The Lincoln Little League wants to create a field of dreams for local youths ages 4-18 with developmental disabilities. Lincoln Little League is holding a January information session discussing fielding a team in the international baseball organization’s Challenger Division.

The Lincoln County “Dream Team” would be comprised of challenged youths looking to participate in baseball. Little League’s Challenger Division was established in 1989. More than 30,000 youth participate in over 900 Challenger Divisions worldwide, according to Little League’s website.

Lincoln Little League wants to gauge community support for sponsoring a team or teams. The league is hosting a meeting with participants interested in sponsoring a local team. The Lincoln Dream Team would be one of a handful in Maine. According to Lincoln Little League president Paul Miner, Portland has two teams and Saco and Ellsworth have one each.

Last summer, he watched a Challenge Division game in Ellsworth.

“It was a real special event. People traveled a great distance for the opportunity to play,” Miner said. “We want Little League available to all kids. So the meeting is to discuss how to make that happen.”

The inspiration to bring the Challenger Division to Lincoln County came from Miner’s nephew, Daniel Harris. He is a four-year-old with cerebral palsy. Miner recently had the family over to watch football. During halftime, the family played touch football. Seeing that Daniel wanted to join his cousins, Miner strapped him on his back so his nephew could participate.

“He was laughing and giggling uncontrollably. He had the best time of his life,” Miner said. “Then it hit me.  Why aren’t we doing this here for kids with similar challenges.”

The information session is for recruiting volunteers. Miner isn’t sure how many youths will sign up for the new league.

“Right now, we are looking for enough volunteers to make this happen,” he said. “As far as participation, it will be like the regular league. We won’t know until there is a sign-up.”

The Lincoln Little League information session will take place at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 10 in the Newcastle Fire Department Community Room. The fire department is located on River Road.