Abbotsford Challenger Baseball News

2015 was the First season Challenger Baseball was part of our Association and available in Abbotsford.

Challenger Baseball is an opportunity for children with cognitive or physical disabilities to enjoy the thrill of playing baseball, be part of a team, develop physical and social skills plus all the other benefits of participation in baseball at a level structured to their abilities. Games are played in a fun, safe environment where no score is kept. Our philosophy is very simple: 'Play, just for fun!!'

Thanks to Sponsorship, Grants, and Donation we were able to make it a no fee program in 2015, not collecting any league fees from the families who participated in Challenger.  We were also able to supply New Uniforms and New Batting helmets to keep for each player.

We had 14 Players register and  play Challenger Baseball in 2015.  At the beginning of the season we started off by visiting each family at their home to introduce ourselves, show them some baseball equipment and try on a helmet that they kept for the season.  From the 14 players two teams were formed.  Each week on Saturday's from 10am - 11am  we played a fun game at Ridgeview Park.  It was impossible to leave that park each week without feeling great.  Anyone that came out to help or watch could see how cool it was for the players and it was impossible not to spend the whole hour smiling.

A big part of the Challenger Baseball Program is Volunteers, "Buddies". We needed 2 Coaches and 1 buddy per player for each game. I was worried that organizing the volunteers for each game was going to be the hardest part of the season. I used a Online Sign up sheet for volunteers that had time slots that people could fill in for each week. It was a nice surprise that all the slots filled up so quickly and with very little soliciting from me. Our association came through big time to help out from our Angels we had:

• Coaches 
• Players 
• Parents 
• Umpires 
• Teams; Bantam AA, Bantam A 

From the community we had the Cardinals come out twice and other members of the community who committed to come out each week.

We attended BC Challenger Jamboree in Burnaby.  Each season one of the challenger leagues hosts a Jamboree which is a one day Challenger Baseball Day for all the challenger teams in BC.  There were over 13 different challenger teams there.  There was music, baseball games, food, and special guests like Ronald McDonald and Bob The Brown Bear.  We also attended the BC Challenger Night at the Nat, there was a discounted ticket price of $11 for the game. it was the San Diego Chicken Night too so the kids had a blast.  About 300 Tickets were purchased by Challenger leagues it was well attended.  Our season ending with a Wrap up and BBQ with awards for the players and coaches.

Challenger is a positive program for our Association and our community.  Our goal is to grow this program, serving families in our community and giving kids in our association the opportunity to volunteer and help others.  We are excitied about the 2016 Season. Registration is now open for the 2016 season on our website.

Thanks to Our SPONSORS who made it Happen!

 A Few Messages from our Families to our Sponsors

What an amazing opportunity for my son!  Thank You for helping make this team possible!  Lisa Champagne & Family

Thank You for helping to make this season of baseball possible.  It was a joy to experience the delight we saw as our children played.  Eva & Family

Thanks for helping us play ball.  Alexander & Family

 Mike Pratt and BMO Wealth Management are proud to support Challenger Baseball in Abbotsford

It's been serveral weeks since our last post about Abbotsford Challenger, it's been busy!  Here is a catch up post on what's been happening the last few weeks.

A Highlight for us this week was having the Bantam AA Team come out to the came.  The players did a fantastic job being buddies.  Thanks Players and Coaches!



Game 4, saw the Abbotsford Cardinals and the Abbotsford Bluejays facing off again.  The weather was beautiful.  The field was in great shape with freshly painted lines, on deck circles, and a big "A" for Angels behind home plate.  [Thanks Bantam AA Coaches for the field setup]

We had three solid innings of baseball.  It was a close game. Big offence from the Bluejays;
Jared had a huge day at the plate.  In the first inning he hit a home run.  Alexander went 3 for 3. Ethan also had a home run knocking in all the runners.  Noah and Nathan both showed outstanding base running.

The Cardinals were an equal match with great defence, not giving up much.  Eva made several good plays on the ball with good throws to first.  Katelyn and Eva in the second inning teamed up on a short hit ball and made a play to 1st, with the blue jay runner just beating out the throw.  On offence Alexander continued his hot streak at the plate.  Along with Cody who has improved each week at the plate.  Aydan and Max both continue to help out on offence and defence.

Great Game!  Way to Go Blue Jays!  Way to Go Cardinals!  Another Entertaining game the fans loved it!

What an exciting and fun day it was, Saturday April 11 at Ridgeview Park in Abbotsford.  It was the opening day for Challenger Baseball.  After the planning and the anticipation it was great to finally have our first game.  The weather cooperated and sun even came out.

Thirteen players signed up for Challenger so far this season.  Players were divided into two teams, "Cardinals" and "Blue Jays."


Thirteen volunteers signed up online to be buddies to assist the players during game.  The volunteers included; Players, Coaches, and Parents from our association along with other members from the community.  Volunteers arrived at 9:30 AM and put on a Challenger Volunteer Shirt.  Before the players arrived we started with a quick buddy clinic to review the rules for being a buddy.

Thank You to the Toronto Blue Jays, the Jays Care Foundation, and Rogers Sportsnet for their incredible support to Abbotsford Challenger.

The Jays Care foundation provided all the equipment I needed to start the Challenger program in Abbotsford for this season.