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PLAY BALL!
NELL’s Challenger Division Takes the Field by Sheila Turner-Hilliard Photos courtesy of Matt Catania Oh, how the sweet sounds of spring fill the air! Birds are chirping, kids are playing and bats are cracking over at Newtown Edgmont Little League (NELL). Baseball season is officially here! NELL has always been known as a special place in our community where kids of all playing abilities learn to develop their love of the game. But did you know that NELL is also home to our area’s longest-running special needs baseball program called the Challenger Division? NELL’s Challenger Division has been in existence for over 30 years now. The program was introduced to NELL by life-long Newtown Square resident Joe Catania, whose two special-needs sons, Jimmy and Luke, were inaugural players. Joe, along with his wife Maureen, have been growing the program ever since, and now Jimmy and Luke’s brother Matt, who grew up watching his brothers play Challenger baseball, is not only a coach and steady pitcher, but he also sits on NELL’s Board, representing the Challenger Division. Matt said that the Division’s goal is to give kids with physical and intellectual challenges the opportunity to play ball with their peers. “Our players enjoy being part of a team and playing a game that is structured to meet their specific needs,” he explained. Luke said his teammates help him be a better player. “When we practice together, we learn from each other.”
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Matt, Joe, Luke, Jimmy Catania and their #1 fan, Jack Catania
The Challenger Division welcomes players ages 4–21 and is inclusive of all physical and intellectual challenges. Players and their families participate in NELL’s Opening Day Parade and fundraising events, and their baseball season follows NELL’s regular-season schedule. Games are every Sunday at 12pm and spectators are welcome and encouraged. Matt explained that Challenger games are three innings long, with each team batting through their lineup each time. The last batter in each inning circles the bases and tags home before taking the field to play defense. Just like NELL’s Little League program, the Challenger Division relies heavily on volunteers and participation from community members. “Getting to know these kids and watching them as they work together as a team is truly a gift,” said Matt. Joe said that he has been very fortunate when it comes to volunteers. “People generally reach out directly to me, but we are always looking for more,” he said. “Special Education teachers and coaches are always natural fits.” Several years ago, when Jimmy and Luke aged out of the Challenger Division, the Catanias discovered that there weren’t many
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