Challenger Cup for Disabled Children

2018 Challenger Cup- Charity Baseball Game for Disabled Children

On December 9th, TFRD formed baseball team of young rare diseases patients to join 2018 Challenger Cup- Charity Baseball Game for Disabled Children. The event was held at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium and there were almost 2000 people attended.

Baseball is the most popular sport in Taiwan. In recent years, with the support from the Chinese Professional Baseball League(中華職棒大聯盟) and the other baseball groups, the patients with rare diseases have the opportunities to watch the games in person and even participate in the ceremonial first pitch. They can also play baseball under the professional players’ instructions and team up to take part in the competition for the first time.

The Little League Baseball (LLB) headquarters is located at Williamsport, USA. and actively promotes the opportunity to play baseball to special ethnic groups. The Challenger Division was established in 1989 to enable disabled children to play baseball along with the other children. The coach lead the Challenger Division practice every week, they schedule the annual season events and exclusive competitions, and even have an exhibition match during the Little League World Series in Williamsport, which is broadcasted by national sports station ESPN.

Six months ago, in order to promote the public spirit of LLB and make more disabled children attend the baseball games, Taiwan Young Children Little League(台灣幼兒棒球聯盟協會) initiated the 2018 Challenger Cup. The chairman of the association, Xie Chang-Heng, who is also known as a famous professional player, called the voluntary coaches and referees to join this event. TFRD had set up a team: “Rare Diseases Warriors”, making up by 12 different diseases children aged from 4 to 18 years old.. The children were so excited about wearing the red jersey, just like formal players.

On December 9th, the competition was held at Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium. There were four teams participating in the competition and almost 2000 audiences in the field. The coaches of the teams were the players from God of War Disabled Baseball Team. Due to their self-disabled conditions, they can understand the needs of the special children in the field. Besides, each challenger was accompanied by a buddy/player helper who also benefit from the precious life experience.   

The chef referee coach Meng has voluntarily committed to the promotion of baseball in school and participated in the rare disease’s baseball camp every year. This event assembled the professional and volunteers from the society. We have a very simple goal for these special children: Don’t be afraid, kids, just run and play happily in the field!

Translator: Ellen Kuo (OI), Reviewer: Joy Yin