The San Jacinto College Ravens baseball team partnered with the North Shore Little League Challenger Division to commemorate its fourth annual Challenger Day on March 9. The day was celebrated by fans of the Challenger Division and Ravens alike, with special guest Lee Brown from the North Shore Rotary Club.
The local Challenger Division started seven years ago as part of the national Little League Challenger Program. The division enables boys and girls with physical and mental challenges, ages 4-18 or up to 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy baseball along with millions of other children who participate in the sport. More than 30,000 athletes participate in 950 Challenger programs worldwide.
The Ravens and the Blinn College Buccaneers acted as buddies during the game. The buddies assist the Challenger players on the field as needed. Whenever possible, players bat and make plays themselves.
“The Challenger event always significantly impacts our athletes — maybe even more
than the children we support,” said Kory Koehler, assistant baseball coach. “They
are greatly moved, and it's an honor to represent our College in a way that gives
back to our community.”