Challenger Division Hits Fifth Season

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Saratoga Little League Challenger Division started with a home run for their fifth season this summer. 

Leading up to a game under the lights this week, the Challenger Division welcomes special need kids in the community. Robert Kelly and Derrick LeGall, president of the league, designed the program to give children with special needs the chance to be kids and the opportunity to play America’s favorite pastime. 

“Every kid wants to be outside, making friends, enjoy the fresh air and to just have a good time. We give that opportunity to the kids and to the parents as well,” LeGall said. 

Xavier Camlet, a member of the Challenger team, said he loves the opportunity to play on a team, help his teammates out and most importantly have the chance to hit the ball. 

“I like helping my friends, letting my family come here and hitting the ball too,” Camlet said. “I like working for my team, helping them and hitting the ball out there…letting my teammates know where the ball is going to be.”

His mom, Jessica Camlet, ejoys the opportunities the team gives to Xavier. 

“He’s excited every day to play with his friends and it builds up his self esteem and confidence, I think that’s the biggest thing for him. When we got Xavier—we adopted him—he wasn’t very experienced and socialized and this gives him the chance to really be a kid and that’s my favorite part…just seeing his face light up. He’s just so happy to contribute and to be with his friends,” Camlet said. 

Xavier Camlet and his teammates are practicing for their under the lights game at the West Side Recreational Little League Field on Friday, Aug. 21, 2020 at 7 p.m.

One of his teammates, Regan Perella is playing on the team for his first year and will sing the Star Spangled Banner at the start of their under-the-lights game. 

“I do like singing and I don’t get nervous,” Perella said. “I’m loving it.”

Perella has enjoyed the fans’ reaction he gets when he plays baseball and likes all the fans his has, including his father Jim Perella. 

“We love all of the kids getting together and just having a great time,” Jim Perella said. “We love to see the kids play and everyone leaves here with a smile. These kids are playing ball just like America’s favorite pastime and we love that.”

The team is open to families outside of the Saratoga community as well and will accommodate kids up to the age of 21-years-old.

The Little League Challenger Division was established nationally in 1989, and is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Any individual with a physical or intellectual challenge may participate. The Little League Challenger Division accommodates players’ ages 4 to 18 or up to age 22 if still enrolled in school.

Saratoga Springs Little League’s adaptive baseball program is in its fifth year and is only one of a few in the region. It gives players with specialized needs a place to join in and enjoy playing the game of baseball in our community. 

Little League Baseball, Inc. is a non-profit organization with the mission “through proper guidance and exemplary leadership, the Little League program assists youth in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. By espousing the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, the Little League Baseball program is designed to develop superior citizens rather than stellar athletes.”

“I’m really proud of this program because I see moms, dads and kids working together out on the field,” Kelly said. “I enjoy seeing the kids having fun and experiencing what everyone else can experience.”

“My favorite part about all this is just watching the kids enjoy themselves,” LeGall said. “Whether it’s a hit they get and they look to make sure mom or dad saw it….it’s something that brings joy to their faces and it brings joy to me because that is what it’s all about.”

Kelly can be reached by email at r_kelly@saratogaschools.org and Legall can be reached at derricklegall@gmail.com. The team practices every Thursday evening and plays Saturday morning games.