Challenger Baseball looking to take flight in Steinbach

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This article was published 04/09/2023 (620 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Baseball in the Southeast could become a lot more accessible next season, as the Challenger Baseball program is looking to set up a league based out of Steinbach.

Challenger Baseball gives children with cognitive or physical disabilities an opportunity for a full baseball experience. Each player is assigned a buddy to assist the challenger player during the game.

A showcase game was held at A.D. Penner Park Aug. 26, to give potential participants a taste of what challenger baseball is all about. The game was organized by Manitoba Challenger Baseball coordinator Vanessa Zebinski.

“It’s a fun, safe way for kids and adults, for people with disabilities to learn the game of baseball, play the game of baseball,” Zebinski said after the game in Steinbach.

“It’s just a really great atmosphere to be in.”

Five minor baseball associations in Winnipeg have Challenger baseball divisions, and the program is beginning to branch out beyond the Perimeter Highway. Morden recently began a Challenger Baseball program. Zebinski added that Brandon will also have a league next season, in addition to the prospective one based out of Steinbach.

“There’s a lot of potential out here,” Zebinski said, noting the area has built up a strong baseball culture.

“There’s a lot of families with people with disabilities in their lives, so we are happy to start something, and hopefully get something going out here next season.”

While Zebinski was talking, a parent walked up to thank her for putting on the event, saying her son had a great time, and even showed improvement throughout the game. Zebinski is a parent to a child which plays challenger baseball from his wheelchair, and sung the program’s praises from that front as well.

“(Baseball) is an easy game to learn on a basic level, hitting, throwing, catching, running,” Zebinski said.

“A lot of these kids just want something to do, to be part of a group. We just make it fun and easy for them to learn how to enjoy the game of baseball.”

Challenger Baseball is hoping to find a local league coordinator to help put together the program in the Eastman region next season.

“It’s been rewarding and exciting at the same time,” Zebinski said on her own involvement with the program.

“I think that Steinbach and the surrounding area could really benefit from this. There’s a really great opportunity out here. (A.D. Penner Park) is beautiful.”

The league will run once a week, with games taking roughly an hour and a half. A start-up grant will cover equipment.

The Challenger Baseball program is run in partnership with the Jays Care Foundation, as Major League Baseball’s only Canadian team in the Toronto Blue Jays have stepped up to provide equipment and help support the program. Over 9,000 people participated in Challenger Baseball across 283 programs around the country in 2022.

Zebinski noted the program features specialized equipment for people with all kinds of disabilities, including sensory, hearing and visual, among others.

“If there are needs to be met, we do our best to meet them,” she said, noting a new piece of equipment set to arrive soon will allow players in a wheelchair to swing a bat.

“It allows somebody who normally can’t swing a bat to hit a ball.”

Participants who came out Aug. 26 even walked away with a Blue Jays hat.

Zebinski said the best way to get in touch with her about either participating or volunteering in Challenger Baseball is through the provincial Facebook page (Challenger Baseball Manitoba), or through email, vanessa.mcclelland@gmail.com.