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UT baseball hosts Knoxville Challenger

UT baseball players say hosting kids with special needs is one of their favorite events every year.

As the sun set at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on UT campus, the day got brighter for the kids on the field.

Members of the Knoxville Challenger League - a group that provides a sports outlet for children with special needs - took the field alongside members of the Vol baseball team.

Sophomore Garrett Stallings got to know as many Challenger players as he could in the dugout, before running the bases with them.

"They're so passionate about being out here and playing the game," the pitcher said. "They teach us not to take things for granted, and just give it our all like they did out here today."

The kids teach Stallings more about himself than a game ever could.

"It's huge for perspective," Stallings said. "We have a great time out here, but just looking at their eyes and seeing the smiles they put on at the opportunity to interact with us, it's an amazing experience."

The annual game is a hit for the kids and young adults it benefits. Some batters would call their shot in the vein of Babe Ruth, pointing their aluminum bats to the outfield. Others would jump up and down with enthusiasm when they scored a run.

It's one of the more rewarding experiences for a UT athlete.

"It reminds you of why you started playing this game and how much you actually love it," sophomore Pete Derkay said. "You're not just playing for yourself. You're playing for them, too."

Even though the game lasted around an hour, the memories will last a lifetime.

Knoxville Challenger League chairman Nic Arning likened the day to Christmas for the first day of school.

"It's the one game they look forward to the most," Arning said of the children.

You can find Knoxville Challenger's website here.

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