Saturday morning at Bridgeport’s Recreation Complex, there will be a celebration that the entire community is invited to attend, but the organizer of the event is encouraging everyone to attend. It will be a celebration of youth, a celebration of sports and a celebration of life.

 

It’s all part of the season-opening ceremonies of the 13^th season of the Challenger League Division of Little League baseball. Organizer Mike Martin said roughly 90 athletes from several North Central West Virginia counties will participate in the opening-day events and the ball games that follow.

 

The activities begin at 10 a.m.

 

“It might be a little bit chilly, but if the rains hold off we’ll be fine,” said Martin, who said in the event of a rainout the following Saturday will serve as opening day.

 

For those that don’t already know, Challenger is the division of Little League that allows for children with physical or mental impairments to participate in the Little League experience. Martin said there will be eight teams in this year’s league with 10 to 12 players on each squad and all the teams will compete Saturday.

 

Martin said all involved will again try to make the first day a special one. In particular, he said it will be aimed at making the day a celebration of the life of one the league’s former players – Lacey Warner. During Saturday’s ceremonies, the Braves will officially be renamed “Lacey’s Braves” in her honor.

 

“This will be our sixth team that we’ve named in honor of one of players that have passed away. It’s beyond difficult, but through the league and through the kindness of Lacey’s parents (Steve and Debbie Warner) to give us permission to name the team after their daughter we’ll turn this into a moment of joy,” said Martin of the youngster that passed away last spring. “We want everyone to remember Lacey and the smiles she always put on our faces. This is a way for us to celebrate her life.”

 

One of the highlights will be having West Virginia University rifle Coach Jon Hammond throwing out the first pitch. Martin said he met the coach a few years ago and after missing a chance to come last year Hammond eagerly accepted the invitation this year.

 

“He’s a really nice and personable guy and when didn’t connect last year he was really upset that he wasn’t here for the opening day,” said Martin of the WVU coach that has led his team to three consecutive national championships. “After I was doing his biography for his introduction I think I found out why he really wanted to be here and we’re certainly glad to have him.”

 

Martin said Hammond’s wife is working toward her PhD and is doing a dissertation on kids with disabilities. He also said that Hammond, who is from Scotland and a two-time shooter in the Olympics, has created a shooting club for the blind.

 

“He understands the outlet through sports for those with disabilities,” said Martin.

 

All of the competitors will be announced Saturday. Martin said they’ll get to hear their names over the public address system and also get to interact with a baseball-dressed mascot. They’ll also be teamed up with their buddies, which are often kids from other youth leagues in the area or even high school students.

 

“I still believe one of the best things to come from this league is to see just how many kids want to help out with our Challenger. The kids get to help in a manner they wouldn’t otherwise and see the perspective of life from a child with special needs and we’ve seen it have an impact long after they leave the field,” said Martin “Those are a couple of things that keep (my wife) Kim and I involved every year. It’s worth every second to watch the fun they have. On opening day, they really enjoy themselves with all the pre-game activity.”

After that pre-game activity is complete, Martin said the kids will get what they came to do – play baseball.

 

“It’s a great experience and for those that have never been I really encourage them to come up because they  will get to see kids that normally don’t have the opportunity to live their lives as part of an athletic team provided the opportunity to do that,” said Martin. “These kids play with such joy. What you see from them is what you should see when any child plays a sport, which is to play for the fun and love of the game.”

 

Editor's Note: Top two photos show action from last year's Challenger action (photos by www.benqueenphotography.com). Bottom photo shows WVU Rifle Coach Jon Hammond being interviewed after the Mountaineers won their third straight NCAA National Rifle Championship. Photo courtesy of WVU Sports Communications.