Championship Weekend for the Little League Baseball World Series kicked off with its annual Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game on Saturday morning between Woburn Little League from Woburn, Massachusetts, and Wyoming Valley Little League, from near Wilkes-Barre.

The Little League Challenger Division is its adaptive baseball program for individuals with physical and intellectual challenges. Every year, two teams from across the country are chosen by Little League to compete in Volunteer Stadium.

Erin Gately, of Woburn, found out in April that her son’s team would be participating this year.

“I didn’t realize the impact of it right away, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these kids,” Gately said.

Her son, Jack Gately, 20, has played in the Challenger Division for the last 15 years. The team plays weekly during the season.

“It’s one of his favorite things,” Gately said. “He loves all types of sports. He loves the social aspect. He gets to play with all of his friends during the baseball season.”

The team arrived Thursday and spent Friday trading pins, going to the Little League Museum and practicing on Original Field, which she said was an incredible experience.

“The fact that the coaches and volunteers make this happen every year has been amazing.” Gately said. “I’m so grateful to the people that coach our kids and let them be part of a team.”

She prepared Jack for the exhibition game by talking about it a lot and watching videos from past events.

“The city has been super supportive,” Gately said. “There’s been a lot of fundraising and donations to make sure we had a great experience.”

Before the game, players received new jerseys to wear. Each player’s number corresponded with a player’s number from the 1975 Red Sox team that went to the World Series. Woburn Little League president, Mark Cavicchi picked the reference because he thought it was a good time to do it since they would be coming to Williamsport, he said.

“This is an experience I’ll never forget,” Cavicchi said.

Knowing their season would be a little longer this year gave the families who already knew each other more time to spend together, he said.

“All the players’ families became close,” Cavicchi said. “It’s been amazing to watch.”

Karen Shaffer, of Mountain Top, was at the game to cheer on her son, Benjamin Shaffer, 13, on the Wyoming Valley team.

“We got picked for this amazing game,” Shaffer said.

Benjamin has played in the Challenger Division for the last nine years, which she called a joy.

“It’s pure bliss,” Shaffer said. “It’s incredible. It’s my son having fun and being part of a group.”

The community rallied around the team and supported them with dinners and parades, she said.

“(Being at the stadium) is overwhelming,” Shaffer said. “There are so many emotions, tears and smiles.”

When it was Benjamin’s turn at bat, he found his family and gave them a thumbs up from the field. He threw his arms up in a cheer and danced when he got to first base. When he slid into home plate, he blew kisses to the crowd.

Kurt Misialek, Eggland’s Best president and CEO, spoke before the game began, dedicating most of his words to the families that came out to support the players.

“Coaches, parents, your dedication to your children blows me away,” Misialek said.

He announced the winners of the pin contest, where a player from each team gets to design their own pin, were Charlotte from Woburn and Jack from Wyoming Valley. Each player would receive both of the pins and they were also distributed to fans during the game.

“I hope you’ll wear them around Williamsport with pride,” Misialek said.

He said Eggland’s Best loved being at the Challenger Exhibition game.

“It’s one of my favorite days of the year,” Misialek said. “This is about the players. We’re all here to root for these amazing athletes. You’re the stars.”

Each player received a medal before the game began to the cheers of their families, fans and several of the participating teams from the Little League World Series. Also encouraging the players was the third-base coach for both teams: Johnny Damon, Major League Baseball player.

During the game, each player was able to hit the ball, whether thrown by their coach or on a tee and run the bases. While players ran, some assisted by a buddy, defense threw the ball to their teammates, giving everyone a chance to play. As each player got to base, the umpires called them safe and gave them a high five or a fist bump.

The umpires rotated bases during the game and when the last player was running home, they all came out to call him safe.

Once the game ended, the Little League teams came out to spend time with the players, along with Mickey Mouse in his baseball uniform.

Ben Hartranft, a self-described public speaker with autism, attended the Challenger game for the first time this year. He did a lot with the Special Olympics over the years, which he said helped make him who he is today and he believes the Challenger Division does the same thing for its participants.

“I think it’s an amazing opportunity for awareness,” Hartranft said. “We’re all family. We’re all winners.”