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They say it's not whether you win or lose; it's how you play the game. Thanks to men like Sid Witt Sr. and his son, Sid Witt Jr., for a bunch of kids it's not how you play the game, it's that they can play the game.

The game is baseball. And the kids love it.

In 1989, over a glass of iced tea shared with Willis Waldron on Sid Witt Sr.'s Salem deck, the local Challenger Little League program was born. Boys and girls 5 to 18 years of age, whose mental or physical disabilities once prevented them from playing baseball, were able to take to the field.

Although Waldron, who was born with polio, has died, but his dream continues.

"We started with two teams in 1989 consisting of six to eight kids, and we have grown to five teams with 65 kids in the program," said Sid Witt Jr., the league's assistant district administrator. "Most of them are local, but we do have some as far away as Radford and Christiansburg."

Witt Sr. invites any parent who might be hesitant to bring their child to just come out and watch a game. He said, "I think a lot of parents are afraid to bring them out here thinking they can't do anything, but they can."

They truly can. On a hot summer evening at Bogle Field in Salem, it didn't matter whether they wore leg braces, were in a wheelchair, used a walker or needed any kind of help -- those kids played baseball, gave it their all and smiled the entire time.

"I'm not too sure they don't play it the way it's supposed to be played," Witt Sr. noted. "They just play and have fun."

So does everyone involved. "There's a saying as far as us volunteers; we take home a lot more than we bring," Witt Jr. commented.

Some volunteers have been with the league since its inception. Others are newcomers. All have a way with the kids.

Lobbing a ball toward home plate, Adam Neel of Southwest County, makes adjustments according to each batter's needs. The 16-year-old Hidden Valley High School rising junior is the pitcher and coach of the Glenvar Rotary A's.

As a recreational-league player, Adam wasn't content to just slap the Challenger players' hands once a year on the season's opening day. Wanting to know more about the Challenger league, he asked his mom how he could get involved, and did.

"I've been here for three years now," Neel said. "This is such a great thing. I wish more people knew about it." The players cross home plate and with a slap of hands, their faces light up.

Roanoke County resident Allan McCoy's son Ryan has been playing for five years. McCoy said the experience has been rewarding for him and his son. "You see the joy and the fun that these kids with special needs have," McCoy said. "Also, it really helps you put life in perspective."

The league is free for the families. It provides uniforms, trophies, awards, banquets and even a trip to Virginia Beach so the kids can participate in the Worldwide Challenger Jamboree tournament.

Witt Jr. said the league has been successful thanks to local organizations and clubs that sponsor teams and events, along with fundraisers held throughout the year. There's still time to register for the 7th Annual Golf Tournament being held June 30 at Ole Monterey Golf Club. Any golfer is welcome to play, and donations are appreciated anytime.

"It takes a lot of money to provide for these kids to be like everybody else," Witt Jr. said. "Every child knows themselves they're disabled. They don't need everybody to keep reminding them. They need a friend, a pal."

For more info call 309-6274 or write P.O. Box 1903, Salem, 24153.