Thursday, October 1, 2026
For the first time in its 62 years, the Rockville Centre Little League will implement a division dedicated to developmentally and physically challenged youth.
The Challenger Division is designed to allow children with disabilities, like autism or cerebral palsy, to enjoy the game of baseball.
“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 Tom Bucaria, President of the Rockville Centre Little League. “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 discovered a parent interested in being the commissioner that the ball began 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, who is a board member for the league and has a 3-year-old daughter with Down syndrome, expressed how happy he was to be a part of bringing the division to the little league.
Though Kirley was not sure how many children would be interested in playing in the Challenger Division, he said he was optimistic.
“I’d be ecstatic with twenty, so that we could field two full teams,” Kirley said. “We’ll make it work however many. If we have 15 kids come out, maybe we wouldn’t have outfielders.”
Rockville Centre’s Challenger Division will follow the guidelines that were established by Little League International in 1989, Kirley said.
Part of those guidelines includes the use of teenage buddies for the players, who help the children make plays when they are needed. According to Kirley, the league has reached out to the Best Buddies groups at South Side High School and Middle School to find volunteers.
Registration for the Challenger Division will be held on Feb. 28 at the Anderson Recreation Center from 7-9 p.m. and the league plans to begin the season in mid-April.
The registration will cost $40 and will cover things like uniforms and insurance, though Bucaria said that they are willing to work with anyone in financial need.
According to Kirley, the board is planning for a season of at least 6 games, though depending on the enthusiasm from the players, that number could increase.
“We’re going to play the season by ear,” Kirley said. “It has to do with the type of response we get. I could play 12 games even, the more the merrier.”
