Coach Brian Popovich and the Brentwood High team spent the day playing baseball with players in the Challenger League at their field by the YMCA.

Special to Brentwood Home Page
It was a cold, rainy, Saturday morning on April 16, but hearts were full and there were smiles everywhere on the Challenger League baseball field.

This was the second year the Brentwood High School varsity and JV baseball teams spent the morning with the Challenger League playing ball and having just plain fun!

With the help of Coach Brian Popovich, the Bruin players helped these special athletes to pitch, catch, hit and run their way around the bases, helping lead the way to a great day of baseball.

"Help from groups such as the BHS boys baseball enables the motto of the Challenger Sports to be apparent on the faces of all who are involved – ‘Everyone Plays, Everyone Wins,’ ” said Teri Matlock, director of the Challenger League.

The program's success is largely due to tremendous support they receive from the community as well.  With the help of "Buddies" they are able to pair the special athletes with a buddy. Not only do the kids love playing with their new friends, it also allows their family and friends to sit back and enjoy while watching their child play and have fun.

The Challenger League enables children with a variety of special needs, ages 4-18, to get out and perhaps learn some new skills, socialize and to become a member of a team.

The BHS baseball players easily say this is one of the highlights of their season.  When their baseball calendar comes out in late winter, the players all look to see when the day will be to spend with the Challenger League.

This year the Challenger League is able to play on its own field next to the YMCA on Concord Road.

The league is partnered with the Full Circle Program through the Brentwood YMCA.  The past two years the league has been under Brentwood Civitan. This too is a growth year for the league . . . it has more than 50 players on four different baseball teams!

The Challenger League thanks BHS baseball for a great morning!