For Amanda Ehinger, being part of East County Little League’s Challenger Division in Oakley, California, is more than just another volunteer opportunity. Her passion for the program is personal. She is a mother of two wonderful children with special needs and works in a clinic for children with special needs.
“Many leagues don’t have Challenger programs, and that’s what makes East County Little League so special,” said Ehinger. “There are plenty of families that come to our league just to be part of the special experience that Challenger offers.”
As Ehinger became more involved, she realized it was never the wins and the losses that mattered to the players. She has been working for five years with the Challenger Division to provide children with the same opportunity as everyone else who loves the sport. Her energetic spirit and passionate heart deliver an unforgettable experience to everyone involved.
“The gratitude seen on the players’ and families’ faces is special, and there is truly no other experience that conveys the same emotion,” said Ehinger.
Those rewarding experiences will be felt by hundreds this August as Ehinger and her East County Little Leaguers were selected as one of two teams to travel to Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for the 2026 Little League Challenger Division® Exhibition Game, Presented by Eggland’s Best, as part of Championship Weekend of the Little League Baseball® World Series, Presented by T-Mobile. When Ehinger found out about this opportunity, she was overcome with emotion.
“This is an example of what this program can become one day. We need more coaches, and we need to spread this inclusive effort everywhere,” said Ehinger. “I am grateful that our East County Little League Challenger kids get the opportunity to represent our community in Williamsport.”
Recognized as the July 2026 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, Little League® sat down with Ehinger for a Diamond Leader Discussion:
Why do you think it is important for coaches and volunteers in a Challenger Division to take the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program?
There is the collaboration, the communication, and the connection to the families. There’s the connection to the community and the organization that is so important to understand about this program. The goal of Diamond Leader Training is to put the kids first and ensure their safety while giving them the most fun experience. The kids just want to have fun with their friends, and this program teaches us how to achieve that fun for them.
Why should someone volunteer as a Little League coach, specifically in the Challenger Division Program?
There are so many aspects to the Challenger Division that you can’t find anywhere else. This sense of togetherness and inclusion touches the depths of any soul. This program is humbling, and the parents are grateful on a whole other level. The players don’t care about the score, the expensive equipment, or being selected for the All-Star team; they care about the friends they have met that they get to play with. The emotion you see from the players, opponents, and families is something so special, and it gives anyone watching a new, clear perspective.
What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader, and why should others strive to be the same?
To be a Diamond Leader is to be your authentic self, but also to be there for the players and the families. Communication is key, but safety is number one. If anything, if all else fails, ask questions because there are no silly ones. District Administrators and our local board are always helpful, and I always feel supported. Being a Diamond Leader means I work to be a leader on the field for the players so that they can develop on and off the field in life. It is a pleasure to see the players develop as a whole person. The Challenger Division will definitely change you.
The Little League Diamond Leader program, which was first piloted with nearly 1,000 Little League volunteers throughout the 2022 season, was created as part of the Susan Crown Exchange’s Million Coaches Challenge and developed in coordination with the Aspen Institute’s Project Play. Focused on ensuring children have a positive, well-rounded experience on and off the field, the Little League Diamond Leader Training Program is a FREE educational resource that provides coaches with an understanding of the impact that mental, social, and emotional well-being has in youth sports through detailed information, interactive scenarios, and a variety of additional resources. Learn more and become a Diamond Leader yourself by visiting LittleLeague.org/DiamondLeader.
The Little League Challenger Division is proudly supported by Eggland’s Best, the Official Egg of Little League Baseball and Softball. An official sponsor since 2023, Eggland’s Best provides grant opportunities to local Challenger Division leagues each year and is the presenting sponsor of the Little League Challenger Division Exhibition Game at the Little League Baseball World Series each August.