When the Bordentown Little League debuted its Challenger Division, it was to help youngsters enjoy baseball while challenging others to see beyond their special needs.
by Amy Batista, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN — When the Bordentown Little League debuted its Challenger Division, it was to help youngsters enjoy baseball while challenging others to see beyond their special needs.
”My goal of the program was to give boys and girls who may not otherwise have an opportunity to learn to play and love baseball,” said Mark Roselli, of Bordentown Township, vice president of the Bordentown Little League Challenger Division. “I love baseball and started playing when I was a little boy with my dad.”
Mr. Rosseli said he wanted to share his love of baseball with children who have special needs who do not always have the same opportunities to play America’s pastime.
Last year, the team had 11 boys ranging in ages 4 to 18. This year, the team has five boys signed up so far and Mr. Roselli is hoping more will join the team, which he named “Bravehearts.”
”Knowing how hard the players have to sometimes push themselves to accomplish what many may perceive as a relatively simple task and then succeed is priceless,” Mr. Roselli said.
”That is why I chose the name “Bravehearts” for the team. It is my favorite movie and also is true expression of the type of person each of these players are and will be for life. There are struggles both on and off the field. But they persist in their effort to try to succeed their efforts are truly heroic in nature and they their effort is sincere, it is true and is with all of their heart.
”The program certainly is not about me,” he added. “It is all the players and their families. It is about having those both adults and children who may be unaware, unsure or suspect of child who may be different than them, either physically or emotionally, that there is no real difference.”
Mr. Roselli has a daughter, Hannah, 17, and two sons, Augustine,11, and Blaise, 13. Blaise has Down syndrome.
”There are not enough words for me to describe all that he has meant to our family,” Mr. Roselli said. “With Blaise, I am able to experience that type of unconditional love everyday because he simply loves me for who I am nothing more and nothing less. So that is the true inspiration is because I want him to enjoy his life. Blaise lives in the moment and we try as his parents to make each moment a special one.”
Augustine has been playing baseball since he was seven in Bordentown. Blaise later expressed a desire to play as well.
”When I would go to his games and practices, Blaise would accompany me,” Mr. Roselli said. “Blaise would talk to me about baseball and wanting to be on a team and that he wanted to play with Augustine.”
The idea of forming the program started in the early fall of 2012.
”There was no reason that Blaise should not be playing baseball so that is when I approached the league about starting the Challenger Program in Bordentown,” he said.
He decided to approach two representatives of the Bordentown Little League, John Schroeder and Matt Kohnke, and inquired about starting the program.
”They got back to me and said that it would be something that the league would be interested in pursuing,” he said.
He met with Tim Fairlie, who was the board president at the time, and worked together to finally launch the division in 2013.
The only other such division in the area is Hamilton Township, which began at least 20 years ago, he said, adding it’s his goal to reach out to families in Northern Burlington County.
”I strongly believe that sports, especially for boys, are a great way to instill discipline, a work ethic and a sense of team work,” Mr. Roselli said. “I treat the players in the Challenger program no differently than the other boys I coach with my son Augustine in that I require that they work hard, put out effort, listen and remain disciplined.”
He further noted that these skills will help them both on and off the field.
”It is important that they are able to experience a sense of accomplishment as that will also help to build their confidence,” he said, adding that at times more patience is required.
They use the gymnasium at Divine Word for indoor practice and then play at Northern Community Park.
”Since it is enclosed, it reduces the outside distractions and it is easier to keep the boys focused,” he said, adding that John Schroeder was very instrumental in helping organize this and that the team will then go outside when the weather is warmer.
”I wanted to give the parents of my players the opportunity to just relax and enjoy watching their child play baseball,” he added. “I understand their concerns about their children. While they certainly can (and do) assist, I really wanted this to be a chance for them to sit back, watch and enjoy.”
John Isbirian, of Florence, has a son, Austin, who participates in the program.
”The Bordentown Challenger League provides a terrific outlet for special needs kids to play baseball in an extremely supportive environment,” said Mr. Isbirian. “It is enhanced by a wonderful mix of caring adult and youth volunteers and especially as a result of the unending enthusiasm of Mark Roselli.”
Mr. Roselli is hoping to bring more attention to the program and better understanding of it to the community.
”I also feel it was great for Bordentown Little League and for the community in general to be made aware that hey these children are really no different and that you can and should embrace them so that they feel part of the Bordentown community,” he said.
He said he believes the division presents an opportunity for the uniformed to become informed that noting that everyone is the same, “especially in the eyes of God.”
”In reality, Blaise and the other children who participate are simply special and it is the rest of us who have needs,” he said. “The reality is that unfortunately there are still many ignorant people in the world – those who stare or may make comment when they see someone who others perceive as not being not normal.”
The team is also looking for “buddies,” children, teens and adults to volunteer with the program.
”Last year, the response was awesome and I know that everyone who was a ‘buddy’ got much more out of it then they could have ever expected,” he said.
The program will be starting in the beginning of April following opening day for Little League and will continue to mid-June when little league ends their schedule.
The team meets on Saturday afternoons and the time has yet to be determined as it also depends on the scheduling of the fields.
Anyone interested in volunteering as a “buddy” or knows someone who may want to play baseball with the Bordentown Bravehearts can contact Mark Roselli at [email protected] or by phone at 609-586-2257 or 609-298-3058.
For additional information, please visit www.bordentownlittleleague.org.