Challenger Baseball is open to boys and girls with physical and mental disabilities, ages 5-18 or the completion of high school. For registration or for information about becoming a Challenger Buddy, contact Challenger Director Wayne Hillis at [email protected]

The Major League is our highest and most competitive level of play. All 11 and 12 year olds are eligible to try out for the Major League. Space for 11 year olds is limited. 11 year olds not drafted into Major will be drafted into AAA. Player Agents and League Directors may work with parents to place some 12 year olds, who they believe would have a better overall experience, in AAA. Similar to AAA, the Major League is divided into National and American Divisions. The season includes inter-divisional play and a Championship Game between the winners of each Division’s playoffs. Three events per week are scheduled, however, Managers in the Major League have the option of calling an extra practice for a total of no more than 4 events per week. Major League is played with a pitching distance of 50 feet and base paths of 70 feet (50/70).

In addition to the larger field dimensions in Major League, other rule differences include:

Runners may lead off (requiring pitchers to hold runners on base).

Runners may attempt stealing at any time.

Pitchers can execute pick-offs and balks will be called.

Head first slides are permitted (as long as base runner is not wearing a cage on his/her helmet).

A batter may advance to first on a dropped third strike under certain circumstances.

Triple A (“AAA”) is for 10 and 11 year olds. AAA has its own field though some games are also played on Field 14. AAA is divided into National and American Divisions. The season includes inter-divisional play and Championship Game between the winners of each Division’s playoffs. Games and practices are limited to three events per week. Events typically include two weekday events and one Saturday event, but that may vary if events are rescheduled due to inclement weather.  AAA is played with a pitching distance of 46 feet and base paths of 60 feet (46/60).

Double A (“AA”) is our first kid-pitch league and is for 9 year olds. The rules are modified to reflect the inexperience of the pitchers. Games and practices are limited to three events per week. Events typically include two weekday events and one Saturday event, but that may vary if events are rescheduled due to inclement weather . AA is played with a pitching distance of 46 feet and base paths of 60 feet (46/60).

The Coastal League is for 8 year olds. It is also a machine pitch league, but a regular baseball is used and the field is larger (60 foot base paths). Base stealing is also allowed on a limited basis. Games and practices are limited to three events per week. Events typically include two weekday events and one Saturday event, but that may vary if events are rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The International League is for 7 year olds. The ball is pitched by a machine and is softer than a regular baseball. Games and practices are limited to three events per week. Events typically include two weekday events and one Saturday event, but that may vary if events are rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The Atlantic League is for 6 year olds. The ball is pitched by a machine and is softer than a regular baseball. Games and practices are limited to three events per week. Events typically include two weekday events and one Saturday event, but that may vary if events are rescheduled due to inclement weather.

The Southern League is a hybrid T-Ball/Coach Pitch League for 5 year olds and 6 year olds who are new to baseball. Games and practices are limited to two events per week. Events typically include one weekday event and one Saturday event, but that may vary if events are rescheduled due to inclement weather. The fall season includes 2 event per week on Saturdays and Sundays. Equipment needed for this league is helmet (cage or c-flap optional), glove, t-ball bat and baseball pants.

The Murphey Candler experience starts in our Rookie Ball program.

The Frontier I League is a low stress, fun baseball program for kids with ADHD, ADD, Apraxia, Speech Delays, Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder and other executive or sensory challenges. Frontier I is for 6-9 years old.

The Frontier II League is a low stress, fun baseball program for kids with ADHD, ADD, Apraxia, Speech Delays, Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder and other executive or sensory challenges. Frontier II is for 10-12 years old.

The Frontier III League is a low stress, fun baseball program for kids with ADHD, ADD, Apraxia, Speech Delays, Dyslexia, Auditory Processing Disorder and other executive or sensory challenges. Frontier III is for 13-16 years old.