Longtime coach reflects on continued success of Challenger Baseball League
by Dan Holland
As Northeast Ohio Challenger Baseball kicked off its 34th season, Broadview Heights resident Pete Kijinski, who has been a coach in the program for 27 years, reflected on the success of the league – an adaptive division of little league baseball for children and young adults with disabilities.
The league was founded on a national level in 1989, with a league being formed in the Brecksville-Broadview Heights area in 1992. This year’s opening game took place May 31 at The Fields of Broadview Heights.
Kijinski first learned of the league through his church. He recalled during his first year with the program meeting a then five-year-old local boy with disabilities named Tommy D’Amico.
“I have a connection with all players, but the connection I had – and still have – with Tommy was special and unique,” said Kijinski. “I knew and sensed that within that little boy, who at that time did not speak, was a deep well of humor, sarcasm, and joy.”
“I would jokingly tell Tommy, ‘Wipe that smile off your face; there is no smiling in baseball.’ And, I told him he better not continue to mess up the field with tire tracks from his chair. He has never lost that smile, and, thankfully, he continues to ‘mess up’ the field with tire tracks to this day as a player-coach.”
Kijinski noted the dedication of numerous coaches over the years, who all cheer on the teams, serve hotdogs and help with set-up and clean-up.
Longtime league president Jim Cipriani, who passed away in 2021, was instrumental in holding the league together for many years, noted Kijinski.
“Jim was a soft-spoken, yet powerful man and leader of Challenger Baseball who showed kindness to all and had a very special place in his heart for children and young adults with disabilities,” he said. “He also had tremendous respect and admiration for the parents and caretakers. I think that we all felt that it would be impossible for anyone to be able to fill his shoes following his passing.”
Broadview Heights Ward 2 Councilman Brian Wolf, whose son Jack, has been a Challenger Baseball player for many years, took over as league president in 2022.
“Brian and Karen Wolf stepped up to the plate, and I’m sure Jim is smiling down with pride and joy over what they have achieved and continue to achieve,” said Kijinski. “Of course, it’s a team effort, but Brian and Karen work tirelessly at making Challenger Baseball the best.”
“After all the work we put into this, when you come out on the field, it makes it all worthwhile,” said Brian Wolf. “Seeing the kids on the field with their smiles, chasing the ball and seeing all their friends again; it all just all falls into place.”
Kijinski also noted the league’s many sponsors.
Having fun in the adaptive league is a top priority every season, he added.
“Our hope is that all children understand just how much fun this would be for them, and any disability becomes a non-disability once they walk or wheel onto the field,” he said. “In our world of baseball, everyone gets a hit, everyone comes home, and – above all – we have a lot of fun.”