Challenger Baseball: Redefining Success

On a warm, sunny day in June, 375 baseball players, along with their families and approximately 200 volunteers, descended upon the Field of Dreams complex in Paoli, PA.

But this wasn’t just any other day of baseball.

While a DJ spun favorites like “Centerfield,” “We Are the Champions” and the traditional “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” the crowd joined in, singing along with more anticipation than competition in the air.

Challenger Day is a special event hosted every few years by the Berwyn/Paoli Area Little League (BPALL) for the league’s Challenger Division, which provides children with physical and intellectual disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy of America’s pastime. Players ages 6-36 travel from several neighboring counties to play. (BPALL was the first to add a “senior” division for players 18+ to continue playing the game they love.)

Given the values of brotherly love and charity that the event showcases, it’s not surprising Masons have been involved in growing the program as leaders, donors and volunteers.

One by one, the teams, dressed in Major League Baseball-themed jerseys, were announced. The players and coaches entered the field between a tunnel of navy T-shirt-clad volunteers, called “Buddies,” who cheered them on with high fives. The players’ biggest fan–the Phillie Phanatic–amused the crowd with his usual antics. Once the sea of players was positioned around the outfield, the color guard, comprised of Boy Scouts, led the opening ceremonies as a player sang the National Anthem, to the applause of the crowd.

Then the real fun began.

Teams dispersed among the eight fields to PLAY BALL!

The players took their positions, while Buddies joined them to provide assistance as needed with hitting, fielding, running the bases or with emotional support. Every accomplishment was celebrated with joy, and any errors were overlooked. Winning at Challenger Day is not reflected by scores, but by smiles.

Buddies include local school students and baseball and softball teams. A group of four young men from Malvern Prep High School came out to volunteer because they heard it was a great Christian volunteer opportunity. “It feels so good to give back,” one said. “We’re having a lot of fun.”

“The Buddy aspect is important because the volunteers get a lot out of it,” said Brother Tom Toscani, Challenger Program Director and a member of Melita Lodge No. 295, Philadelphia. “Plus, it allows the parents to get a break–to sit on the sidelines and watch their children play for a change.”

No day of baseball would be complete without freshly grilled hot dogs, which all attendees enjoyed along with Philly soft pretzels, chips, cold drinks and a visit to the Good Humor ice cream truck. Big white tents provided shade for lunch and socialization.

It was 7-year-old Violet’s first-ever Challenger Day. Pushing her wheelchair, her mother said, “We had a great day. Her brothers are playing baseball elsewhere, or they would’ve loved it, too.”

Liam, age 14, said his favorite parts of the day were throwing the ball and the Phillie Phanatic.

While in line to compete in the Home Run Derby, veteran player James, age 30, said he hopes to help coach in the near future. He enjoys socializing with the Buddies on Challenger Day.

To a bystander, the event appears to run seamlessly, almost effortlessly. But in reality, preparations begin months in advance, from soliciting donations (the event cost $42,000), maintaining the fields and recruiting volunteers to gathering supplies and setting up tents.

Each player went home with a backpack full of donated goods from Philly sports teams and local businesses, a feeling of accomplishment and cherished memories.

Brother Tom Toscani has coordinated BPALL Challenger Day for 33 years. For 14 of those (1992–2006), he served as BPALL President and spearheaded the development of the Field of Dreams complex, named after the just then newly-released movie starring Kevin Costner. (The actor later donated a poster signed, “See Ya at the Fields!” to be auctioned to benefit the complex.)

Before Tom took over, the event consisted of a few dozen children playing on four to five fields. But that all changed after he met a young couple who visited the newly constructed Field of Dreams complex with their two young children, both disabled. At the time, the road leading to the fields wasn’t yet paved, and with the absence of handicap ramps, Tom helped them navigate the bumpy terrain–hoping he wouldn’t slip down the hill while steering their son’s wheelchair. Obviously used to being full-time caregivers, the couple was excited for their children to experience America’s favorite pastime like everyone else.

“That’s when it hit me–these young parents are never off duty. They’re on call 24/7,” he said.

At a planning meeting a few days later, Tom recounted the experience. Touched by the story, people offered solutions. One offered to pave the driveway. Another installed ramps. Someone purchased tents for shade. The late Brother Larry Christenson, who pitched for the Phillies in the 1980 World Series, called in the Phillie Phanatic and contributed financially. When Challenger Day arrived 10 short days later, 175 children, their families and Buddies experienced the magical day Tom envisioned. The event grew in numbers every year until Tom realized the need to cap it at 375 players.

