Avon Little League The Challenger Division is designed to provide children with physical and intellectual

disabilities with the opportunity to participate in organized baseball and softball, fostering inclusion,

teamwork, and personal growth.

Little League has long been committed to inclusivity, providing opportunities for all children to

participate in youth sports, regardless of ability. The Challenger Division is a vital part of this

commitment, offering children with physical and intellectual disabilities the chance to experience the

joys of sports in a supportive, adaptive environment. Currently, the absence of such a program in Avon

presents a gap in local opportunities for children with disabilities to participate in team sports and gain

social, emotional, and physical benefits.

As part of Avon’s commitment to community and inclusion, implementing the Challenger Division would

offer a positive and impactful program that supports all children in enjoying the benefits of Little League

participation.

1. Promote Inclusion: To create a safe, welcoming space where children with disabilities can

participate in Little League sports, fostering social connections, teamwork, and a sense of

belonging within the Avon community.

2. Develop Social and Physical Skills: To provide an opportunity for children to develop physical

coordination, social skills, self-confidence, and emotional resilience through adaptive baseball

and softball activities.

3. Support Families: To offer a program that provides a supportive network for families with

children who have disabilities, strengthening the sense of community in Avon.

4. Raise Awareness: To promote awareness of the needs and abilities of children with disabilities,

encouraging understanding and acceptance within the broader community.

The Challenger Division will follow a structure that emphasizes fun, participation, and skill-building,

tailored to the abilities of each player. The program will be open to children of all disabilities (physical

and intellectual), ages 5–18, and will have the following key components:

1. Adaptive Rules: The Challenger Division will utilize modified Little League baseball rules,

including:

o Games will be non-competitive and focused on participation and fun.

o Players may be assisted by “buddies” (volunteer helpers), who will provide physical

assistance when necessary (e.g., helping a child swing a bat, field a ball, or run the

bases).

o Each player will play in every inning.

2. Volunteer Buddies: Volunteer “buddies” (older league players, majors from baseball and

softball) will be paired with each participant. Buddies will help players on the field, providing

encouragement and assistance to ensure every child can fully engage in the activity. Each

majors team will be assigned one Sunday as part of the spring schedule.

3. Inclusion and Teamwork: The program will promote an atmosphere of inclusion, with

traditional Little League players and their families invited to cheer on and support Challenger

players, fostering a culture of unity and mutual respect.

4. Game Schedules: Games will be scheduled at Sperry Park Sunday at 1-2:30 PM for 5 weeks in

the Spring and included in the schedules.

For 2026, girls born between 12/31/11 - 1/1/22 are eligible to play softball. Please note that softball has a different age determination chart than baseball, with softball player eligibility running from January 1st-December 31st. 

 Farm/A: prek-1st

In the A/Farm division, we focus on small teams and teaching children the basics of softball. Children hit off a tee, there are no outs recorded, and all children bat each inning. Weeks into the season, some teams may go to coach pitch. Games generally are about 3 innings long (approximately 1 hour). Our goal is to have enough teams, so all games can be played at Fisher Meadows. There will be one practice and one game per week. The season will end mid June. This level uses a 10" softer softball. Scores and standings are not kept.

 AA: 2-3rd grade

In the AA division, coaches will pitch to players to start the season. There is a limited number of swings to reach base, and players can strike out. Around midseason, players will begin pitching to batters. Outs are recorded and batters are limited to one at-bat per inning. There is no leading off or stealing. Games can be played up to six innings and last up to 2 hours. Home games are played at Fisher Meadows, and the teams will travel to play neighboring towns. Players will pitch from 35 feet with an 11" ball. Balls and strikes will be called, and in the first month of the season a coach will come in to pitch after 4 balls. There is a limit of 5 runs scored per inning. There will be one practice and one game per week. The season will mid June.

AAA: 4-5th grade

In the AAA division, there is no coach pitch. Players will pitch from 35 feet with an 11” ball. Balls and strikes are called. Games are up to six innings or up to two hours. Players begin leading off when the ball crosses home plate and can steal at that time. There is a limit of 5 runs scored per inning. Home games are played at Fisher Meadows, and the team will travel to play neighboring towns. We will have one practice and one/two games per week. The season will end mid June. 

Majors: 6-7th grade

In Majors, full Little League rules apply. This division is the most competitive. Players will pitch from 40 feet with a 12” ball. Home games are played at Fisher Meadows, and the teams will travel to play neighboring towns. Games are up to 6 innings or up to two hours in length. We will have one practice and one/two games per week. The season will end mid June.

 Juniors: 8-9th grade

In the Junior division, players will pitch from 43 feet with a 12” ball. Games are 7 innings and up to 2.5 hours in length. Home games are played at Fisher Meadows, and the team will travel to play neighboring towns. We will have one practice and one/two games per week. The season will end mid June.

Little League International is the governing body and has rules regarding age and residence eligibility, playing time, playing rules and safety. Avon Little League is one of many local area Little Leagues and plays in District 6. Avon Little League administers youth softball for our town and adopts local rules (where permissible) to make our league best fit for our town’s needs.