This past Thursday, July 28th, saw dozens of excited kids and plenty of cheering fans head out to Eichelberger Field at the University of Illinois for the Tom Jones Challenger League (TJCL) All Star game. If you’re not familiar with TCJL, this is a league that helps children ages 6-21 with a variety of physical or mental challenges have a good time through the fun of playing baseball. As noted on the TCJL website, the league was created in 1998 by Tom Jones, who was in a wheelchair since childhood, and has grown from two teams and 13 players to ten teams with over 100 players.
For the game itself, each player received pitches until they got a hit (no balls or strikes here!), and if the batting got tough they had a “buddy”- parents, volunteers, and even University athletes- step in to help. After scoring a hit, it was off to first base to wait for their teammate to take a turn. Meanwhile, the outfield was filled with players and buddies hanging out together and waiting for the hits to come their way- not to mention cheering on and congratulating the runners on the other team! Two games total were played, with each of the four teams seeing two full rosters of at bats during the night. Plenty of hugs, smiles, and high-fives were had, and that is exactly what the TJCL is about: fun no matter who you are, or what your challenges in life may be.
Check below for more photos from the night’s action. If you have or know a child that could benefit from the league’s activity, or are interested in becoming a volunteer, make sure to head to the Tom Jones Challenger League website or check them out on Facebook.
About the author: Stephen N. Kemp<img alt=”” class=”ci-image ci-small” data-cke-saved-src=”http://www.smilepolitely.com/?ACT=33&f=skemp_smile_signature__small.jpg&fid=25&d=16743&” src=”http://www.smilepolitely.com/?ACT=33&f=skemp_smile_signature__small.jpg&fid=25&d=16743&” right;”=”” style=”float: right;”>
Stephen is an IT manager at the University of Illinois and has been a photographer with Smile Politely since 2015. Find his photography on Facebook, the web, or contact him directly via email.