HR0580 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0580 LRB098 13899 GRL 48433 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Little League Baseball and Softball is the world's largest organized youth sports program, with nearly 2.6 million players and one million adult volunteers in every state in the nation and many other countries; the Little League Challenger Division is Little League's adaptive baseball programs for boys and girls with physical and developmental challenges; and

WHEREAS, The Little League Baseball World Series Challenger Exhibition Game has been a part of the Little League Baseball World Series schedule since 2001; boys and girls ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in a school program, with a physical or developmental challenge participate in the Challenger Division program; and

WHEREAS, Flexibility and adaptability are key during Challenger games; the innings are shortened and last about an hour, while all players play defensively and receive a chance to bat every inning; the players have "buddies" that are individuals who assist Challenger athletes in the areas of batting, base running, and defense as needed; often, buddies are peer athletes who are participating in the Little League Baseball or Softball program; and

WHEREAS, There are currently over 900 Challenger programs in 10 countries around the world; over 30,000 athletes participate in the Challenger Division; 40 to 50 programs apply to play during the Little League Baseball World Series every year; the Little League's staff review stories from each aspirant and select two teams that are exemplary; and

WHEREAS, Illinois District 13 from the Chicago area and California District 57 from the San Francisco area were selected to represent more than 30,000 Challenger players and more than 900 leagues worldwide; the Illinois District 13 Challenger Division, founded in 1994, has 165 players and 14 teams from the combination of the Bartlett, Tri-Cities, and Woodstock Little Leagues in the Greater Chicago area; and

WHEREAS, On August 24, 2013 at Volunteer Stadium in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the Little League Challenger Division played its 13th consecutive exhibition game; Illinois District 13 experienced the trip of a lifetime; the teams exchanged gift bags between players and their "buddies" and each player received a baseball autographed by ESPN baseball analysts; most importantly, the teams also received publicity, which results in a positive outcome; and

WHEREAS, Every batter recorded a hit, reached base safely, and scored a run; the two teams successfully finished the game - a game in which no player is concerned about the score; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate the Woodstock Challenger Little League team for participating in the Little League Baseball World Series Challenger Exhibition Game; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Woodstock Challenger Little League team.