Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Rockville Centre Little League’s Challenger Division held its inaugural opening-day game last Saturday, with more than 150 people in attendance.
This is the first time in the league’s 62-year history that a division has been implemented that is dedicated to developmentally and physically challenged youth. The Challenger Division is designed to allow children with disabilities, like autism and cerebral palsy, to enjoy baseball.
“We had a great day on Saturday,” said the division’s commissioner, Gene Kirley. “It went really well.”
Mayor Francis Murray led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by a rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” by former league board member Jim Tarpey.
The Challenger Division registered 18 players, but according to Kirley, there were only 15 players on Saturday, so they were split into two teams of seven and eight. In addition, 30 “buddies” — students from St. Agnes and South Side middle and high schools ranging in age from 10 to 17 — helped out. Many of the students are part of the Best Buddies groups at their respective schools. The Red and Blue teams played for about four innings, which lasted about an hour.
“What I love most about these kids is they aren’t playing for a trophy,” Kirley said. “For them it’s all about the love of the game, and it’s baseball in its purest form.”
Mr. Met was on hand after the game to sign autographs and pose for pictures, and Frank’s Steaks provided hot dogs and drinks, while Ralph’s Ices provided the chilled dessert.
“Baseball is such an American thing, and to be able to bring it to another segment of our population just seems like a great opportunity,” said Little League President Tom Bucaria. “I still refer to it as the national pastime.”
Bucaria said he had the idea to bring the Challenger Division to Rockville Centre last year, but it wasn’t until he found a parent who was interested in being the commissioner — Kirley — that the ball got rolling. “I mentioned the idea to someone earlier this year, and Gene Kirley just stood right up and said he was interested,” Bucaria said. “Through the Rockville Centre school district, we’ve identified a group we think will be interested.”
Kirley, a Little League board member who has a 3-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, said he was happy to be a part of bringing the division to the league. According to Kirley, the season will have a total of six games, played every Saturday through June 2, except for Memorial Day weekend.
