Seguin Little League Challenger Program: Up to bat for a second season

They say it takes a team to pull things together and a team is exactly what it took to help inspire and lift some very deserving Little Leaguers. This spring, the Seguin Little League Challenger Program celebrates its first anniversary. The adaptive program is designed specifically for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.

April Bustamante, a member of the Little League board of directors and coordinator of the Challenger division, says this past year has helped to pave the way for what she believes will be an even more successful baseball season.

“We are inspired by the quote, ‘Build It and They Will Come,’” Bustamante said. “As we continue to evolve and be impactful, we will cultivate an environment where everyone will be encouraged to reach for and live to their fullest potential. We are the Seguin Little League, where everyone belongs and is encouraged to succeed.”

While already successful in other communities since 1989, Bustamante shared that it took a great leap of faith here in Seguin for folks to step up to the plate.

“The Challenger Division was approved by the 2024 Board of Directors when Amanda Peterson brought the idea to life,” Bustamante said. “Why do you ask? Why Not! Each child deserves the same opportunity as others in the community. We saw the need and removed the barrier.”

The local program accommodates players from the ages of 4 to 18 or up to the age of 22 if they are still enrolled in school. Games are typically 1-2 innings long and scheduled for an hour. All players play defensively and bat every inning with flexibility and adaptability during the games.

The program plays an even more special role for Bustamante’s family. She says prior to last spring, her son, who has autism didn’t have many options in just being a kid and having fun.

“His closest opportunity, having to play baseball before the Challenger Division, was being on the sidelines cheering on his brothers,” Bustamante said. “As a special needs mother, you want your child to experience the same opportunity as other children. Yet, it is frightening when you think your child might be judged by others.  In our Challenger League, there is no judgement; we are fueled by understanding and supporting each other.”

 Bustamante said after its inaugural spring season, the group came together again in the fall to continue the kids’ passion and love for the game.

 “The Challenger Division has been thriving for the past two seasons,” she said. “We started with approximately 12 players in the first season and grew to 28 players in the fall. I witnessed so much growth in the kids this past season. The fundamental goal of the Challenger Division is to provide an environment where players can learn and enjoy the game of baseball in an environment structured to their abilities. As players improve their baseball skills, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment and belonging as they achieve their goals. The kids look forward to seeing each other on Saturday mornings. We have become more than just a team; we are a family.”

Like anything new, there are always challenges that come up, especially during the initial year. While the program might have started off a bit rocky, in the end, it all came together.

“There are always challenges in any new program and the one that stands out the most was the unexpected change in the members that coordinated the program,” Bustamante said. “The members didn’t have much experience with children with disabilities and feared they’d do something wrong that would negatively impact the program. The parents came together and pulled off the first season together with board members and made it a success. I soon joined the board of directors and began coordinating the program alongside the parents. I am a big believer there is never growth without a few challenges along the way.”

Learning from those mistakes is what she believes, will help fuel the program for another great season.  

“During this first year, we have grown and seen what has worked and what still needs work,” she said. “We give each other grace and pivot when we have to make changes. The program will continue to grow. For now it’s my belief that we have made an impact in the community by providing diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging for a population that may have never had the opportunity to participate in a sport and meet others that are experiencing the same challenges, yet find community and belonging which helps increase self-esteem and motor skills but, most importantly…unity and a space to grow. We are grateful to have a space where we create respect and dignity for all. We’re just planting the roots, the best is yet to come.”

However, amid the planning and challenges of operating the program, comes the desire to build confidence in each player, something that Bustamante hopes more parents will learn to understand, and ultimately embrace for their own children.

“Of course, when a parent enrolls their son or daughter in the Challenger Division for the first time, it is often the first athletic activity in which their child has participated in,” she said. “As with any parent allowing a child to participate in a new activity, there is often some level of anxiety and uncertainty about what to expect the first time their child steps onto the field. Parents will say ‘my child screams when noise is overwhelming’ or ‘my child may have a random meltdown.’ My response is always, ‘That’s okay. We will work through it. Just give them the chance they deserve. All we can do is try.’ Usually, this helps to ease their concerns regarding their child’s participation.”

Meanwhile, for the fans, it’s been the smiles and the player’s laughter on that diamond that have helped to solidify the vision for the program.  

All in all, the Challenger Program comes with plenty of fanfare and has been reviewed publicly by the following families:

“Putting Matthew in Baseball has been an amazing experience for me and him. Even though someone, April Bustamante, had to twist my arm, I was so nervous about joining and so glad I made the right decision. I am so proud of Matthew and all that he has overcome!” -K. Vanhowten

 “It’s the greatest opportunity for special needs kids to feel welcomed and get to learn about being a part of a team.” – E. Brackett

 “The Challenger team has been such a positive asset in my and Jesses’s life. It has allowed Jesse to be included in a sport where he has made friends and memories that will last forever.” – B. Zuniga

Now with the first year of the Little League program under its belt, the sky’s the limit, and hopes that the community will continue to show its support.

“The support of the community will keep us going,” Bustamante said. “Without the community, we don’t have a program. As a nonprofit 501c3, we depend a lot on the donations. These donations keep the registration at zero cost to the families. We understand the financial difficulties that some of the special needs parents may have, and we want to remove that barrier and give that child the opportunity to play a sport we all love,” Bustamante said. “We also use donations to purchase all necessary adaptive equipment that meets the individual needs of each player. An adaptive bat holder, beep ball system and an adaptive stroller are just a few pieces of equipment that have been purchased with the generous donations of the community. Our dream is to one day have our very own adaptive baseball field that incorporates all modifications necessary to allow equitable participation for players with all physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities.”

Whether it’s a financial donation, donating equipment, or volunteering alongside a buddy on the field, coordinators guarantee the community’s gesture will be rewarding.

And as for the kids, well, they just get to play ball, make friends, and be a part of a team. It’s true sandlot baseball where you go out, have fun, and play until they say it’s all done. Because after all, baseball, it’s not just a game –– it’s a way of life.  •