“I’m a connector,” Tom said, referencing his vast network of clients, relatives, friends, neighbors and, of course, Freemasons. “When there’s a need, I look for people I know who may be able to help. Some give money; others want to be hands-on. Some do both. There’s no limit to what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit.”

Several other members of Melita Lodge No. 295 have volunteered their time with and/or financially supported the Challenger Program; the lodge itself paid for the complex’s first handicap ramp. Brother Bill Kingsbury, CEO of the Masonic Charities, coached for 20 years, and his wife, Maureen, served as Treasurer for 10 years. Masonic Village board member Brother Robert J. Cepielik and his family painted the concession building and served as Challenger Day Buddies. Brother Ryan Wheeler, Masonic Village board member and Chairman of the Masonic Children’s Home board of directors, volunteered at the Field of Dreams with his fraternity while attending Drexel University.

Tom has long been called to serve individuals with developmental disabilities. In high school and again in law school, he volunteered with kids with special needs. That experience cultivated his passion for enhancing the lives of youth, a commitment that became even more personal when his grandson, Carter, was born with several physical and cognitive challenges.

In 2009, Tom was presented with the 14th annual “Great Friends to Kids Award” by the Please Touch Museum for his two decades of work and financial contributions to the Field of Dreams complex. The Phillie Phanatic was a fellow honoree.

Prior to launching his current firm, Toscani, Stathes & Zoeller, LLP, Tom worked with R.W. Past Grand Master John K. Young at Peck, Young & VanSant in the early 1980s. Through Brother John, he was exposed to the Masonic Temple, Library & Museum and the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown. He was immediately impressed while observing and presenting at board meetings and meeting numerous high-quality men in the fraternity.

“Success begets success,” Tom said. “Everything is first class. The mission is great. I wanted to be part of it.

Tom was raised in Melita Lodge No. 295 in 1984. He has since served the Grand Lodge and Masonic Charities in various capacities, including on the Masonic Village’s Board of Directors (a role for which he received the Trustee of the Year Award from LeadingAge PA), on the Bylaws Committee and as a Trustee of the Consolidated Fund and of the Masonic Temple. He was honored with the 33° in 2010 and awarded the Franklin Medal in 2022.

Tom has encouraged several close friends to join his lodge, including fellow baseball lover Brother Kurt Misialek, who took over his role as President of BPALL from 2007–2012. Kurt went on to serve as Secretary and Worshipful Master of Melita Lodge No. 295 and currently serves on the Grand Lodge Committee on Finance and as a Trustee of the Consolidated Fund.

“One of the things that’s really cool about Freemasonry is you befriend people whom you would never meet otherwise,” Kurt said. “Some of my best friends I’ve met through our lodge, and I never would’ve met them if it wasn’t for Freemasonry. It really does help you aspire to be a better person.”

Kurt also shares Tom’s passion for community service. As President/CEO of Eggland’s Best, he is proud that the company is an Official Partner of Little League® and has been an Official Sponsor of Little League Challenger Division® and the Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game at the Little League Baseball® World Series since 2023. The corporate sponsorship helps to offset the costs for the teams to participate. That commitment literally hit home when BPALL was selected to send a Challenger team to compete with a Challenger team from Oakley, CA, this August in Williamsport.

“We believe every athlete deserves the opportunity to experience the camaraderie and confidence that comes from being part of a team,” Kurt said. “We are honored to support these two outstanding leagues as they create unforgettable memories for their players, families and communities.”

The friendly competition celebrates the spirit of inclusion that the Challenger program stands for.

Kurt said the sponsorship is a great way to give back.

“As you’d imagine, a lot of these families have a lot of expenses as it is, so the support enables them to stay closer to town, which is important for the participants,” he said.

The funding makes the experience extra special for the families, covering fun opportunities like a picnic, pizza party and an ice cream outing. The players are treated like all-stars; their schedule includes a pre-game practice, pictures, interviews with the PBS affiliate that covers the event and tickets to the World of Little League® Museum, fun zone and championship game.

Together, these Pennsylvania Masons are perpetuating the vision created by Brother Carl E. Stotz, founder of Little League®:

“Little League baseball is a real community project, and everyone participates–mother, dad, sister and brother. It’s entirely amateur, and completely nonprofit. Sponsorship of the teams is strictly a local undertaking. It teaches good sportsmanship and teamwork on and off the playing field, and importantly, it builds healthy minds and bodies for the youth of our land.”