Donation information
Mailing Address: Challenger Baseball PO Box 667 Grand Junction, Co 81502
Donation information
Mailing Address: Challenger Baseball PO Box 667 Grand Junction, Co 81502
Our sponsors make all the difference!
Take a moment to meet those in our community that help keep Challenger going each year!
"I loved my experience with Challenger Baseball! Getting the
opportunity to help those amazing ids get the chance to
enjoy the game I love was a blast. Not to mention the msiles
it put on all of our faces. It was a great chance to give
back to the community after seeing all the support they give
us as a team. I can't wait till we can do it again."
-Chase Cracraft
"I wish everyone had the opportunity to be a par of Challenger
Baseball. It's about so much more than baseball and playing
the game. It's about accepting someone else for the unique
person they are, and helping them shine! I helped with
challenger for 6 years, and it was one of the most influential
and formulating eperiences in my life"
- John Beaudrie (CMU Baseball)
"Being involved with Challenger Baseball was one of the most
memorable parts of being a student athlete. The friendships
and experiences we shared with the Challenger athletes are
something i'll never forget. I would encourage any student
athlete at Colorado Mesa to get involved and do it with all
their heart"
- Josh Shapiro (CMU Baseball)
Challenger Baseball is one of my favorite and our teams
favorite events during the year! It's such a positive and
fun environment to be involved in. We have been able to make
amazing connections with so many of the players and coaches
involved in the progam throughout the last couple years.
We're always welcomed to be apart of their teams for the day
with such high energy. Challenger baseball days are always
the best days.
-Kenzie Blackwell (Women's Lacrosse)
"Challenger Baseball was an opportunity I never knew I would
have the opportunity to work with. The kids we had the
privilege to "Coach" taught us so much more than we coulld
team them. Whether it came to life lessons or baseball terms,
I never came to a challenger baseball game leaving without
learning something new"
Kaila Jacobi (CMU Softball)
"Challenger Baseball is such an amazing experience! I look
forard to this day every year and spending time with the kids.
The opportunity to work with Challenger BAseball progam is one
of the ebst parts about being an athlete. Seeing he smiles on
all of the kids faces makes it all woth it! I truly bbelieve
that the experience impacts the volunteers lives just as much,
if not more than the kids. This organization and the people
involved are doing so much good for so many people year after
year."
Spencer Bramwell (CMU Baseball)
"As someone who has a passion for sports and exercise, I know
the value an active lifestyle can play on wellbeing.
Challenger provided the perfect way for me to use my passion
to give back and provide the opportunity for kids with
disabilities to become more connected to sports and experience
the freedom of movement and exercise. It was amazing to see
this kids connect with sports in a way that made them feel
confident, included, and energized! It was an awesome feeling
knowing that I helped make the kids' day a little better just
by playing a round of baseball with them. It was fun for both
me and the kids, and its even more rewarding seeing them leave
with a smile on their faces"
-Abby Oglesby (CMU Cross Country)
"I loved my experience with Challenger Baseball! Getting the
opportunity to help those amazing ids get the chance to
enjoy the game I love was a blast. Not to mention the msiles
it put on all of our faces. It was a great chance to give
back to the community after seeing all the support they give
us as a team. I can't wait till we can do it again."
-Chase Cracraft
"I wish everyone had the opportunity to be a par of Challenger Baseball. It's about so much more than baseball and playing the game. It's about accepting someone else for the unique person they are, and helping them shine! I helped with challenger for 6 years, and it was one of the most influential and formulating eperiences in my life" - John Beaudrie (CMU Baseball)
"Being involved with Challenger Baseball was one of the most
memorable parts of being a student athlete. The friendships
and experiences we shared with the Challenger athletes are
something i'll never forget. I would encourage any student
athlete at Colorado Mesa to get involved and do it with all
their heart"
- Josh Shapiro (CMU Baseball)
“ I love this. Thanks. The seeker has solitude, but not everyone disturbs it The body of suffering is full of fear. I am fully satisfied and would recommend buying from them as they have made my life so much easier :)”
“ It was an absolute pleasure working with them. They are the best, Highly Recommended! ”
“ I love this. Thanks. The seeker has solitude. I am fully satisfied and would recommend buying from them as they have made my life so much easier :)”
Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball program which was introduced by Little league and then initiated by Monument Little League in 1997 for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. The original founders of this program were Rick Topper, Bill Rohr, and Walt Bargman among others. In the years that followed, Challenger would grow under the leadership of Carma Brown and Kelli Hamilton.
After spending the first year operating and establishing Challenger Baseball GJ, Monument Little League understood that there would have to be some changes needed if Challenger Baseball was going to have the opportunity to flourish. It was only a natural transition for Carma to be offered the position of Director for the local Challenger program since she had already been involved and had established rapport with Monument Little League already. Carma had to decide what the fate of Challenger would be in the next year, when she faced a new, overwhelming challenge.
After long days and a lot of phone calls, Carma was able to acquire
support for Challenger with "buddies", providing the children with a
way to play in their second year of their program. Despite all odds,
Carma managed to pull through and achieved a successful year two,
thanks to the promise that was kept to the children and their
parents. "Be here, and I'll make sure you'll have buddies this
year."
It became evident at this point that if she was going to be able to
survive for a long period of time, she was going to need some
assistance. It was at this point that Kelli was offered a position
of director as well. Kelli had spent some time volunteering as a
Challenger coach and it was clear she was the right person to help
carry the load. 20 years later and the rest is history.
