Like so many youngsters, Thaddeus Garcia, 6, said his favorite part about baseball is getting to hit.

Thanks to the Challenger Division of Little League, Garcia is given that opportunity.

Little League established the Challenger Division in 1989 to give children with disabilities the opportunity to play organized baseball. Over 30,000 children in 900 leagues across the United States are taking part this season.

North Whidbey Little League established its first Challenger team this spring, and Thaddeus and his teammates on the North Whidbey Mariners wrapped up the season with a home game against the Mill Creek Royals Sunday.

Jason McDermott, coach of the Mariners, and family friend Susanna Ennes were the driving force to establish a Challenger team in Oak Harbor.

McDermott coached his son’s Little League team last year, and Ennis’ special-needs son Eric would attend many of the practices. At the end of practice, McDermott would stick around to work on the fundamentals of baseball with Eric.

“Susanna said she wished that Eric could play sports, and that sparked the drive to get a team,” McDermott said.

McDermott was also motivated by his past. His brother played in the Challenger Division in Fairfax, Va., the first year Little League offered the program, and McDermott was one of the buddies who helped the players on the team.

McDermott’s North Whidbey Mariners include 12 players ages four to 13.

This year’s goal, McDermott said, is for “the kids to have a great time.” The future goal is to get more children involved; he is shooting for at least two teams next year.

The Mariners played six games this spring — two against the Royals and four against North Whidbey T-ball and A-league teams.

“It was great for the kids to play with and against their friends and classmates,” McDermott said.

Tiffany Thompson said her daughter, Zoe Rose, “loved T-ball when she was little.”

“When she aged out, she couldn’t keep up with her peers; this gives her a chance to play.”

Zoe, 11, is a big Seattle Mariners fan, Thompson added, so getting to play on a team with the same nickname is a treat.

For the Thompsons, the North Whidbey Mariner games are a family affair.

“We are the only family from the South End (Freeland), but we are willing to make the 45-minute drive because Zoe really loves playing.”

Zoe Thompson’s brother, Quentin, is her buddy on the field, and father Steve Thompson is the public address announcer.

Sunday, the players smiled at Steve Thompson’s enthusiastic introductions, often looking to the sky in search of the source of the booming voice.

McDermott and Thompson both said the games also have a positive impact on the buddies (siblings, parents and friends) who help the players on the field.

“It’s good for Quentin to be out here,” Tiffany Thompson said. “He is a good big brother, a good helper for all of the team.”

McDermott said, “The buddies that help out learn that just because these kids have disabilities, it doesn’t mean they can’t play.”

Arlene Johnson, whose granddaughter Lydia Vaughan, 13, plays for the Mariners, said the Challenger Division helps with socialization and acceptance.

“These kids realize that others care about them,” Johnson said. “They also get to be part of a team.”

It’s a great experience, Johnson added: “Say ‘baseball,’ and Lydia gets a big smile.”

Being on the team also gave Vaughan the opportunity to take part in the Seattle Mariners’ Little League Day and enjoy the thrill of walking out on Safeco Field, Johnson said.

Thaddeus Garcia’s mother, Sarah Garcia, who also volunteers as the team mom, said, “When he first got his uniform, all he wanted to do was put it on, to be a Mariner.”

Austen Dearing, 10, said the best thing about playing for the Mariners is “having fun.”

He also likes the fact that he “can find out more about other kids.”

“All of our players are fair to each other and like to play with each other,” he added.

Dearing, like Thaddeus Garcia, looks forward to his turn in the batter’s box.

“Coach Jason helps me learn how to hit,” Dearing said. “I like to hit it far.”

Welcome to the joys of baseball, Austen.