CU Kiwanis Tom Jones Challenger League

Founded in 1998 by Tom Jones — a wheelchair user since age six, University of Illinois graduate, local broadcaster, and disability advocate — along with fellow Kiwanians Bob and Marilyn Abbuehl and Kirk Bedwell, the Kiwanis Challenger League gives children and young adults ages 6-21 with physical and/or intellectual disabilities the chance to play baseball just like their siblings and friends. Renamed in Tom’s honor after his passing in 2008, the league is a program of the Kiwanis Club of Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and partners with the Champaign-Urbana Special Recreation Department. Games and practices are held at the handicap-accessible AMBUCS Park in Urbana, with volunteer “buddies” helping players bat, run bases, and experience the joy of teamwork alongside University of Illinois athletes at an annual all-star game. Since its founding, TJCL has grown from two teams and 13 players to ten teams and over 100 participants, and has helped launch similar Challenger League programs in Danville and Paris, Illinois.

Website: https://www.tomjonesleague.org/