October 30 was a big day for Palo Alto Little League’s (PALL) Challenger division players. Twenty Stanford Cardinal varsity baseball players and more than thirty players from the PALL Challenger Giants, whose squad was supplemented by players from Menlo-Atherton and Sunnyvale Challenger teams, spent an afternoon together playing baseball at PALL’s Middlefield Ballpark.

Carter Graham, Stanford’s starting first baseman, reached out and proposed an event with the Giants of Palo Alto’s Challenger division nearly a year ago. Arranging an event, however, was interrupted by COVID, studies, Stanford’s baseball season, and their trip to the College World Series. Once Graham and Katie Talbot, the commissioner of the PALL Challenger division, settled on the date, the fun could start.

After warmups on the 30th, a spirited game followed. The players divided into two teams: the self-named “Jonas Brothers” and “Team Beat Cal.”

Jonas Brothers batted first and faced Carter Graham. He is not known for his pitching ability, and it showed. Every Giant got a base hit! Team Beat Cal was not to be outdone and also hit through their full lineup. A walk-off homer ended the game.

The Stanford players did not hit, concentrating on defense, instructing, supporting, and cheering on the Challenger division players. It was an uplifting afternoon, and the PALL Challenger Giants hope it will become an annual event.

Little League’s Challenger division is Little League’s adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. The Challenger division has been a part of Little League since 1989, and PALL has fielded Challenger division teams for twenty years. Players interested in participating in the 2023 spring season may register at https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/338099; there is no fee to register.

Questions about the program may be directed to the Challenger division commissioner at challenger@pabaseball.org.

The PALL Giants and their families thank the Stanford Cardinal players for generously sharing time with the Giants and encouraging the physical activity of and love for baseball with a group of enthusiastic players and fans.