WELCOME

"Everyone deserves the chance to play no matter what their abilities are! Every child should get to experience the joy of hitting the ball, running the bases and crossing home plate to the sound of cheering fans!"
- Marci Dickerson, Founder Warrior League

ABOUT

WARRIOR LEAGUE

Welcome to the Warrior League, where every child can experience the joy of baseball! Our inclusive T-ball program at NMSU's Presley Askew Field is specially designed for children with special disabilities and their siblings in grades 1-6.

We believe in making America's favorite pastime accessible to all, which is why participation is entirely free, including a team hat and jersey for every player. Our ADA-compliant facility, adaptive equipment, and modified rules ensure that children of all abilities can participate fully and safely.

Each team is supported by skilled coaches trained in adaptive sports and NMSU Baseball players who provide on-field assistance during games. With space for 80 participants, your child will be part of a supportive community where fun, friendship, and baseball come together.

Applications are now open for our Fall 2025 Season- join us in creating lasting memories on the diamond!

HIGHLIGHTS

RULES

1. SUPERVISION & SAFETY

  • Parent, guardian, or caretaker must accompany child for all activities
  • No yelling or negative comments from participants or spectators
  • Shade tents and cold water provided for hydration

2. GAME STRUCTURE

  • Games held on Sunday afternoons
  • 45-minute games or 3 innings (whichever comes first)
  • Season schedule distributed at start
  • Pre-game warm-up includes skill-building and stretching
  • No outs recorded during play

3. BATTING FORMAT

  • All players bat each inning
  • Inning ends after entire team has batted
  • Batting helmets available
  • Adaptive equipment available for all ability levels

4. BASE RUNNING

  • Modified base layout with shorter distances
  • Each base features
    • Guide cone
    • Bell for players to ring when tagged
    • Players advance after ringing bell

5. FIELDING SYSTEM

  • Players place fielded balls in bucket at nearest base
  • Multiple balls rolled to outfield per batter
  • System ensures active participation for all fielders

6. EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

  • Soft baseballs
  • Lite colorful bats
  • Batting tees
  • Adaptive tee-stands
  • Musical home base
  • Buckets, bells, and cones

7. PLAYER SUPPORT

  • On-field assistance from
    • NMSU baseball players
    • League volunteers
    • Adaptive sports specialists
  • Parents/caregivers welcome to assist on field
  • Please inform league of any special requirements

SCHEDULE

Fall 2025 Season Information

Download our complete season guide with all the important information you need to know!

DOWNLOAD SEASON FLYER
Draft Day: Sunday, Sept 28
Schedule: Sept 28, October 5, October 12, October 19, October 26, November 2
NMSU - Presley Askew Field
Equipment list and what to bring

REAL TALK

"Warrior League to me is a big deal because in such a competitive town it’s hard for regular sports to include our kids and to have warrior league where they can play and belong is a blessing."

- Angelica (Parent)

"My son has been diagnosed with being intellectually disabled and has epilepsy. Having Warrior League is a life changer for him. He loves playing sports, but trying to find a team that would accept him with disabilities is so hard. So when I found out about Warrior League and told him about it, he was over the moon about it. He loves playing and having the opportunity to meet others like him. Thank you, Warrior League, for making this possible for him and others."

- Tiana (Parent)

""I don't have to BE the best, I have to DO my best""

- (Warrior League Player)

"I love watching the kids have fun and get out of their comfort zones!"

- (Parent)

OUR ALL-STARS

Marci Dickerson

Marci Dickerson - Founder

Meet Marci Dickerson, Founder and Executive Director of the Warrior League. A distinguished Las Cruces business leader and NMSU graduate, Marci channels her community connections and organizational expertise into making baseball accessible for all. Through strategic partnerships with NMSU Baseball and local supporters, she has created an inclusive baseball program that welcomes children with disabilities to experience America's favorite pastime. Her dedication to community service extends beyond sports, having founded impactful organizations like Revolution 120 and Cancer Warriors. In recognition of her contributions, Jardín de los Niños honored her with the 2023 Sports and Recreation Champion for Children Award. Under Marci's leadership, the Warrior League continues to break down barriers to participation, ensuring every child has the opportunity to play ball.

Thea Kavanaugh

Thea Kavanaugh - Adaptive Sports Director

Meet Thea Kavanaugh, our Adaptive Sports Director. A recreational therapist and community health educator, she brings decades of expertise in adaptive sports programming and inclusive coaching methods. Her impact on local inclusive sports is extensive, including implementing and coaching Project Unify Special Olympics and the National Archery in the Schools Program. Thea's passion for providing access to lifelong recreational and leisure pursuits for individuals with disabilities has transformed countless lives through meaningful participation and personal growth. Under her leadership, our adaptive t-ball program focuses on building confidence, fostering skills development, and celebrating each athlete's unique journey to success.

Thea Kavanaugh - Far right image

Betsy Ladd

Betsy Ladd - Adaptive Sports Specialist

Meet Betsy Ladd, our Adaptive Sports Specialist for Warrior League. She is a recreational therapist, and recently retired from the Las Cruces Public Schools. Throughout her career, she specialized in providing therapeutic recreation programs for children with disabilities, helping them develop essential life skills through engaging activities. Her extensive experience and passion for inclusive recreation make her an invaluable asset to our Warrior League team, where she continues to create meaningful opportunities for children of all abilities to thrive through sports.

Betsy Ladd - Center image

Art Green

Art Green - Adaptive Sports Specialist

Meet Art Green, our Adaptive Sports Specialist for Warrior League. An adapted PE teacher for Las Cruces Public Schools, Art brings extensive experience in making sports accessible for all abilities. His background as a former college baseball player and high school coach uniquely positions him to blend traditional baseball fundamentals with adaptive techniques. Art's dedication to inclusive physical education has impacted generations of students in our community, making him an invaluable leader in our program.

Art Green - Far left image

Marci Salinas-Milam

Marci Salinas-Milam - Program Coordinator

Meet Marci Salinas-Milam, our Warrior League Program Coordinator. With extensive experience in program development at NMSU, she brings strong organizational and leadership skills to our adaptive T-ball program. Her background in coordinating youth baseball programs and commitment to building character through sports makes her invaluable to our team. Marci's expertise in program planning ensures our league runs smoothly. Her dedication to creating meaningful athletic experiences helps make the Warrior League a welcoming space where every child can thrive.

ALL-STAR SUPPORTERS

These amazing organizations make the Warrior League possible through their generous support and commitment to inclusive sports.

Interested in becoming a sponsor? Help us expand our reach and impact even more young athletes!