JAYS CARE FOUNDATION believes in a level playing field where all Canadian children and youth have the opportunity to thrive and succeed. One way we are working to achieve this goal is through CHALLENGER BASEBALL.

WHAT IS CHALLENGER BASEBALL ?

Challenger Baseball is an adaptive baseball program designed specifically to empower children and youth living with cognitive and/or physical disabilities. The program is designed to teach these children and youth the core life-skills inherent to baseball, including: teamwork, communication, determination, resiliency, inclusion, support and courage. This unique partnership between Baseball Canada, Little League Canada and Jays Care Foundation is creating opportunities for more children to be a part of a team.

WHY CHALLENGER BASEBALL ?

We believe that every child should have the opportunity to:

• Work and play with others;

• Develop strong and lasting relationships with peers and coaches;

• Learn new skills and improve existing ones;

• Learn more about themselves, their abilities and their potential;

• Learn to be a contributing member of a group;

• Develop self-confidence and self-efficacy; and,

• Take risks and have fun!

Challenger Baseball is an inclusive league that ensures every participant has the opportunity to play in a fun and safe environment where they can build confidence, self-esteem and communication skills to set and achieve their ownpersonal goals.

1 The 2015 ParticipACTION report card, 2015

2 hpechildrenandyouth.ca

CHALLENGER BASEBALL

Four accessible diamonds funded across Canada

Annual National Jamboree for Challenger Baseball participants held at the

Rogers Centre

In Canada, there are 62 Challenger Baseball

leagues with approximately 870 participants

In Ontario alone, there are an estimated 235,000

children and youth living with disabilities

CANADA

CHALLENGER BASEBALL

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM INVOLVE?

Jays Care Foundation devotes significant time, expertise, training and coaching to all volunteers who are motivated to implement the program.

WHAT DOES THE PROGRAM LOOK LIKE FOR

PLAYERS?

Any player who signs up to be a part of

Challenger Baseball can expect the following:

• To be outfitted in a Challenger Baseball uniform;

• To have access to adaptive baseball equipment;

• To participate in a series of baseball drills and skills led by their coaches, with support from their buddies;

• To meet other players and get to know them through fun and interactive games and activities;

• To engage in discussions related to the weekly themes;

• To be with supportive coaches and buddies who work to adapt each part of the program to best fit each player’s needs;

• To play an adapted game of baseball;

• To be involved in an end-of- season party; and,

• To have fun!

WE TAILOR A PROGRAM

REFLECTIVE TO THEIR NEEDS

WE PROVIDE THE TRAINING

WE HELP WITH THE FUNDING

PARTNER SUPPORT

REQUIRED

WE PROVIDE ONGOING SUPPORT

AND FEEDBACK

WE MEASURE OUTCOMES AND

CONSTANTLY WORK TO IMPROVE

Jays Care staff work with community members and volunteers to connect them with local existing Challenger Baseball programs or to design a tailor-made Challenger Baseball program that reflects their unique needs.

Every Challenger Baseball coach will be invited to attend a two day training workshop on how to plan, lead and assess an inclusive baseball for development program. This training includes access to resources that volunteer coaches can refer to when planning their weekly programming.

If funds are required to launch a program, Jays Care offers funding over four years to help initiate and sustain a viable Challenger Baseball program and culture within a community. Jays Care also provides access to essential adaptive baseball equipment.

Each Challenger Baseball coach makes a commitment to implement a minimum of two hours of inclusive programming per week, for eight or more weeks of the year.

Jays Care staff offer on-the-ground coaching and support visits to volunteer coaches who request additional guidance as they launch their program.

Using child-friendly measurement tools, volunteer coaches work with participants and families to assess the successes and challenges of each program in an effort to ensure that we are always growing and improving the program’s quality.

Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation, and all related marks and designs are trademarks and/or copyright of Rogers Blue Jays Baseball Partnership. ©2016. Additional marks and designs are the property of their respective owner and are used under license. Challenger Baseball is a copyrighted Program of Little League Baseball Inc.

CANADA