Local dignitaries recently joined members of Massapequa Challenger Baseball at the dedication of Challenger Field and the first game at the newly renovated facility located in John J. Burns Town Park, located in Massapequa.

Challenger Baseball is a Little League-sanctioned program that gives physically and mentally challenged children the opportunity to play baseball in an environment structured to their abilities.

The town renovated a field to meet the special needs of the players with such features as wider gate openings to accommodate wheelchairs and cement pads to facilitate access onto the field. The synthetic FieldTurf offers a stable, uniform and shock-absorbing playing surface, which is safer than traditional grass and easier to move around on.

The day's events kicked off with a short parade from the parking area to the playing field followed by Supervisor John Venditto throwing out the first pitch of the game.