A Message From the Program Director

Welcome to Murphey Candler Baseball Challenger “Scrappers” Baseball!!!  Murphey Candler has offered the Challenger baseball program for over 35 years.   We are all about having fun!  To see the smiles on our Scrappers’ faces when they hit the ball, cross home plate, and make plays in the field or when they are just bonding with their helping “buddies” is what it is all about! 

I hope you will join our program and become a “Scrapper.”  If you have questions, please email me at whillis@bradley.com

Wayne Hillis

Basic Facts
About:
Challenger "Scrappers" baseball is a program for kids with more significant special needs.  We have no geographical boundaries, so if you can get your child to the park to play, they can play.  

When:
The Scrappers play each Spring, generally March through May.  We play one game each week on Saturday morning.  We do  not practice during the week.  We typically play 8-10 games in a season. 

Ages:
We have players ranging from age 5 to age 22, but there really is no upper age limit.

Who can play?
We have no geographic boundaries.  We have players from all over Metro Atlanta.  Anyone can play regardless of ability.  All players with special needs are welcome. 

Experience
No prior baseball experience is necessary. 

Teams
We have two Scrappers teams at Murphey Candler, generally divided by age.  Other local parks also have special needs teams, including Buckhead Baseball, NYO Baseball, and Sandy Springs Baseball.  Our two teams play games against each other and we play games against the other parks. 

Format
Games follow a very relaxed format.  We bat all players through the order.  No one makes an out.  Everyone makes it to first and scores.  We don’t keep score.  All players play the entire game.

Buddies
We pair each player with at least one “buddy” from Murphey Candler Baseball or from local high schools.  The job of the “buddy” is to help the player play the game, provide protection, and be a friend.  Each buddy receives an exclusive “Scrappers” buddy t-shirt.  If you are interested in serving as a buddy, contact Pam Langley at [email protected].

Equipment
No equipment is necessary, but some Scrappers have their own bat, glove and helmet.  We have all the equipment you will need. 

Uniforms
Each player will receive a Scrappers hat and jersey.  We encourage players to wear white or grey baseball pants and tennis shoes or rubber cleats.

Safety
Besides having fun, safety is our number one concern.  For example, we pair players with buddies in large part to help protect the player.  We also play with a softer ball, not a regular hard baseball.