Colalucas promote Challenger Baseball

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

BEAVER TOWNSHIP

Founded in 1939, Little League Baseball has grown from three teams eight decades ago to what is now 200,000 teams with play in all 50 U.S. states and more than 80 countries.

Recognized as the world’s largest organized youth sports program, its Challenger Division was added in 1989 to include play for individuals with physical and intellectual limitations.

The local Challenger Division began play around the same time, accommodating players ages 4 to 18, or up to age 22 if they are still enrolled in school.

Its Senior League accommodates players ages 15-and-above with no maximum age for participation required.

Jim Colaluca, a member of Boardman’s Little League executive board, has served as vice-president of the local Challenger group since 2003.

Along with his wife, Sam, they have ensured that the division continues to serve the needs of its local players with six teams playing a 12-14 game scheduled during June and July each summer.

Addressing the Curbstone Coaches during Monday’s weekly gathering at Avion Banquet Center, Jim Colaluca said the group is very special with sponsors and donors helping to ensure that the division keeps moving forward.

“This is how the game was meant to be played. The players show up and simply want to play the game,” Colaluca said. “We play two games a week in at the outset of summer with 65 players — teams consist of both boys and girls on their rosters — currently on the six teams that comprise the league. We’ve had as many as eight teams in the past.”

Team sponsors include service organizations Knights of Columbus, Boardman Rotary and Boardman Optimist. Coconut Creek, Northwood Realty and Union Home Mortgage round out the division.

“Our games start at 6 p.m., sometimes a little later and every player bats and plays the field each inning,” Colaluca said. “Usually a manager or coach pitches to the players, sometimes a father or friend will do the honors.

“But we wait until they hit the ball, or if necessary allow them to hit off a tee if they are struggling at the plate.

“We pitch to their wheelhouse. The fun part is that the three-foot dribbler is just as exciting as a ball hit in the gap or over a fielder’s head. The high fives are aplenty.”

Sponsors have been very generous, according to Colaluca.

“I’ve been married to my wife now for seven years, we’ve been together for nine years and this has been a part of our summer routine as long as we’ve been together,” he said. “Our sponsors are very generous, donors are also very helpful and each family is only asked to sell two sets of raffle tickets at $5 each to help defray costs.

“Cost per player is also $20, up $5 from 10 years ago so it is very reasonable. Each player receives a hat and t-shirt and if they need a buddy with them when they are in the field, then that person also receives a t-shirt.”

According to Colaluca, next to the regular season and a picnic they provide for the players, the banquet at the end of the season is the culmination of everyone’s efforts.

“We have a nice banquet at the Georgetown with each player receiving a trophy for their efforts,” he said. “They also receive a backpack filled with school supplies for the upcoming school year so again, we remain thankful for our sponsors and the many donors that help to make this all possible.”

Further information regarding sponsorship opportunities, donations and volunteering may be obtained by calling 330-770-6263, or by emailing samc0225@aol.com.