The Challenger division of the Wayne Little League will receive more than $92,000 from the Passaic County Open Space Trust Fund to help pay for improvements to its baseball field.

Local, county, and state officials were at the team’s field for a ceremonial check presentation on Saturday. The field is located next to the Wayne Boys & Girls Club.

The Challenger division is exclusively for special needs children. Each of the participants is paired with an older partner who encourages and assists them to try their best. The two-team division was founded a few years ago. 

The funds will be used to help pay for handicapped ramps and improvements to the field.

“It’s a tremendous program. We started out with 10 kids and now look, at us,” said Joe DiDonato, a member of the league’s Board of Directors, as he pointed out to the kids as they practiced before the weekly game. “It’s an amazing thing to see. These kids try their hardest and the helpers, the parents, the coaches, they all volunteers their time.”

Kathleen Caren, the open space coordinator for Passaic County, said that the league presented officials with “a beautiful opportunity to help a deserving group of people.”

“There’s such dedication here,” Caren said.  “It’s really beautiful.”

Ray Egatz, one of the founding members of the open space committee said that the funds are a “wonderful way to help out an organization that is dedication to the children of Wayne.”