ASTOR LL CHALLENGER DIVISION OPENING DAY
In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, Astor Little League’s Challenger Division’s opening day ceremony
was on Sunday, April 28 at its 2701 Bruner Avenue ball fi eld. Astor Little League Challenger Division allows children
with special needs like autism the opportunity to learn how to play baseball.
(top) Players and coaches from the Challenger Junior and Senior Divisions of the Astor Little
League, an inclusive team welcoming players ages 5-21 with special needs. Teams include Senior
Division teams Red Phantoms and Blue Lightning and Junior Division teams Orange Tomcats,
Purple Panthers and Yellow Jackets. (top right) Members of the Orioles team receive playing tips
from their team coach. (middle left) First time tee ball player Hunter Pena of the Orioles, got some
batting advice from team coach Luis Pena. (middle right) Astor Little League president Ed Clark
(l) and Senior league coordinator Victor Chevere (r) taught fi rst time tee ball player Marcel batting
techniques. (above left) Elijah Quintana (l), Blue Lightning Challenger Senior Division fi rst baseman,
with Andrew Quezada, Red Phantoms Challenger Senior Division, who made it to fi rst base.
(above right) Four to 6-year-old tee ball players from teams Orioles, Tigers and Angels with league
president Ed Clark (l) and senior league coordinator Victor Chevere.
Photos by Laura Stone
BRONX TIMES R 42 EPORTER, MAY 10-16, 2019 BTR