Sunday, June 24, was "Rhode Island Day" at Fenway Park in Boston. The Boston Red Sox held tribute to a very special group of kids from Portsmouth, the Little League Challenger Division. 

The team was acknowledged on the field during the National Anthem and every team member received an official MLB baseball and Red Sox players autographed the baseballs.

This year will be a special year for the team as they are one of two teams in the country to be selected to participate in the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA.

The league is made possible by Coach Bob Dyl and all the unselfish and dedicated volunteers.

“We are extremely excited and grateful to Sam Ranck, and Little League Baseball and Softball, for giving us this incredible opportunity,” Bob Dyl, the Director of the Challenger Division in Rhode Island District 2, said. “This will be an experience that will live in the hearts and minds of these children and their parents forever. We also thank the Portsmouth (R.I.) Little League for their continued support.”

The Challenger Division was established in 1989 as a separate division of Little League that enables boys and girls with developmental and physical challenges, ages 4-18, or up to age 22 if still enrolled in high school, to enjoy the game of baseball.

The team will be raising funds to help pay the expenses for travel to the Little League World Series. Anyone interested in making a donation to support their efforts to play in Williamsport should make a check out to PLL Challenger Division, and mail it to:

PLL Challenger
PO Box 38
Portsmouth RI 02871

For additional information, please contact Bob Dyl at 401-368-0549.