About Challenger

Challenger is a division of Little League Baseball that offers children with physical or mental disabilities the opportunity to participate in games we all love. These children face big challenges not encountered by other kids, especially in sports.

We help remove these barriers by supporting the building of the YMCA Challenger Athletic Complex. This complex is a unique and first of its kind facility in the United States.  Its plans include a baseball field and a flag football/soccer field made out of a rubber synthetic turf.  By using a smooth, rubber-like surface, wheelchairs and walkers are able to easily roll to the bases and down the field, in addition to providing a safe atmosphere for these more accident-prone kids. It also has an all-accessible playground along with two baseball fields with natural surfaces, and a grass football field.

Through this unique complex, we will have the opportunity to see able-bodied children playing on fields right next to those kids who are challenged with special needs. We know that children who play sports gain confidence in their skills and successes and also learn to be team players. These opportunities are rare and rewarding. All of this adds up to each child having a more successful and productive life.

The building has already began for Phase One with over $2.6 million of funds already committed to the complex.  An additional $1.9 million is needed to complete the entire complex.  Phase One includes the construction of the “Mark Teahen Challenger Baseball Field”, the “American Family Insurance Adaptive Football/Soccer Field”, an adaptive playground, accessible parking lot and infrastructure for the entire complex.  Phase Two will include restroom facilities, the “Trent & Julie Green Challenger Football/Soccer Field”, and two grass baseball fields.  We are looking forward to the 2011 Challenge Your Fashion event to help put us over the top so construction of Phase Two can begin immediately after Phase One is complete.

For more information about the Challenger Sports programs, please visit the Adaptive Programs section of the YMCA of Greater Kansas City’s website.