Lewisporte Hits a Home Run with Challenger Baseball
In Lewisporte, Newfoundland, the baseball field has become a symbol of inclusion and joy, thanks to the transformative power of the Challenger Baseball program. Led by passionate coach Kalista Sharron, the program gave children of all abilities a chance to experience the joy of the game, build confidence, and form lasting connections. For Kalista, the journey with Challenger Baseball started three years ago as part of Lewisporte Minor Softball's summer programming. Over the summer, kids played softball every day for an hour, plus additional dedicated practice sessions.
Kalista recalls how the extra equipment provided by Jays Care Foundation made a significant difference: "Having 14 balls instead of 4 means every child gets more opportunities to touch the ball. The gloves, bats, and other gear helped kids and parents feel invested, especially when parents might not have bought equipment themselves." The impact on the children was immediate and deeply rewarding. With the additional tees, kids could practice batting simultaneously, building their skills and confidence. Kalista remembers seeing the younger players, especially the under-11 group, use the tees and eventually hit from a pitch—a moment that filled both the children and Kalista with pride: "When a kid hits a pitched ball after practicing with the tee, I think I was more excited than any of the parents! It’s moments like that that make all the effort worthwhile." Training and support from Jays Care were also key to the program's success. Kalista loved the video training sessions, describing them as engaging, interactive, and highly informative. "The video chat made training feel real-time and personal.
It was incredibly informative and gave us the confidence to adapt the programming in ways that suited our community." Kalista and her fellow coaches adapted Challenger Baseball to meet the needs of their community by ensuring no child felt left out, regardless of ability or previous experience. Kalista also noted the positive changes in behavior and inclusivity among the participants. She mentioned how older kids started modeling responsibility and teamwork that fostered a sense of pride across the field. The highlight for many was the "Run the Bases Parade," where kids would joyously run to each base, calling out its number. "Seeing their excitement as they shouted out each base number was priceless. Incredible moments like this show how much the kids are enjoying themselves and learning without even realizing it." Kalista is confident that Challenger Baseball will continue to be a core component of Lewisporte’s summer programming.
When asked about expanding the program, she expressed enthusiasm for linking it to the town's social media, helping more families become aware of the opportunity. "If more families knew about this program, I am certain we’d see more participation." With the support of Jays Care Foundation, Lewisporte has shown how a community can come together to make sports accessible to every child. From added equipment that increases engagement to innovative training that empowers coaches, Challenger Baseball has created a level playing field—one where all kids can grow, learn, and, most importantly, have fun. Kalista hopes that other communities will see the success in Lewisporte and be inspired to bring Challenger Baseball to their fields.
