For Gary Brooks, being part of Berwyn-Paoli Area Little League’s Challenger Division is more than just another volunteer opportunity. His passion for the program is personal. It began when his son was ready to move on from Tee Ball, and they needed to explore other options that would be a better fit for his abilities.
“We knew there was a Challenger Division in Berwyn-Paoli,” said Brooks. “We knew a few other families that were there, so we decided to give it a shot, and I pretty quickly got hooked.”
As Brooks became more involved, it was never the wins and the losses that mattered most to him. As he began transitioning from a parent in the stands to a coach on the field, it was the enthusiasm and excitement shining through the athletes that provided the inspiration to return to the diamond each season.
“When you see the smiles on the kids and young adults faces, and when they have success on the field, it is such a rewarding experience,” said Brooks.
That rewarding experiences will be felt by hundreds this August as Brooks and his Berwyn-Paoli Area LL 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 Brooks found out about this opportunity, he was overcome with emotion.
“It is an overwhelming honor, and it is a real testament to all our hardworking volunteers, our incredible athletes, and the program we have built over all these years,” said Brooks. “We are humbled by this opportunity and can’t wait to represent our community in Williamsport.”
Recognized as the May 2026 Little League Diamond Leader of the Month, Little League® sat down with Brooks 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?
If you look at coaching in a Challenger Division or even another division of Little League, you’ve got a lot of similarities in what you hope to get out of a team. First and foremost, you want to make sure that the players have fun and are all developing their skills and confidence on the field. That’s what the Diamond Leader training is really focused on – making sure your focus as a is not just on wins and losses.
What lessons from the training do you plan to carry in future seasons?
When we’re teaching our Challenger players, just like any other Little League player, we’re teaching life skills that will help them far beyond the baseball field. You talk about hard work, perseverance, and dealing with adversity. You teach the importance of being a good teammate and demonstrating good sportsmanship. All those values that we stress to our players are meant to help our Challenger players succeed off the field, just as they help every Little Leaguer® succeed off the field. Those are the kinds of lessons reinforced through the Diamond Leader training and the values we try to instill in our players throughout the season, so they have success both on and off the field.
Why should someone volunteer as a Little League coach, specifically in the Challenger Division Program?
I think the rewards you get from this program are incredible. Throughout the 15 years that I have been involved, it has been extremely rewarding to work with players who may be young and struggle to hit the ball off the tee. Then, years later, you’re throwing overhand to them, and they are hitting the ball right back at you. The real reward comes from watching those players develop and seeing the pure joy they experience when they succeed on the field. The smiles on their faces are what truly inspires you to stay involved in the Challenger Division. It’s not just the players. The families become part of the community as well. They come together to support one another and celebrate each athlete’s journey. Over time, those relationships grow into a strong support network that extends far beyond the field.
What does it mean to you to be a Diamond Leader, and why should others strive to be the same?
From a Diamond Leader’s perspective, one of the most important responsibilities on the field is setting the tone for others to follow. Great leaders inspire coaches around them to adopt the same approach to coaching. That means creating a positive experience for players, making sure they are having fun, and teaching the game the right way. When leaders model that kind of environment, they encourage others to get involved and carry that same philosophy forward.
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.