California District 42 Little League’s Challenger Jamboree took place June 1 at South Bay Little League in Chula Vista.
The event, which attracted about 170 participants, featured teams from neighboring Mexico (Tijuana and Mexicali) and Imperial Valley as well as groups representing El Cajon Western Little League, South Bay Little League and Eastlake Little League from District 42.
Little League Baseball’s national organization established the Challenger Division in 1969 and has embraced it at the local level across the country.
According to Little League Baseball’s website, the program allows mentally and physically disabled youths the full benefits of Little League participation in an athletic environment structured to their abilities. The program is available to any special needs child between the ages of 5-18 or who is in an ongoing high school program.
According to the national organization, more than the skills of baseball are learned through the experience of participating in the program. The value of the Little League Challenger Division is found in the proven therapeutic and socialization benefits of participating in sports, the strengthening of participants’ self-esteem, the opportunities to mainstream into other divisions of play, and the disciplines of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play which are hallmarks of the Little League program.
Challenger Division participants learn not only the fundamentals of baseball, but also how it feels to be just like other children pulling together as a team, being cheered and earning awards for their achievements.
District 42 had a sizable presence at the June 1 event, though both the Tijuana and Mexicali programs were well represented.
Lily Walter has served as Challenger Division coordinator for South Bay Little League for 10 years. The program has been in existence for 24 years.
The local league has 55 participants enrolled from ages 5 through adult. Boundaries for the South Bay Little League Challenger Division are areas from San Ysidro to National City and east of Eastlake Little League, which has its own Challenger Division.
Walter said the South Bay Little League Challenger Division encompasses three levels based on age and ability.
“Young players get to play with young players (while) older kids are separated by ability,” she said. “Moderate kids get to play with moderate players; advanced kids don’t get mixed in with everyone. We’d be holding them back if they did not play up to their highest level.”
Walter said interaction with their peers is as important for children with disabilities as it is for able-bodied children.
“It’s important for the kids to play at their fullest potential because it instills confidence,” Walter explained. “They get to form friendships with kids who function at the same level that they do.
“One of our goals is to build a community for the players, making friendships that will follow them all their lives. It’s a blessing for these kids.”
The Padres’ Swinging Friar mascot was on hand to greet all the participants during a gala pregame introduction ceremony. The Swinging Friar was a hit with both younger and older participants.
The jamboree featured games for young teams, moderate teams and advanced teams based on age and disability level.
Games were scheduled every hour. Some participants needed an able-bodied buddy to compete. Two participants were in wheelchairs while another used a walker.
The event was topped off by a USA-Mexico all-star game featuring the 10 best players.
District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero lauded the effort that individuals like Walter and her husband David have put into the program.
“I think it’s an essential part of Little League,” explained Lucero, who has served as district administrator since 2008. “I’m very proud of this program. It gets every kid involved in baseball regardless of their ability.”
“We’re all a family,” South Bay Little League president Mark Englebrecht said.
Kristin Dimler serves as the Challenger Division representative for El Cajon Western Little League. She got involved in the program six years ago through her son Anthony; this year is her first as the division representative.
She’s is obviously enjoying championing the cause of the program.
“El Cajon has a large community of special needs,” Dimler explained. “We found out about the program through a friend. I grew passionate about it and took it over.”
California District 41 Little League, which serves East County, hopes to expand the program to all of its 16 leagues.
The Challenger Division program at El Cajon Western Little League has 43 special needs individuals registered in the program, which has been in existence for 10 years, according to Dimler.
The current program features two younger teams and two older teams. The season runs from February through mid-June. There are no residency limits.
The El Cajon Western Little League Challenger Division will hold a season-ending championship event on June 14 at Tuttle Park, 379 W. Chase Ave., El Cajon, starting at 6:30 p.m.
It will be a chance for participants to share in the friendships they’ve developed with others over the season as well as enjoy the game of baseball under the lights in a showcase setting.
Dimler brought one of the league’s younger teams to participate in the District 42 Little League Challenger Jamboree.
She said the exposure beyond the borders of East County was important for her group of young ballplayers.
“The biggest thing is to get more inclusion with other leagues and us,” she said. “It’s nice to get more exposure, more kids involved.”
For more information, visit the websites at cad42.teampages.com or www.ecwll.com or email challenger42baseball@gmail.com.
CALIFORNIA DISTRICT 42 LITTLE LEAGUE:
Tournament of Champions promises to deliver exciting results
California District 42 Little League’s annual Tournament of Champions is underway following five preliminary-round Major Division games played Wednesday (June 12) and Thursday (June 13) at Sweetwater Valley Little League.
This year’s Major Division format features the division champions from all nine leagues within the district but has received a tweak with teams participating in two groups leading into Friday’s semifinals.
In games on Wednesday, Southwest defeated Luckie Waller, 8-2, while Imperial Beach outscored South Bay, 19-0, to start play in one group.
In games on Thursday, Chula Vista American doubled up Park View, 6-3, while Sweetwater Valley topped Eastlake 8-1.
Friday’s semifinals will pit Southwest against Imperial Beach and Chula Vista American against Sweetwater Valley. The winners of both games will advance to the championship game Saturday at 1 p.m. at Chula Vista American Little League.
“I think it’s starting off as we anticipated,” district administrator Ernie Lucero said. “There has been a high level of competition in the Major Division so far from teams in each league.
“It’s more competitive with two groups. It gives a chance for teams from the smaller leagues to play in the championship game against teams from the larger leagues.”
