Special needs baseball league in southern Indiana creates summer memories

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- It's a Thursday evening in June as the sun warms the baseball fields at Clarksville Little League.

The empty fields are quiet, but only for a few more moments, because the Clarksville Challenger League will soon take over the ballpark. The special needs baseball league has been a part of summers in southern Indiana for more than 30 years.

No one keeps score and no one ever makes an out during the two-inning games that are played in May and June.

This season, 118 players around southern Indiana from ages 4 to 64 are playing in the league. Mickey Higdon, the league's organizer for the past 29 years, said they don't turn away anyone.

"It's a chance to give these kids a chance to play ball," Higdon said. "All we ever do is have fun playing ball."

IMAGES | Clarksville Challenger League plays baseball in southern Indiana

Cody Burke has played in the league for three years and boasts about hitting six home runs.

"It's awesome, you get to play with your friends and family," Burke said. "I just enjoy it."

Wayne Brewer first got his son involved in the league, and then later became a coach.

"We started with my little man about 20 years ago, we wanted something to do to keep him active, we got here and it keep growing and growing," Brewer said. "These kids love it. You see a lot of parents, sisters and brothers out here helping one another."

Coaches will stand in front of the pitcher's mound and toss balls to the hitters, who are sometimes assisted by other coaches or parents. When a pitch is hit, the traditional run to first base follows amid cheers from the crowd.

Each team gets to bat twice as the other team plays defense in the field. When base runners cross home plate, they're met with claps and support.

"The looks on their faces when they hit a ball, catch a ball, come across home plate, you just can't beat it," said coach Barry Fike. "It's such a joy."

The league has its highest enrollment this year thanks to its policy of welcoming everyone to play baseball.

"I can show you a player that is in a wheelchair, has no mobility, he has been in the league for as long as I have, he is nearly 40, how can you tell that player he is too old," Higdon said. "We don't, we make it happen."

The league has some support beyond parents, coaches and Clarksville Parks and Recreation.

"Without our sponsors, we would be okay, but we wouldn't be able to do the things that we do," Higdon said.

Clarksville Optimist Club has sponsored the league for 29 years. Caesars Foundation of Floyd County also funds the league. Last year, Baseball Heaven Alumni Association donated $1,000 worth of equipment.

Each week, the players leave the ballpark with a cold drink and plenty of baseball memories.

"You'll see the smiles and laughter, that's what makes it worth it," Higdon said.

There is still one more set of games this summer, scheduled for Thursday, June 20. The league will have an end of the year banquet will pizza, cake and trophies the following week.

Registration information is sent out annually in January.

To learn more about Clarksville Challenger League, click here.