Jefferson Township opens challenger baseball registration

OAK RIDGE — The Jefferson Township Recreation Department is offering its baseball Little League Challenger Division for special needs youth 5 to 18 and young adults 19 to 35 this spring.
Registration for the program is now open, and the registration fee which includes a jersey, cap, and award for the Spring 2019 team has been waived due to fundraising efforts. Registration to play, manage, umpire, assistant coach, serve as a team parent, or become a “buddy” to a player is online through Community Pass.
Registration information flyers can be downloaded from www.jeffersontownship.net, click on “Residents” tab to “Forms Center” and then to “Recreation Department.” When you log on to Community Pass at https://register.communitypass.net/reg/index.cfm, if you already have an existing account, sign in or follow the prompts to set up your own personal account through the Jefferson Township community.
In either case, chose “2018-2019 Challenger Sports Programs” to register. As there is no fee to participate, there will be no amount due.
If you experience difficulty in registering online, you can log on to www.jeffersontownhip.net, click on the “Form Center” link on the left side of the home page, and scroll down to the Recreation Department to find “Community Pass Online Registration Instructions” with step-by-step directions. If you still need assistance, contact the Recreation office at 973-663-8404, Ext. 4 or cpunturieri@jeffersontownship.net for assistance.
The challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League Baseball to enable boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities to enjoy the game of baseball along with the millions of other children who participate in this sport worldwide. Boys and girls age 5–18 (or the completion of high school) and young adults 19 to 35 with physical or mental challenges are invited to join the program.
Thanks to fundraising efforts by the Challenger League’s parent group led by Director Scott Luker, there are no fees to participate.
Over the years, The Challenger Division has removed the barriers that keep children off the baseball field and being treated just like all the other kids. Players have the opportunity to participate in Tee Ball, Coach-Pitch, or Player-Pitch levels with the option to use the “buddy” system for assistance on the field. Players wear the same uniforms and use the same equipment as other Little Leaguers, every player on the roster plays the entire game, and no score is kept. In addition, the program has been proven therapeutic, strengthens self-esteem, encourages teamwork and sportsmanship, and provides a new avenue of socialization.
For specific questions, contact Coach/Contact Stephenie Kaulfers, a resident of Jefferson Township, at 973-713-7548 or stephk09@optimum.net or League Director Scott Luker at 973-229-0864 or scottluker61@gmail.com. You can also call the Jefferson Township Recreation office at 973-663-8404, Ext. 4.