Volunteering with Whitecourt Challenger Baseball is like “happiness is getting paid to my heart”

On Tuesday last week, the Whitecourt Challenger Baseball group set up inside the back space at the Allan & Jean Millar Centre for a dry spot to play. With menacing skies outside and looming thunderstorms on the way, the move was a good choice, as everyone still wanted to get together and have fun.

Challenger Baseball is Jays Care Foundation’s adaptive baseball program in partnership with Little League Canada and Baseball Canada. Jays Care provides groups with resources like t-shirts, hats, balls, equipment, and training. It runs locally for six weeks each spring, kickstarting in May and ending in mid-June. The program teaches core life skills linked to baseball, including courage, determination, communication, and teamwork.

“It’s a program for kids with disabilities so they can play baseball. Most kids with disabilities don’t have the opportunity to play organized sports,” explained local program coordinator Tracy Hilts. “We start with a warmup which is games like red light/green light, and then we do a section called Skills and Drills where we bat off of the tee, throw the ball against hoola hoops and learn how to throw, catch, and hit. It’s different little activities that we focus on.”

Through their Jays Care Foundation, the Toronto Blue Jays are highlighting play’s transformative ability on children and youth. Local programs run nationwide, getting children living with disabilities into the action. “Bernnie Gervais is the one who brought Challenger Baseball to Whitecourt,” explained Hilts. “She saw a need in the community that we weren’t reaching kids with special needs. She stepped forward and looked for a program and found this one. She started it from square one,  spearheading it and making it the program it is today.”

This year, Gervais stepped down from the board. Her impact in bringing the group to Whitecourt will touch children and their families for years to come. Hilts said she joined Challenger Baseball seven years ago. “Bernnie needed help, so I stepped up to help her and have been involved ever since. With my job, I work with kids with disabilities, so it’s a passion of mine. I want to give these children an opportunity to play sports because it’s so much fun and so rewarding.”

One of the most beautiful aspects of the program is that it links other youth and community members with the Challenger athletes. “We have a core group of volunteers, eleven of them, that are signed up to come every week, and then every week we also bring in different groups, usually baseball teams,” said Hilts.

The first team that helped when the program started last month was the U18 AAs. “We had the U15 AA Whitecourt Royals today. Last week was the U15 A’s, and then we had the St. Joseph School staff come one week too.” Hilts said that she loves seeing what the program brings to the volunteers, called Buddies. “They get to play with children that maybe they normally wouldn’t get to play with and realize how awesome these kids are and see how much fun it is. It brings our community together.”

This year, seventeen children between the ages of five and fourteen were registered to play. “I love seeing the challengers getting to play a sport and do an activity that their siblings probably get to do. It’s their own activity that they get to do,” said Hilts. To the youth baseball players coming to volunteer, Hilts said it gives them leadership and allows them to give back to their community meaningfully. “They also get to bring their baseball skills and help teach other kids. It’s fun.”

Her son, Elijah Hilts, 14, is one of the youths who volunteers as a Buddy, helping teach the Challengers how to play a game he loves. Hilts plays on the U15 Whitecourt Royals and has volunteered with Challenger Baseball for years. “I’ve come every year, and so far this year, I’ve come three times. I enjoy helping kids learn the game of baseball since they can’t play house league. I like seeing them be happy playing baseball because they haven’t played many sports. They are energetic and love to play catch and bat.” Elijah said watching the kids play was heartwarming and said volunteering makes him happy. “I’m not getting paid to do this, but it’s like happiness is getting paid to my heart, being part of it and watching it.”

Those interested in Whitecourt Challenger Baseball can email wctchallenger@gmail.com or message the Whitecourt Minor Ball Facebook page. This year’s sponsor, RD Contracting, was a big help. Hilts also said Stitch ‘N Time helped with the trophies they give out on the final night. Community groups or businesses looking for a team-building opportunity for staff are encouraged to reach out at the email above to volunteer for one of next year’s weeks. Any companies interested in sponsoring the use of the AJMC fieldhouse as a dry space to play when it’s wet outside are also encouraged to reach out.