WHAT IS CHALLENGER BASEBALL?

San Francisco Little League's Challenger Division provides an opportunity for any child over five years old (as of January 1, 2023) with a physical or cognitive disability to join a baseball team, get some exercise, and learn some baseball skills with other kids in an informal, supportive environment.   SFLL will be fielding teams for both kids+younger teens, and older teens+young adults in Spring 2023.  We invite your child or children you know to join our program!

Challenger Little League baseball season runs from mid-March to mid-June, and includes about ten games on Sunday afternoons.  Home games are played at either Riordan High School or at SFLL's fields on Treasure Island.  Home games are interspersed with away games with Challenger teams in Marin, Oakland or on the Peninsula.

Kids learn the basics of baseball, and how to play as part of a team. However, games are non-competitive, with full participation by all. Every player takes a turn at bat every inning, and always gets on base and gets to advance around the bases. There are no outs, no one keeps score, and everyone has a great time for one to two hours, once a week on Sunday afternoons.

Parents and coaches and occasionally players from Little League’s other programs provide support and as much (or little) assistance as each player wants or needs to participate to the best of their ability and enjoy the game. San Francisco Little League provides each player a uniform similar to those of other Little League teams. Most importantly—everyone has a great time!

We also offer a number of supplemental events, such as group attendance at Giants games, and an end-of-season June "Jamboree" with the other Bay Area teams we play. Most years, the San Francisco Giants have graciously also invited our kids to attend a "clinic" hosted by members of the Giants' team, always a highlight.

Here's what else you need to know:

Little League’s Challenger Division was founded in 1989 and includes over 22,000 players nationally. 

The fee for Challenger Division registration is $100 (less than for other Little League divisions).  SFLL offers scholarship assistance to any eligible player through our Fee Waivers program.  Low income residents, children who are unhoused/Homeless, or families who participate in any of the San Francisco Human Services Agency (H.S.A.) administered programs such as MediCal, CalWORKS, Food Stamp, Public Housing Authority, or Foster Care, qualify for a 100% Fee Waiver.  Even families who are not eligible for one of these programs but still need financial support can request a Fee Waiver.  

Families can request Fee Waivers by self-attesting to your eligibility on our registration form (a request such as "Please waive my registration fees as they would be a hardship" will suffice).  No applicant will be turned away for lack of funds.

The final date for Challenger registration is March 1, 2023, however, to help us plan for the Spring, we ask parents and caregivers to please register as early as possible, preferably before January 1, 2023. Please note that early registration will also ensure that your child is able to participate in case available spaces on teams fill up this year!

If you know additional families who may be interested in Challenger baseball in the Spring, please send us their names or have them contact us.  You can also refer them to this page on the SFLL website at www.sfll.org/challenger.

 For more information about the San Francisco Challenger Baseball program, contact:

To learn more about Little League in general and Challenger baseball in particular, check out the Little League International website (Challenger Division, under Special Programs or Divisions).

Let's play ball!

Mark Kahn

SPRING 2023 CHALLENGER BASEBALL REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN.

Our League is always looking for good coaches. We hope to confirm coaches as soon as possible so please get those applications in now.  Register