The Major Division is only the starting point. Tournament of Champions winners will also be crowned in 6U, 7U, 8U and Minor Division levels.
“Starting with the 6U, 7U and 8U divisions, it’s going to be one of the best tournaments in San Diego County,” Lucero noted.
Thursday’s highlights:
- Shane Miranda went 3-for-4 with two RBI and teammate Sebastian Garcia went 2-for-3 with two RBI as the Chula Vista American Majors champion Yankees defeated Park View’s Padres by a score of 6-3.
- Kapono Nakanelua earned the win on the mound and Ethan Otero slammed a two-run home run as the Sweetwater Valley Majors champion Athletics defeated Eastlake’s Rays by a score of 8-1. The Athletics built an early leads of 2-0 and 4-0 before eventually extending their lead to 8-0. The Rays spoiled the A’s shutout bid with a run in the sixth inning.
MAJOR DIVISION SCHEDULE:
Wednesday, June 12:
Southwest 8, Luckie Waller 2; Imperial Beach 19, South Bay 0
Thursday, June 13:
Chula Vista American 6, Park View3
Sweetwater Valley 8, Eastlake 1
Imperial Beach 7, Chula Vista National 3
Friday, June 14: semifinal games at 5:30 p.m. at Sweetwater Valley Little League: Chula Vista American vs. Sweetwater Valley; Imperial Beach vs. Southwest
Saturday, June 15: championship game at 1 p.m. at Chula Vista American Little League: Chula Vista American-Sweetwater Valley winner vs. Imperial Beach-Southwest winner
Key dates
6U TOC schedule: June 15-24 (preliminary play at Chula Vista American/Imperial Beach; semifinals at Sweetwater Valley; finals at Imperial Beach)
7U TOC: June 15-24 (preliminary play at Chula Vista American/Imperial Beach; semifinals at Sweetwater Valley; finals at Imperial Beach)
8U TOC: June 15-24 (preliminary games at Southwest/Imperial Beach; semifinals at Sweetwater Valley; championship game at Imperial Beach)
Minor Division TOC: June 15-24 (preliminary games at Chula Vista American/Imperial Beach/Southwest; semifinals at Sweetwater Valley; championship game at Imperial Beach)
Intermediate League All-Stars: June 18-24 at Imperial Beach and Sweetwater Valley
Junior League All-Stars: June 27-July 1 at Park View Little League
MAJOR DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Park View Little League: Padres
Chula Vista American: Yankees
Chula Vista National: Dodgers
Eastlake Little League: Rays
Sweetwater Valley Little League: Athletics
Imperial Beach Little League: Rockies
MINOR A DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Park View Little League: Yankees
Eastlake Little League: Team Ringgold
Sweetwater Valley Little League: Young Guns
Imperial Beach Little League: Team Sylvest
MINOR B DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Eastlake Little League: Team Burdick
Sweetwater Valley Little League: Hype Sluggers
CAPS DIVISION CHAMPIONS:
Sweetwater Valley Little League: Showtime
Photo Gallery by Phillip Brents
Sweetwater Valley Athletics vs. Eastlake Rays:
Chula Vista American Yankees vs. Park View Padres:
Imperial Beach Rockies vs. Chula Vista National Dodgers:
T-Ball Jamboree helps get season rolling at Sweetwater Valley Little League
California District 42 Little League hosted its 13th annual T-Ball Jamboree event April 27 at the Sweetwater Valley Little League Complex. Forty-six teams from the nine leagues within the district participated in inter-league games throughout the day.
The district’s T-Ball Jamboree is the only known event among San Diego County Little Leagues where the youngest and newest Little League players (ages 4-6) take part in games between other leagues and receive the fun and excitement of “all-star” play.
An awards presentation followed the games.
The T-Ball Division introduces the game of Little League baseball and through this program, the goal is for these young players to develop friendships, a love and enjoyment of the sport and create lifelong positive memories, according to District 42 administrator Ernie Lucero.
“This age division is the foundation of our district,” Lucero said.
Participating teams on Field 2 included:
IB Rascals, Park View Pirates, Chula Vista Americanb Brewers, Southwest Little Sox, Eastlake Fernandez Padres, South Bay Braggs Padres, Park View Sluggers, IB Little Friars, South Bay Regan Padres and Eastlake Penteriani Padres.
Participating teams on Field 3 included:
South Bay Patron Padres, Luckie Waller Raptors, IB Braves, South Bay Martinez Padres, Southwest Little Brewers, Chula Vista National Team Knudson, Sweetwater Valley Power Rangers, Chula Vista American Mets, Luckie Waller Aztecs, Sweetwater Valley Brown Bears, Park View Rockets and IB Aztecs.
Participating teams on Field 4 included:
Chula Vista American Reds, Sweetwater Valley Yellow Tree Frogs, IB Warriors, South Bay Avila Padres, Eastlake Garza Padres, Luckie Waller Rainbows, Park View Warriors, South Bay Harrison Padres, South Bay Degodoy Padres, Eastlake Lake Provanzano Padres, Sweetwater Valley Micro Raptors and Chula Vista American Giants.
Participating teams on Field 5 included:
Park View Bandits, South Bay Perez Padres, Chula Vista National The Machados, Sweetwater Valley Tony’s Little Tigers, Luckie Waller Blue Devils, Eastlake Dixon Padres, IB Rockets, Eastlake Guernsey Padres, Park View Hurricanes, Chula Vista Marlins, Chula Vista American Rays and Sweetwater Valley Lions.
