Little League^® celebrated its 10^th year hosting the West Region Challenger Fun Days in San Bernardino, as volunteers and members of Little League Challenger Division^® programs in California and Tijuana came together for a weekend of fun on May 19 and 20. The event was free for all participants thanks to the support of Gatorade and Stater Bros.

“This weekend made me feel like Super Woman seeing all of the smiles and receiving hugs from all the participants,” said Barbara Sky, Co-Organizer of the West Region Challenger Fun Days. “If these Little Leaguers can’t make you smile, with tears in your eyes, nothing can.”

This year, the Jamboree saw representatives from Little League California Districts 24, 28, 42, 43, 49, and 72, as well as a team from Tijuana, and featured a full slate of baseball games for the Challenger Division players. Carnival games, prizes, swimming, basketball, and other activities were also available to participants.

“Challenger Jamborees, like the event in San Bernardino, are a wonderful opportunity for the players in our Challenger Divisions to come together and forge lifelong memories on the baseball field,” said Sam Ranck, Little League Director of the Challenger Division. “We are grateful to Gatorade and Stater Bros. for their support of the Western Region Challenger Fun Days to ensure that all children and their families can have the opportunity to have a fun, meaningful experience on the Little League fields at our Western Regional headquarters in San Bernardino.”

Little League International works closely with its national sponsors to help provide valuable support for local Little League programs around the world, including initiatives like this to support Challenger Division participants and families with free entry to the West Region Challenger Fun Days.

“These Little League Challenger Division players prove that anything is possible,” said Ms. Sky, who was recognized with the 2015 Little League Challenger Award for her volunteer efforts. “We had an eight-year-old Little Leaguer who has aluminum prosthetics for legs. During the event, he took them off and told me ‘I’m good with my legs, but awesome without them!”

For more information on getting involved with the Challenger Division and making a difference in the lives of young athletes, email challenger@LittleLeague.org.

About the Little League Challenger Division^®

The Little League 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. If an individual can participate in the traditional Little League Baseball or Softball program with reasonable accommodations they should do so. The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 4 to 18; or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school. The Senior League Challenger Division accommodates players ages 15 and above (no maximum age). For more information, including how to find a league, visit LittleLeague.org/Challenger.