News - Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball

Jays Care Foundation 50/50 Raffle

Jays Care Foundation, the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, is proud to officially announce the expansion of its MLB-leading 50/50 program to Nova Scotia. The provincial governments of Ontario and Nova Scotia have agreed to a framework extending 50/50 sales to Blue Jays fans located in the province of Nova Scotia.

This expansion is the first of its kind in Canadian sports.

Jays Care’s 50/50 raffle program gives Blue Jays fans an exciting opportunity to win life-changing jackpots, while also raising important funds for kids in their local community. Half of the proceeds from each ticket sold go towards the grand prize jackpot, while the other half are invested directly into supporting kids in Jays Care programming. Sales occur both online and in-stadium during Blue Jays games throughout the season.

With this expansion, fans who purchase a 50/50 ticket in Ontario or Nova Scotia, are eligible to win the same grand prize, as well as all early bird prizes available after the time of purchase. All proceeds from tickets sold in Ontario and Nova Scotia, will be directly invested into supporting kids in Jays Care programs across that respective province.

Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball Awards

Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball Award
Presented annually to an individual(s) who advocates for and helps develop and grow Challenger Baseball in Nova Scotia.

2023 - Leanne Hillier and Brian Moore
2022 - Peggy MacDonald and Justin MacDonald
2021 - Wade Chisholm and Gehrig Crouse
2020 - COVID-19
2019 - Kelly MacIntosh-Scott and Mark Clare
2018 - Paige McNally and Craig Murray
2017 - Allison Kearley and Evelyn Shea
2016 - Trevor Kearley
2015 - Holly LaPierre

Daniel Arsenault Award
Presented annually to a Challenger Baseball athlete, buddy or volunteer who works to make his or her community better through acts of kindness and good deeds.

2023 - Andrew Fraser
2022 - Lauchlin Delorey and Drew MacIsaac
2021 - COVID-19
2020 - COVID-19
2019 - Van Bernard

2024 Atlantic Challenger Baseball Jamboree

Antigonish, Nova Scotia will host the inaugural Atlantic Challenger Baseball All-Star Series August 9th-11th, 2024. This event will see Challenger Baseball programs, players, buddies, volunteers, families, and coordinators from Newfoundland, New Brunswick, PEI, and Nova Scotia gather to play and celebrate Challenger Baseball.

The Sandlot

The Sandlot, Antigonish's fully accessible ball field, opened its gates on Saturday, July 20th. The grand opening was celebrated by hosting a baseball fun day and a Toronto Blue Jays Take Over Event for Challenger Baseball athletes. Thank you to all the individuals, businesses and groups who donated their time, funds and resources to make this field a reality.

2019 Toronto Blue Jays Winter Tour

Toronto Blue Jays arrived in Halifax to celebrate the 2019 Blue Jays Winter Tour with Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball athletes, buddies, coordinators and families. Devon Travis, Kevin Pillar, Luke Maile, Ryan Borucki, Danny Jansen and JP Arencibia participated in baseball drills and games with 40 athletes. Jamie Campbell and Jays Care Foundation staff were also on hand.

Congratulations Van Bernard - 2019 IWK Champion

Unstoppable Van

At the 2019 Toronto Blue Jays Curve Ball Gala, Van Bernard represented Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball and Challenger Baseball Canada as a special guest of Jays Care Foundation. Van had the opportunity to speak on stage with his buddy, Ryan, and meet members of the Toronto Blue Jays team during the event. Congratulations Van. You're a rock star.

2019 Jays Care Challenger Baseball Workshop

On May 4th and 5th, Challenger Baseball leaders from New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, participated in the Jays Care Challenger Baseball Workshop in Sackville, Nova Scotia. The workshop was led by Jays Care Foundation team members, and participants had the opportunity to interact and discuss best practices, engage in adapted activities and games and to share Challenger Baseball experiences and advice. Veteran members of the Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball team also made the transition from players to coaches by becoming official certified coaches during the weekend.

A special thank you to the Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation and Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball players and families for making this weekend another success.

Unstoppable Paige

Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball, Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball and Challenger Baseball Canada, would like to congratulate Paige McNally (Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball Athlete) on being named a Jays Care Unstoppable Kid. Paige will travel to Toronto in June to attend the Jays Care Curve Ball Gala. Paige will have an opportunity to speak and will be honoured at the event.

Paige has been a member of Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball for the past three years. Over this time, Paige has participated in numerous Challenger Baseball workshops, games, and Jamborees. Her motivation and drive for baseball are unmatched as is her passion and knowledge of the game. Her leadership on the ball field carries over into her community. She brings a positive attitude wherever she goes and is always willing to lend a helping hand to teammates and community members.

Jays Care Foundation defines an Unstoppable Kid as being tenacious, motivated, an incredible teammate and driven to be the best they can be as they work towards their goals. This accurately defines Paige. She truly is an amazing human being and an Unstoppable Kid.

2018 Jays Care Challenger Baseball Workshop

On May 5th and 6th, Challenger Baseball leaders from Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, participated in the Jays Care Challenger Baseball Workshop in Sackville, Nova Scotia. The workshop was led by Jays Care Foundation team members, and participants had the opportunity to interact and discuss best practices, engage in adapted activities and games and to share Challenger Baseball experiences and advice. A special thank you to the Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation and Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball players and families for making this weekend another success.

2017 Jays Care Challenger Baseball Workshop

On April 8th and 9th, Challenger Baseball leaders from Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, participated in the Jays Care Challenger Baseball Workshop in Sackville, Nova Scotia. The workshop was led by Jays Care Foundation team members - Lauren Simeson (Senior Manager, Programs), Alysha Socha (Challenger Baseball Program Specialist) and Josh Appel (Coach). Participants had the opportunity to discuss best practices, engage in adapted activities and games and to share Challenger Baseball experiences and advice. A special thank you to the Toronto Blue Jays, Jays Care Foundation and Hammonds Plains Challenger Baseball players and families for making this weekend a success.

2016 Toronto Blue Jays National Challenger Baseball Jamboree

Nova Scotia was well-represented at the 2016 Toronto Blue Jays National Challenger Baseball Jamboree on Saturday, June 11th at the Rogers Centre. Ninety-three players, buddies and family members represented Hammonds Plains and Antigonish Challenger Baseball. This is the first time a group from Nova Scotia has participated in the event. Thank you to all the individuals, businesses and groups that supported our fundraising efforts. Your support is greatly appreciated.

2016 RICOH Sport Awards

We are extremely honoured to announce that Nova Scotia Challenger Baseball is one of two programs that was awarded the 2016 Sport Nova Scotia RICOH Sport Makes a Difference Award. The award is presented to any individual, group, organization or committee that creates, establishes or initiates an innovative program or demonstrates an outstanding example of fair play.

Thank you to all the community coordinators, buddies, families and awesome children that make this program work. Our program received this award because of you. Thank you for all you do.

Atlantic Challenger Baseball All-Star Series