For many kids, getting out on the baseball diamond is one of the highlights of summer. Baseball mitts are donned as soon as winter allows it, and baseballs begin flying soon after. Whether it is baseball, t-ball, or softball, diamonds and parks all over the country are full of children as we speak. But what about kids with special needs? Where do they fit into the national pastime?
Thanks to the work of the FM Challengers baseball league, children with special needs are given the same opportunity as anyone else when it comes to kicking up dirt and swinging for the fences. The league was started in 2007 by Karen Swanson and Kendra Routh. Initially, 42 kids participated during the first season; that number has now grown to over 100. The league allows the appropriate accommodations necessary to allow any child between the ages of 5-18 to participate. The primary difference between the Challenger league and traditional leagues is that there are no strikes involved in hitting. Each child bats until they hit. Other than that, however, the league concept is essentially the same.
There is an inherent sense of joy that accompanies each Challenger game. Maybe it because the competition factor has been largely eliminated from play; or maybe it is simply the fact that Challenge kids are doing something many thought impossible. Regardless of the origin, the joy these children feel is infectious. “They really love to be part of team and cheer for each other,” Swanson said. “We have a lot of differing abilities out on the field and they all play together and it really is a beautiful thing.”
One of the children currently involved with the Challenger league is fourteen-year-old Sawyer Chisholm. Sawyer was diagnosed with epilepsy, autism, and global developmental delays as a young child, although his parents Emily and Tom have never let the diagnoses define Sawyer. “His dad and I give him every opportunity that we can to be able to experience different things in life,” Emily said. Like most boys his age, Sawyer loves the outdoors. “Days spent doing outdoor activities make Sawyer so happy,” Emily explained. “He enjoys driving four-wheeler, going on tractor rides, driving lawnmower, and catching frogs, toads and other creatures.” Also like many boys, Sawyer tries to sneak many of his new friends into the house. “He keeps us on our toes at all times,” his mother said.
Sawyer has been involved in the Challenger league for the past two years. “We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful program like this in our community as once school is out, there are just very few activities for those with special needs to participate in over the summer months,” Emily said. Indeed, before the development of the FM Challengers, kids with special needs did not have any summer baseball opportunities. Many life lessons are learned on a baseball field, lessons that often carry through into adulthood. Being part of a team, learning about success and failure, persevering through the desire to give up – these are all learned through activities like baseball. Thanks to the FM Challengers, these lessons are not reserved for those without special needs.
Children with special needs often face public misconception. People frequently fear that which they don’t understand. The thing to remember, however, is that special needs children – although different – possess the same needs as anyone else. “I always advocate for acceptance for those with special needs, they have feelings just like everyone else,” Emily said. “Sawyer laughs, hurts and cries just like his Neuro typical brothers do.” Swanson echoes those sentiments. “I would love for people just to take the time to get to know those with special needs that are in their community,” she said. “They have so much to offer and are not to be afraid of.”
When Swanson and Routh first started to implement the idea of a special needs baseball league, they were initially met with a lack of support. Fortunately, the league has persevered in spite of that, and is now popular and thriving. The league initially played on the soccer fields at MSUM. For the past three years, however, they have been playing on a specially designed field aptly named Miracle Field. The field is similar to a regular baseball diamond in many ways. The primary difference is the playing surface, which is a rubber turf surface that is friendly to wheelchairs, braces, walkers, etc. “The Rotary Club raised the funds to build the Miracle Field and it has been an awesome place for us,” Swanson explained. “The surface is great for kids with any sort of mobility issues and we are so thankful to be able to use it.”
Too many times, people respond to kids with special needs by ignoring them. Whether it is out of ignorance or fear, this type of behavior perpetuates the myth that special needs children are not a part of mainstream society. This couldn’t be further from the truth, as evidenced by things like the Challenger league. People like Emily and Karen are fighting the public’s misconceptions on interaction at a time. “Please acknowledge the person within the disability, they are there, I promise,” Emily said. “Take a second to say ‘hi’ or give a smile, they may not be able to reciprocate back but know that the kindness of a simple gesture is being felt and appreciated.”
Activities like the Challenger league function at a high level thanks to their many volunteers. The best way to get to know these kids is by interacting with them. According to Swanson, the league is always in need of volunteers. “Anyone that has a desire to help is welcome,” she said. A volunteer application can be found on the league’s website and a background check needs to be completed prior to any actual volunteer work. Groups or individuals can also help sponsor a special event night. Interested parties can visit the website for more information.
Children with special needs may be different, but that doesn’t mean they need to be separate. Providing them with the same opportunities as anyone else is a way to make sure they are involved and embraced by their communities. We are a rich nation because of our diversity – that includes kids with special needs.
More information about the FM Challengers can be found at www.fmchallengers.com. The league plays on Monday and Tuesday nights at Miracle Field, located at 2000 40th Avenue South in Moorhead. Stop by and check them out. There is no such thing as too many supporters.
