PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A Little League team in Chester County was selected to play in an exhibition game in Williamsport this weekend as part of the Little League World Series. The game gives kids with special needs a chance to play ball.
Berwyn-Paoli will face East County Little League of Oakley, California, in the 2026 Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game on Saturday.
The Challenger Division was created in 1989 so players with physical and intellectual disabilities can get together and learn to play baseball. Gary Brooks, director of the Berwyn-Paoli Challenger program, said the division allows players to learn the fundamentals and improve their skills.
“You’ve got players that couldn’t hit the ball off the tee that you’re throwing overhand to, and they’re hitting line drives right back at you and you have to get out of the way on the pitcher’s mound,” he said.
Every player gets a turn at bat and to take the field. No score is kept.
Brooks said participating in the Challenger Division teaches children about more than just baseball.
“Being good sportsmen. Treating the referees and the other coaches and the other team properly. Cheering for their own teammates. All those things about baseball — those things create valuable life lessons,” he said.
“It’s not about creating a winning team. What it’s about is really having them have more success on the field, because we all know when you have more success on the field, you have a lot more fun playing baseball and enjoying baseball.”
The Berwyn-Paoli program is made up of about 50 Challenger players. Teens from the league’s Major Division are volunteering to help out on the diamond.
Both participating leagues receive a $15,000 grant from Little League International to help pay for the cost of participating. Sponsor Eggland’s Best will donate an additional $15,000 to each league.
The game gives kids with disabilities the chance to play Little League baseball
The game gives kids with disabilities the chance to play Little League baseball
