An Ohio baseball league that gives kids and adults with disabilities a chance to play is celebrating its tenth season with a home run, as they're preparing for a major game and also getting closer to a dream fundraising goal.
A swing and a hit get the crowd going wild: It's all for the kids and adults who make up the Mason Challenger League. The goal is to make sure everyone gets a chance to play ball.
I do really love it,” said Ethan Weeks.
Others shared similar sentiments.
It has been fun.,” said Alex Heter.
Brad Heter, who is Alex’s father, is so proud of the progress.
He started out being the tiniest kid on this team," he said. "Now, he has grown up to be a little man. He had this little, tiny bat and he barely made contact. Now, he can crush a ball into the outfield. This season is special.
Alex is one of 15 players traveling to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in August.
The team was picked to play in the Little League World Series' Challenger Division.
Hopefully, I don’t get stage fright during it, though,” Alex said.
Alex and his team will play against a team from San Jose, California.
I’m really looking forward to supporting my team and representing Mason in the World Series this year,” said Sydney Roderer, another player.
There's no lack of love for the league.
League Commissioner Susan Murdock said their families and friends plan to bring all the energy to Williamsport.
For the kids, I think it's going to bring wonderful memories and they are going to meet some other kids from California. And then for their parents, it’s like a bucket list that they get to check off something,” she said.
It's all part of a bigger goal: A field of dreams. Mason Challenger League is raising $2 million to build two adaptive fields.
We are getting closer to the goal, and then they will have their own fields to play on that are designed specifically for them,” Murdock said.
To the team, playing means everything.
Baseball has been a really important part of my life," Roderer said. "I’m glad to actually have some sport to compete in."
Mason Challenger League will their game in the Little League World Series on Aug. 27.
Learn more about their fundraising efforts at masonchallengeradaptivefields.com.