By Laura Lane Mervosh
One day last season, he tried a new approach.
Getting a hit, he gave it his all to get to first base, and when he realized that he would likely be out before reaching his goal, he threw his walker down and dove for first.
Stanley made it to first base.
Stanley and 49 other children who are physically or mentally challenged are fortunate. Their parents signed them up for the East Meadow Little League Challenger Division. The popular program, which provides the total Little League experience, is open to all children with disabilities, regardless of whether they live in East Meadow. They simply must be between ages 6 and 18 (or 21 if still in school).
Lee Cook started the East Meadow Challenger program 12 years ago after attending a board meeting for the Semantics, a club for businessmen that helps people who are less fortunate. The Semantics decided to fund the entire program, and Cook volunteered to run it. Since, the Challenger program has benefited many children and parents over the years, which gives Cook a sense of personal satisfaction.
"All of the gratitude from the parents and the kids and the good feelings that I got myself really surprised me," said Cooks of East Meadow. "I really didn't become involved to get this. I feel extremely rewarded."
Each child is placed on one of two teams based on skill and safety considerations rather than age. Cook said that no one in the league has ever gotten hurt.
The program provides an array of equipment. Children can choose from lightweight standard metal, plastic or hard, foam-rubber bats. The ball is a Flex Ball, which is a soft-core baseball, the same size as the standard hard ball. And of course, all children receive uniforms and hats.
The league also assigns participants with "buddies," other young people ages 12 and up who are without a disability. These boys and girls work alongside Challenger members and provide guidance and moral support.
"The buddies make the whole program," Cook said. "Having healthy children working alongside these children is what the program is all about. When the Challenger kids see that these healthy kids want to play with them, help them and work with them, it means so much to them."
The "buddies" are often children from the East Meadow Little League, but they can also be young people seeking to do community service. Some have never even played baseball, but simply want to help.
"The Challenger kids see the 'buddy' as a safety blanket and start to build a relationship with them," said Dominic Tinnerlio, director of fundraising and public relations for East Meadow Little League. "I see these kids become mature when they volunteer. For many, it is their first time managing children."
Tinnerlio has seen amazing relationships develop between Challenger participants and their buddies.
"I've seen Challenger kids who were afraid to come up onto the field and get involved who now look forward to it, and this is due in part to their buddy," he said.
Cook said that buddies receive uniforms, and when they are ready to leave the program, they receive a college recommendation letter.
The Challenger league has attracted children with many issues, but parents say that the youngsters all come together as a dedicated team.
"Everyone is so different in the group," said Emily Hronec, mother of 9-year-old Dylan. "Some have physical disabilities and some have cognitive issues, but it doesn't matter. They all form a bond as a team."
Dylan Hronec has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound. Emily said this doesn't stop her son, who, aided by her husband, Bob, takes every chance he can to slide into the bases.
"I was so excited when I found out about the Challenger program because Dylan always loved sports," Hronec said. "Being a part of the team has given him a lot of confidence, and he has had tons of fun."
Cook has many dedicated adult members who serve as managers and coaches. Emily Hronec said she was impressed by the desire of Challenger program volunteers to help. And she cannot get over how they never tire in their commitment to the children.
"Every kid stays at bat until they get a hit," she said. "You think the guy [an adult volunteer] throwing the ball has got to be getting frustrated, but they obviously aren't and just keep throwing."
Cook said the program is designed around the individual needs of each child. And trying is more important than winning. Children, for example, can remain at bat for as long as they need to get a hit.
The Challenger League plays on the East Meadow Little League field on Merrick Avenue Sundays 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. from April to June. The league also offers a fall season from September through October.
"Lee Cook is amazing," Bob Hronec said. "The most important thing for him is to have the kids play. If the weather isn't good and the rest of the league isn't playing, our kids are. He gets the field into shape so they can play. Lee knows that playing on the Challenger league is what these kids live for."
To register a child for the league or to become a buddy, call Lee Cook at (516) 481-0943.
