:
Do You Have What it Takes to be a Buddy? 

Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead.
Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.

By volunteering as a Buddy, you can help baseball players who are just like your children, but who happen to have a disability, in the Horsham Little League Challenger Division. With over 70 families playing in recent years, we need “Buddies” to help our players in the field, running the bases and batting. Challenger baseball not only develops physical skills, but also gives players the confidence and self esteem to succeed, both on and off the playing field.

No special training is required, other than patience, a cheerful attitude and a willingness to help others – you qualify to be a Challenger buddy if you can give a high 5, a big smile, or any other form of encouragement. Service credit is available for consistent participation by students.

If you or your child would like to help, please contact Challenger Player Agent Stan Jaskiewicz at sjaskiewicz@lawsgr.com or at 215-241-8866. Please feel free to circulate this message to your players and others who may be interested in volunteering – all volunteers must pass a Little League background check. Little League publishes “Buddy Guidelines” for Challenger Division.

According to a Middle Eastern proverb, a man walked past a beggar and suffering persons, and asked, “Why, oh God, do you not do something for these people?” To which God replied, “I did do something, I made you.”

Our games times each Spring season are Tuesday or Thursday, 6 pm – 7:30; Saturday 9 am – 10:30 am.