Field of Ability
Background
Playing on older dirt fields over the years, Challenger Baseball athletes have faced many barriers that made it challenging for them to reach their full potential and really enjoy and benefit from the Challenger Baseball experience.
Traditional baseball fields can present a lot of physical and environmental barriers that make it difficult for some athletes to participate as independently as possible or even prevent them from playing at all.
From these challenges, the dream of the Field of Ability was born: to create a fully accessible, barrier-free facility where everyone can participate and have equal opportunity to reach their full potential. Inclusion was the focus of this project, giving every individual the opportunity to play baseball in a fun, safe environment with no barrier.
A Field of Ability Committee was established, with representative from Quinte Challenger Baseball, parents of Challenger Baseball athletes, local professionals from various related fields, and representatives from the City of Belleville. After three years of planning and fundraising, and a whirl wind of local and national support, the dream became a reality and the Field of Ability was established in 2020.
The Field of Ability joins a small handful of these types of facilities not only in Ontario, but across Canada. It is the only one of its kind anywhere between Toronto and Ottawa.
Quinte Challenger Baseball is proud to call the Field of Ability our new home!
Located at Parkdale Veterans Park, 119 Birch Street Belleville Ontario, Field of Ability is a barrier-free recreational facility that featuring:
- A completely rubberized baseball diamond playing surface
- Accessible dugouts with benches and roofs
- Full fencing
- A paved trail throughout park
- Bleachers with accessible seating options
- An accessible announcer’s booth
- A storage shed
- Access to accessible washrooms in Parkdale Community Centre
- Access to a fully accessible, barrier-free playground
- Access to a picnic shelter
- Access to a splash pad
What It Means To Us
This field is so much more than just a place to play ball. It is a place to give children, youth, and adults with disabilities equal opportunity to:
- Find a sense of belonging to a team
- Build self-confidence
- Encourage social and communication skills
- Increase physical activity
- Increase gross motor strength and endurance
- Build friendships and support systems for both parents and players
- Make lasting memories
The diamond includes a complete rubberized surface for easier mobility, promoting independent play and physical activity. The Facility is fully fenced to increase safety for high-risk runners and build self-esteem and confidence for those home run hitters. It includes accessible dugouts and benches for coaches and all players to gather as a team, with roofs for protection from the elements. There is also bleachers with accessible seating options to give families and fans the real baseball experience. It has paved parking and pathways, a fully accessible playground, a sheltered picnic area, splash pad, as well as accessible bathrooms.
Thank you!
The Field of Ability was truly an amazing show of community and the strength of diversity and inclusion. Quinte Challenger Baseball and the Field of Ability Community would like to extend a sincere THANK YOU so all sponsors and donors who helped make this dream a reality.
It took everyone who dropped a dollar in a donation jar, sold lemonade on the sidewalk, participated in a fundraising event, hosted or sponsored a fundraising event, and our major grant donors to make this happen. We look forward many years of enjoyment and we welcome all to come out and participate!
Use The Facility
Although designed as a baseball diamond, the goal was for the facility to be used for various adaptive sport and recreational purposes.
The Field of Ability is a City of Belleville facility. For questions or rental inquires click here to visit the City of Belleville Facilities and Rentals webpage.
