“It’s been in motion several times,” said Nick King, Warren County Youth Baseball/Softball Association (WCYBSA) board member.

Nearly a year ago, a group headed by members of WCYBSA, Warren Rotary, and the Warren County Commissioners approached the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission with a proposal. The panel liked what it heard, but the group is still seeking support for the project months later, especially given a change in governmental officials in the past year.

King said a Little League Challenger Division game held June 17 at the Farm Colony Complex between a Warren team sponsored by Morrison Trucking and a team traveling from Bradford created a spark. An estimated 75 players, player helpers and coaches attended, allowing parents of players the rare opportunity to just be fans in the stands, so to speak.

According to LittleLeague.org, the Challenger Division was founded in 1989, and is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate.

Sophie McCracken, pictured at left, throws the ball during a recent Little League Challenger Division game at the Farm Colony Complex in North Warren.

“If an individual can participate in the traditional Little League Baseball or Softball program with reasonable accommodations, they should do so,” according to the worldwide youth organization. “The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players ages four to 18; or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school.”

King’s daughter has a rare genetic disability that makes the Challenger Division paramount in his and her life. He helped revamp the WCYBSA Challenger Division two years ago “to get every kid involved,” he said. “Any kid, no matter what disability.”

Challenger games can be played as tee ball games, coach pitch, or many other adaptive ways.

It also encourages “buddies” for Challenger players. Buddies can assist players on the field and encourage players to bat and make plays themselves. The buddy is always nearby to help when needed.

“First off, it’s about the kids,” said King. “And second off, it’s about the parents.”

Times Observer photos by Jon Sitler Henry Stearns eyes the ball during a recent Little League Challenger Division game at the Farm Colony Complex in North Warren.

The more “buddies” volunteering, the more parents can enjoy the Little League Challenger Division atmosphere as fans, King said.

There are more teams than just Warren and Bradford in the region; to be honest, there are more players eligible to play in Warren. A regular Little League baseball field can be exclusionary. Thus, the need for an adaptive baseball field; the need for a location for the adaptive baseball field; and the need for governmental, public, and financial support for an adaptive baseball field.

“Our vision for the adaptive field and recreation complex is to remove the barriers that inhibit individuals with disabilities from participating in traditional sports programs or that strongly impact their level of successful participation,” said the original proposal. “By providing an ADA-accessible field that includes accommodations to meet specific needs, such as a rubberized surface for those with ambulatory difficulties and adaptive equipment for the hearing and vision impaired, we can provide more recreation options for all children and youth of all capabilities…

“Our community group developed the Adaptive Baseball Field and Recreation Complex project in response to the current lack of appropriate facilities available to the Warren Little League and motivated parents and community members. We have been running a Little League baseball division for children with special needs called

Challenger Division, and the lack of inclusive field options is apparent. The success of the Rotary Club of Warren and the City of Warren Administration’s collaboration on the Lacy Park sensory-friendly playground has demonstrated the need for inclusive facilities and the ability to build a coalition of support for big and important projects. By engaging the Warren County Little League, the Rotary Club of Warren, the City of Warren, and the Warren County Commissioners, we will bring these leaders together to expand the vision for sports facilities in Warren County for persons of all abilities and backgrounds.”

That was the first pitch, which may not have looked good enough for the heavy hitters. King isn’t giving up.

“This is going to benefit everyone,” he said.

In a county of students with disabilities higher than the state average, “currently, no fenced-in, wheelchair-friendly fields in Warren County can accommodate multiple needs, including individuals using walkers and individuals with other ambulatory difficulties,” according to the proposal. “There are also no special needs, adaptive sports fields which accommodate visually-impaired or hearing-impaired individuals. The absence of these amenities creates challenges for families that would like to participate in tee-ball, little league, and other similar festivities.”

The multi-use field would include an additional concept of a mini-soccer field, and the community could use this location for Special Olympics or other sports in which turf is necessary. An turf field in DuBois has attracted Challenger athletes from four counties, spanning 70 miles.

“The 2023 (DuBois) season consists of over 100 players on eight different teams,” according to http://heindlfield.com/challenger-league/. “This summer, DuBois Challenger Baseball has a jam-packed, 48-game season with each team scheduled to take the field for 12 games.”

King said an adaptive field would make it “more enticing” for Challenger Division programs to travel from other counties.

The field project, according to the proposal, “will incorporate some simple but essential features listed here:

“Fields designed to remove barriers often found at typical baseball fields to allow those with ambulatory difficulties an accessible and safe place to play.

“Constructed out of synthetic turf with no raised surfaces.

“Fields require less maintenance.

“Fully fenced fields to increase safety for players at a higher risk of wandering.

“Large ADA-compliant dugouts allow all coaches and teammates to sit together.

“Seating so all family members can enjoy the game.

“A location that provides accessible amenities for families and friends to experience while at the game.

“Playground accessibility.

“Potential Mini Pitch soccer field

“Accessible walkways, parking, shelter area, and restrooms.

“Optional mini-soccer field.”

Locations investigated include Betts Park, Lacy Park, and the Farm Colony Complex, but there are potential issues with each.

The proposal’s figure in August 2022 was $533,650.40, but it would depend on many factors from financial support, including grants, and a location.

“We just need to regroup, honestly,” said King.