WHAT DO YOU NEED? We welcome all children with disabilities on our junior, adult, and senior teams. Each child receives a jersey and a hat with his team’s colors and logo. There is plenty of equipment (bats, balls, helmets, gloves, bases, etc.) for the children to use, but players should bring their own gloves and bats if they have them.
NO FEES, JUST FUN, FUN, FUN!!! Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, there are no fees to play Challenger Baseball. All that is required is for children and families to come out and enjoy America’s pastime sport with the child’s peers in a wonderful summertime setting. Please let our sponsors know how happy you are that they are a part of the Challenger family!
Junior Division
GAMES: Each Syracuse Challenger game consists of two innings. All children bat in their respective half of the inning (no score is kept nor are any strikes, walks, or outs). Parents, coaches, family members, friends, all help out and are encouraged to assist the children with batting, fielding, running, and throwing as necessary. The children are taught good sportsmanship and very basic fundamentals of the game. Every child hits, runs, and scores!
TEAMS:
NALC CNY Merged Branch #134 (Red) – Coaches Maddy Cook and Bev Carlin
C Michael Exteriors (Green) – Coaches Jen Thayer and Brian Andrew Tucker
The Tymofy Foundation (Gray) – Coaches John Cometti Michelle Barry and Fina Santangelo
Access Exceptional Family Resources (Dark Blue) – Coach Heidi Feathers
Arc of Onondaga (Purple) – Coach Trinity Cottrell and Josh Brown
CNS Optimist Club (Orange) – Coach Mike Dlugozima
Adult Non-Competitive League
GAMES: We are thrilled to welcome adult players with special needs to our league. The adult non-competitive league runs with the same rules and spirit as the Junior League. The league is for players aged 15 and older.
TEAMS:
The Robert Family Diesels (Red Tie Dye) – Coach Jeff Jones Assistants Britney Jewell Becky Jones and Kevin Childress
The Weinstein Family Steamers (Orange Tie Dye) – Coaches Jim Sartori and Nancy Motondo
LIFEPlan Engines (Blue Tie Dye) – Head Coaches Kim and Michele Wimmer and Assistant Coach Jodi Tork
Harris Beach Murtha Express (Bright Green Tye Dye) – Coach Kelly Modelewski Assistant Coach Dawn Josniak – Bob Clukey – Pitching
The Tierney Family Locomotives (Purple Tie Dye) – Coaches Seth Grossman and Coaches Bob and Sue Tierney
JPW Companies Subways (Navy Tie Dye) – Coach Rick and Olivia Trunfio
The Gem Diner Monorails(Gray Tie Dye) – Head Coaches Kathy and Ron Joslyn and Coaches Mike and Josie Murphy
New 2026! CBM Family (Yellow Tie Dye) – Coach Travis Trudell and Asst Coach Linda Lance
Modern Kitchens of Syracuse Hoppers (Mint Fusion/Teal) – Coach Lori Dumas and Asst. Coaches Erin Pallet and Maggie Pallet
The Melo Roofing Boxcars (Pink & Yellow Florescent Swirl)- Coach Carrie Six and Asst. Coach Matthew Six and Asst. Coach Morgan Bryers
Senior Competitive League
GAMES: The Senior competitive league games usually last 5 innings depending on the weather. All players must try out for the Senior league and prove they can handle line drives in the field and competition at bat. Strikes and outs are called and players are taught to play infield and outfield positions. Volunteers and coaches are in the field to support independence. Age requirement is 15 years old but players who are so advanced that they could pose a risk to players in the Junior League will also be considered upon the agreement of coaches and managers. Players must behave with good sportsmanship and respect for other players, coaches, and volunteers.
TEAMS:
The DeFrancisco & Falgiatano Personal Injury Lawyers Mets – Coach PG Ferrara & Stacy and Roy Johnson and Asst Caitlin Cafiero and Mark Perkins
Judge Parker J.Stone Family Yankees – Head Coach Karen Delaney & Mike Newman Assistants Mark Botwinick and Coach for both teams Matt Goldberg