Cause for Celebration

YMCA Challenger 20th anniversary banner featuring photos of athletes and families surrounding a commemorative jersey.

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TWO DECADES. ONE UNFORGETTABLE LINEUP.

📅 Saturday, September 12, 2026
🕙 3-6 p.m. - Game and after party
📍 Urban Youth Academy - 1622 E. 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108

Thanks to all who helped celebrate 20 years of the YMCA Challenger Program! From the first pitch to the after party, it was an afternoon filled with big smiles, great plays and even bigger moments. Most of all, it was a celebration of the athletes, families, Buddies, volunteers and supporters who make Challenger such a special community.

See Event Highlights!

Watch the video below to see some of the highlights and joy of a special day.

CELEBRATING BELONGING

A DOUBLEHEADER DAY

Close-up of a baseball sitting on the baseline on a field

THE ALL-STAR CLASSIC

Urban Youth Academy

1622 E. 17th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64108

3:00–4:30 p.m. · Main Field

♦ Two innings, four teams — the All-Stars open the day with some of Challenger's most seasoned athletes, the players who helped build the program into what it is today. Then the Futures take the field, featuring our newest players as they begin their Challenger journey.

♦ Walk-up music for every athlete, full PA energy, and on-field interviews with players and coaches.

♦ A family day built for everyone with popcorn, giveaways and lots of cheering.

♦ Teal-and-orange ballpark energy from first pitch to final out.

AFTER-PARTY

Negro Leagues Baseball Museum · 18th & Vine

1616 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108

4:30–6:00 p.m.

♦ Heavy appetizers, cocktails and live music to keep the celebration rolling.

♦ Player trading cards and big heads — plus a commemorative swag upgrade.

♦ A player press conference — our All-Stars and Futures take the mic.

♦ Tour the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum and close out the afternoon with us.

Meet Our Co-Chairs

Mark Moberly and Kerri Stowell

Meet The Emcees

Nick Vasos, Fox 4 Anchor, and Rex Hudler, KC Royals Commentator

Meet the Lineup

Collect the Whole Team

Meet the athletes taking the field for the Challenger All-Star Classic.

Legends

Icons

Stars

Sluggers

The Challenger Story Featured on FOX4

Hear about two decades of adaptive sports in Kansas City and the upcoming Challenger All-Star Classic in this episode of the FOX4 Kansas City's Morning Brunch Podcast. Mark Moberly, YMCA of Greater Kansas City Board Member and 21+ year Challenger advocate, joins his wife, FOX4’s Kerri Stowell, and FOX4 meteorologist Michelle Bogowith to talk all things Challenger. Mark and Kerri are co-chairs of this year’s All-Star Classic.